International students renting your property is a win-win situation for UK landlords as it assures a steady cash flow and the possibility of long tenancies. However, it also brings a few issues that require you to communicate clearly and be precise in what you say. To attract the best tenants and keep your property dispute-free, make sure that you showcase your property in the right light and describe it accurately in our student accommodation listing so that the applicants from abroad can instantly compare the features. An accurately prepared advertisement, along with a brief welcome pack, can prevent the most frequent misunderstandings and can also help the landlord to communicate the expectations from the very beginning of the cooperation.
International students are a great pool of different cultures, and they might have different levels of understanding of the UK tenancy systems, so it is helpful for all if you provide them with guidance beforehand. This article addresses the landlords of the UK and concentrates on practical, legal, and cultural aspects you can instantly implement to have smooth and long-lasting tenancies.
What causes misunderstandings?
Many of the misunderstandings have language as a starting point, different rental customs, and assumptions about what is included. A short sentence, a few words of local slang or complex legal terms may confuse a tenant whose first language is not English. Also, cultures differ in habits regarding shared spaces, cleaning, and noise, so what the landlord considers normal may be new to the international tenant.
Language or terminology gaps
Different expectations about bills
Different standards of cleanliness
Assumptions about furnishings and Wi-Fi
Being careful with the words in the listing and having a conversation upfront lessens the risk of misunderstanding. When landlords explain terms like deposit protection, inventory, and joint liability in a simple way and also confirm these details by writing, tenants understand their responsibilities and rights better.
Misunderstandings often come from a small issue, and once they are allowed to develop, they become bigger. Due to language differences, legal or rental terms may be unclear to the tenants, while the cultural norms will determine their behaviour related to noise, guests, and cleaning. Even the simplest things, like whether Wi-Fi is included or the garden is shared, can become a source of friction. By spotting the most common problems early and writing about them, you avoid confusion, save time from disputes and build up positive landlord-tenant relationships that will result in the care of the property and on-time rent payments.
How can landlords improve clarity?
The proper communication is initiated even before the tenancy is arranged, and it goes on through the contract period and while moving in. Landlords can apply simple language in adverts and agreements, issue a brief glossary of common tenancy terms, and confirm the main points by writing so that international tenants will be able to check the details later themselves. A friendly, professional manner of communication persuades tenants to ask questions and thus lowers the chances of misunderstanding.
Employ simple English in adverts and contracts
Offer a glossary of tenancy terms
Confirm verbal agreements by email
Provide translated key points if necessary
Enhancing clarity gives landlords more time and lowers the chance of them being caught in a risky situation. Instead of using jargon, employ the everyday language, make it clear what is included and what is not, and use numbered bullet points to highlight, for instance, the rent date, the rules related to the deposit, and the maintenance procedures. If tenants are given a written document of what has been discussed verbally, they feel more comfortable and hence, misunderstandings take place less frequently. In case a translation is necessary, translate only those few lines that are necessary instead of the whole document, so that the cost remains affordable and the understanding is made easier. To get more information on how communication can also be a means for emotional well-being, check our blog on How UK Landlords Can Help Homesick International Students.
How to set expectations?
Setting expectations at the very beginning of the cooperation means that everyone understands what is included, who pays for utilities, and how the shared spaces should be used. By using a welcome pack or a pre-move-in email, you can inform students about payment dates, cleanliness standards, noise hours, and emergency procedures so that they can get used to the new environment quickly. One of the advantages of clearly stating expectations is that the landlord will have to face fewer awkward conversations later, and also, a professional tone will be established.
Prepare a welcome pack for tenants
Indicate what the rent covers and what it does not
Illustrate house rules and quiet hours
Inform about maintenance issues reporting
Properly set expectations are the foundation of a successful tenancy. An appropriate welcome pack that covers payment methods, bill responsibilities, and contact details will help international tenants to feel safe. House rules have to be a mixture of rights and obligations, and they also have to explain the cleaning rotas, the behaviour in the communal areas, and the usage of the guest rooms. Clear directions on how to report a repair and the expected response times will not only calm the tenants down but will also help to solve the issue when there is a dispute about responsibility and timing. If you need additional support, you may take a look at another article from us, "How UK Landlords Can Help Homesick International Students", where the author talks about how empathy can help to understand one another better.
