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  • 23 August 2007

Book shows how to be a good student landlord


Bookcover of The Landlords Guide to Student Letting by Catherine Bancroft-Rimmer.

Bookcover of The Landlord's Guide to Student Letting by Catherine Bancroft-Rimmer.

Landlords who want to let properties to students could pick up a few professional tips from University of Sussex Housing Services Manager Catherine Bancroft-Rimmer - she's just had a book published on the subject.

The Landlord's Guide to Student Letting (£10.99, How To Books) is aimed at people who want to invest in properties for student tenants. Catherine, who runs the University's housing office and advises on student accommodation on the local private-rented sector, is also a landlord to student tenants. She says: "I take landlords through the process of selecting and managing properties for student occupation. I believe that a professional attitude to letting will result in happier tenants and happier communities as well as happier landlords."

She adds: "The market and the legislation are constantly changing and it is ever more important that you ensure you are operating within the law and keep up to date with how you can best market your investment. "

Catherine also offers five top tips for landlords who want to keep their tenants and local neighbourhoods happy:

  • Make sure that tenants know that an unreasonable amount of noise is a breach of their tenancy agreement and can result in hefty fines from the local council if neighbours complain.
  • Make sure that gardens in student properties are well-maintained and either employ a gardener or give the tenants the appropriate equipment to keep grass and shrubbery under control. Front gardens, in particular, affect the look of the area.
  • Give your tenants a "house pack" when they move in, full of useful information about the local area and ensure they know what days they should put out their rubbish and recycling.
  • Check your property regularly and ensure it is well-maintained. Dripping overflow pipes and blocked gutters can affect neighbouring properties as well as your own.
  • Ensure that the neighbours either side of your property have your contact details in case they have problems. Not only will this help them if your tenants are causing problems, but it will encourage them to inform you if tenants are not treating your property well.

Catherine adds: "There are very few certainties in business and, if there were, making money would be far too easy and not as much fun - apparently. However, for most of us who are simply not rich enough to get a kick from risking our money we want as many certainties and as much control as possible before entering into any financial venture.

Notes for editors

  • Catherine Bancroft-Rimmer lives in Brighton with her two teenage sons. She currently represents the University on the Brighton & Hove Strategic Housing Partnership, so she has a good overview of local housing issues and the impact of student housing on an area. She is a member of the National Federation of Residential Landlords (NFRL) and currently chairs the Brighton & Hove branch of the NFRL.
  • The Landlord's Guide To Student Letting is published is available in major bookshops and online retailers across the country. ISBN: 978-1-84528-189-2 See HowToBooks
  • For interviews, contact Katie Read on 07837 485642 katie@katieread.co.uk and for review copies contact Joanne Salt at How To Books Ltd. Tel: 01865 309589 joanne.salt@howtobooks.co.uk

University of Sussex Press office contacts: Maggie Clune or Jacqui Bealing. Tel 01273 678209 or email press@sussex.ac.uk

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