As a student landlord, you’ll be fully aware of all the jobs required to be carried out at the end of the tenancy in preparation for the next wave of student tenants.

 Check out our all-in-one landlord checklist you must check out in preparation for the next academic year.

 

1. Cleaning

The most important job once your old tenants move out is cleaning the whole property; there’s nothing worse as a tenant than moving into a student house to discover some mess.

  • Hire a professional cleaner to clean part or all of the house. It’s quite likely that appliances and rooms have not been cleaned well enough for your new tenants so there will be a build-up of dirt and grime.
  • Tenants are in charge of dealing with the daily cleaning and maintenance of your rental property; both inside and the garden, driveway and patios. They could be held liable and charged the bill for cleaning your property and maintenance of the garden at the end of the tenancy via the deposit.

Tip: Once you’ve cleaned your rental property, you must remove any bin-bags. Nothing it worse on move-in day than seeing a bunch of black sacks outside the property.

 

2. Damage & Maintenance
2.1 Landlords

  • Landlords are responsible for structural maintenance of the building and key interior fixtures and fittings; toilets, sinks and boilers, heating and cold water, chimney and ventilation and electrical wiring.
  • Landlords are responsible for accidental damage to the property by neighbours and any vandalism as a result of a crime.
  • Landlords are subject to fair wear and tear. New carpets in a used condition, window frames painting peeling due to wind and rain and scuffs or scrapes on walls. 

 2.2 Tenants

  • Student tenants are responsible for cleaning and any damage to the interior of the property. This includes damage to doors and cabinets, mould in silicone and grouting and responsibility to keep the property warm and not blocking any ventilation.

 

3. Safety Checks

  • A twelve-month gas safety check must be carried out by a certified and registered engineer to ensure your property aligns to safety regulations. A copy of the safety certificate must be supplied to the new student tenants before the tenancy begins.
  • An EPC check is required every ten years, so your property may need a new certificate. Find an accredited domestic energy assistant to undertake an Energy Performance Certificate so your property is assessed and valid.
  • All properties are legally required to have smoke detectors on every floor of the property. You may be required to install them and/or check the power supply and alarm.

 

4. Change Locks

Before your tenants move into your property, we suggest changing all the locks.

Changing locks might seem overkill but by switching new ones in, you are protecting your new tenants and their belongings as well as your property from any insurance liabilities.

 

5. Inventory Checklist

Inventory checklists are the most important agreement between students and landlords. Should there be any discrepancies come the end of a tenancy, both sides have proof of the condition of the property on move-in day.

  • Take photos or videos and create an inventory check of everything in the property and ensure both parties agree to the document and sign them.  There are plenty of third party options to submit the inventory images and agreements.