How can technology help?
Technology is a great way to clear up confusion as it keeps documents, messages, and payments in a single place that both parties can easily get to. In such a manner, photo-based inventories, video walkthroughs, e-signed documents, and a single messaging channel may be employed to avert fragmented conversations. Even the simplest of translation apps for quick messages can be quite helpful and extremely useful in tenants who are still trying to hone their English skills.
Make use of photo and video inventories
Provide virtual tours of the property
Perform all communication via a single platform
Implement e-signatures and computerised receipts
If the appropriate tools are employed, the communication process can be repeated, and there can be a record of it. Pictures of the property show the condition before moving in, videos help remote tenants familiarise themselves with the property, and contracts with e-signatures make it official. Putting together messages from different apps and platforms prevents agreements from being lost in different places. Also, Digital receipts, as well as maintenance request forms, which are easy to reach, help in building trust and giving an indication of the time when the actions were taken and by whom.
How to manage cultural differences?
Being culturally sensitive will help you avoid misinterpreting your tenants and at the same time, it will facilitate proper reactions of the landlords towards them. Try to understand the basic cultural norms and motivate tenants to share what is important to them. Through the use of an inclusive method in combination with firm but fair rules, it will be possible for tenants coming from different countries to adjust to the environment, thus allowing the property and the harmony of the household to be preserved.
Know the basic cultural expectations
Allow open discussions about different customs
Provide flexibility in meeting cultural needs
Give local info and support links
To successfully deal with cultural differences, one has to be patient and have a questioning spirit. Some of the students may not directly disagree with you, thus the need for you to be proactive in checking with them. Instead of giving abstracts of the rules, show them clear examples of the acceptable behaviour, and if need be, be prepared to give explanations as to why certain rules exist in the UK. Small things like landlords showing understanding of cultural festivals or dietary needs can, in turn, lead to building a good relationship and hence, less chance of the wrong interpretation or resentment. If you want some more tips, check our related article, Top ways to make international students feel welcome, which focuses on the aspects of inclusive communication and community building.
What mistakes should landlords avoid?
There is a series of mistakes that can be referred to as "repeat offenders" which increase the risk of misunderstandings, ranging from vague listings to poor record-keeping and inconsistent enforcement of rules. Do not assume what international tenants are aware of and, at the same time, never rely only on verbal agreements. Processes that are clear and consistent serve as a shield for both parties and thus, any disagreement will be easy to sort out.
Vague or misleading listings
Dependence on verbal agreements
Irregular enforcement of rules
Poor inventory or documentation
Typical mistakes can be easily corrected, which is why they are usually overlooked; however, they can cost you a lot if you do so. A precise and truthful listing will help you avoid the disappointment of the tenants when they come to move in. Always make a record of the agreements you have made, take photos with dates, and keep a ledger of payments and repairs. Rules should be enforced equally for everyone; also, the reasons for them should be given to prevent accusations of unfair treatment. These practical steps will help in lowering the number of disagreements and, at the same time, will save you from wasting your time and legal fees in the long run. If you want to discover more, please have a look at our guide Common Mistakes UK Landlords Make With International Students, which provides you with real examples from UK rental experiences.
Conclusion
The main point when trying to avoid misunderstandings with international students is to be clear, consistent, and show empathy. Communicate with tenants using simple language in adverts and agreements, give a concise welcome pack, consolidate communication with photos and digital documents, and regularly check in so that what are essentially small issues do not escalate into disputes. Set expectations at the beginning of the cooperation regarding bills, cleaning, and guest policies, and then follow through with the consistent processes for repairs and complaints.
Having a single platform to list your property and manage bookings makes the majority of these tasks not only easier but also more comforting for both landlords and tenants. If you are looking for practical tools, managed messaging, and tenant matching that are specifically designed for the student market, then StudentTenant.com is the place to be to start working on your tenancy process improvement today.