Is your student property sitting empty for an extended period of time due to COVID and the long Christmas break? This is an unusual time to be living through for more reasons than one, but do not fear. There are things that you can do to maximise this downtime and ensure that your student property is both put to good use and is in the best possible condition for when your tenants return.
Inspect your student property thoroughly
Having your property sit unoccupied for a prolonged period is a good time to carry out an in-depth inspection to check its general condition and for any issues that may need addressing. Check the external and internal infrastructure to identify any problems with the building, as well as going through the property room by room to assess any damage that may need repairing or furniture that needs replacing. Check the electrics and plumbing for any faults that may need addressing. You may even find the property could do with being decorated, in which case this is the perfect time to do so. A thorough inspection now will save you time and money down the line by catching any issues before they get worse. For an efficient way to manage your inspection and keep track of any issues that arise, download the Inventorybase app via our website.
Carry out maintenance and cleaning
This is also a good opportunity to carry out any extensive maintenance that needs doing, as well as deep cleaning, which may not have been done for a while. Check the government guidelines for COVID-friendly cleaning advice and a list of recommended products to use to ensure that your cleaning routine is compliant. With many outbreaks reported in student residences since the beginning of the academic term, this is a good time to get on top of the hygiene and cleanliness of your student property. Don’t forget to use appropriate PPE to protect yourself from infection.
Prepare the property for potential new tenants
Depending on the type of contract you have with the students renting your property, you may need to prepare for tenancies ending early. If your tenants have a fixed term agreement, students can legally end the tenancy early if there is a break clause in place. In this case, the contract will stipulate the notice period required. You may also choose to negotiate surrender of the property, in which case you as the landlord will agree to the tenants ending the agreement early. If your tenants have a periodic agreement, they will be required to give a minimum of 28 days’ notice in writing before they can end their tenancy. In both cases, it may be a good idea to have the next group of tenants lined up in order to avoid losing out on income.
Take advantage of short-term letting opportunities
Is your town a popular holiday destination? If your property has been vacated by students going home due to COVID and the Christmas break, this might be a good time to advertise your property for short-term rental. With Christmas just around the corner, families may be looking to get away as a change to being confined to their own homes after an extended period of lockdown. People may also be looking to visit family for the holiday season and needing short-term accommodation nearby. Research the best websites to advertise your property for this purpose. Ensure you have attractive up-to-date photos that show the property to its best advantage and create a listing for your property.
InventoryBase offers a simple cost-neutral and effective system for inventory checks and more. Our revolutionary property inspection app gives you peace of mind for property inspections, inventory property management, as well as being an efficient way to check tenants in and out of properties fast, ready for the next occupants to move in. Easy to use and great for both residential and business properties, our app allows you to manage several properties at once with ease. With excellent customer loyalty and round-the-clock friendly customer support, InventoryBase is sure to be your go-to solution for all your property management and inventory needs.