Bristol Student Property Blog

Whether you’re a landlord with one House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) property or a whole portfolio, owning a buy-to-let property is a substantial investment and ensuring you have the right landlord insurance in place is crucial. Having the right landlord’s insurance gives you the safeguards and protection should something happen to the building or your tenants.

There are many different types of specialist landlord insurance and it will depend on your circumstances as to which cover options they build into a policy. This guide will detail some of the key areas to consider, but please speak to your insurance provider as the terms will vary between companies.

With the huge rise in energy costs in the past couple of years, making your HMO property more energy efficient has never been more beneficial to a landlords, especially if rooms are let and include bills.

Student and young professionals, despite their tighter budgets, are still keen to do what they can to reduce their carbon footprint and choosing to rent a more energy efficient property is important to this group, and even more so if bills are not included in the rent.

With the cost of living having increased substantially in the last few years, student tenants and their landlords are feeling the effects. However, there are ways that HMO landlords, letting agents and students can work together to help minimise living costs for tenants.

In this blog we’ll look at 6 key areas where proactive measures could help student tenants and landlords reduce rental costs.

As a landlord you want to maximise your investment in your HMO properties, whilst providing good accommodation for your tenants. With 35% of households living in social or private rented accommodation, there is good demand for rental property, but attracting a certain demographic and investing in your property takes careful consideration to ensure you get a return on your investment.

In this blog we look at the 12 ways landlords can add value to an HMO rental property and appeal to their ideal tenants, whilst keeping an eye on the budget and yield.

Since 2017 the number of limited companies being set up by landlords holding properties has tripled, with 300,000 being recorded in 2022. In fact, it is estimated that 40% of all new buy to let purchases are now made via a company structure.

This change in legal entity for many landlords of student properties was brought about by the alternations in the tax relief system which was announced in 2015, known as Section 24 and changed how landlords were taxed on their rental income.

This blog looks at why landlords with a portfolio of student houses have started switching to owning properties as a limited company and the pros and cons of such a move.

As a student or young professional, when looking to rent a private property or a room in a house of multiple occupancy (HMO) you, the prospective tenant, may be asked to provide a guarantor. This is someone who is legally responsible for the rent, if you don’t or can’t pay or for any damage that occurs during your tenancy.

So, you’ve found a great student property for you and your mates, signed a contract and now you need to pay the tenancy deposit also known as a rental deposit.

Tenancy deposits are a critical part of renting a property as a student, acting as a security which provides landlords with protections should any damage occur to the property.  In this blog we’ll look at the ins and outs of rental deposits, what they are, how they are protected and what to do it if you have any issues in receiving it back at the end of a tenancy.

If you're a UK landlord looking to expand your student or HMO property portfolio or simply interested in buying a property to let, you may want to consider purchasing at an auction.

Property auctions can offer great deals and opportunities to buy properties that may not be available through traditional channels.

However, it's also important to be aware of the potential pitfalls and risks involved in buying at an auction so that you can weigh up the pros and the cons.

If you’re a landlord or interested in buying a property to let, the turbulent economic situation of recent months may have put you off investing in this venture.

Inheriting a property or being responsible for a second home can come with the question of whether it should be sold and the cash banked or whether to use it as an investment opportunity and let it out to students as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO).

When letting a new in multiple occupation (HMO) property, deciding the rate to charge students is one of the most important aspects of being a landlord.

Charge too high, and you risk putting potential students off and missing the critical chance to ensure your property is occupied for the new term.

Technology is integrated into almost every aspect of our lives, so why should finding a student property be any different?

Void periods are without doubt one of the key factors affecting the profitability of HMO (house in multiple occupation) buy-to-let properties.

Of course, no landlord wants to have periods where there are no students in their property as it means missing out on rental income, however rushing to find new tenants without the proper screening procedures often means shorter tenancies and more disputes which is counterproductive in the long term.

Luckily, there are some simple things you can do to minimise and even avoid these frustrating tenancy voids.

Many people explore the student buy-to-let market for a range of reasons, the most common being to make profitable revenue.

While investing in HMOs is a popular way to generate a passive source of income and enable financial freedom, with the many rules and regulations involved, it can be daunting too.

In our guide for first time student landlords, we break down the key considerations for anyone thinking of renting out a property for the first time.

So, whether you’re looking to let out your first student property, or have aspirations of building a HMO portfolio, the following tips and advice can help you manage your property successfully.

Investing in a HMO has long been an attractive option for many landlords, but with the large costs and strict legislation involved, many are questioning whether or not it's still a lucrative investment in 2022. Find out our thoughts. 

We are one of the first letting agents in Bristol to offer this immersive way to view properties without being there physically; properties can be viewed on a computer, mobile phone, tablet or even with a virtual reality headset.

If university is going to be your first experience of living with people other than your family, take a look at our top tips for surviving shared living as a student.

American films, TV shows and your Dad’s endless story’s may all influence what you think university is going to be like; whether it’s crummy accommodation, pot noodles for dinner every night or endless alcohol and parties.

However, the likelihood is that the student stereotype you have in your mind is probably very far from the truth! Starting university can be an exciting but nerve-wracking time, more so if you have misconceptions about what life will be like. Check out 5 myths about university debunked.

So, you’ve decided to invest in a buy-to-let property and want to market it to students and young professionals in Bristol? If you experienced student life 20 or more years ago, you may be surprised by the change in expectations of what students today expect from their accommodation. Here are a few of the things you might want to consider when deciding how to kit out your rental property and make it appealing to your target market.

Moving into a new city can be a daunting prospect for several reasons, but knowing how to get around shouldn’t be one of them. If you’re a student that’s new to Bristol, brushing up on your transport links before term starts will make getting to and from university a doddle.

Read on to discover the best and most popular Bristol transport methods for students, taking into consideration the benefits and drawbacks in terms of cost, convenience and accessibility.

The best time of the year is almost upon us! For most students, this will mean a trip back home and the need to budget for decorations, food, gifts and other festive essentials.

At Digs, we don’t think financial worries should cast a shadow over Christmas, read on to discover our top tips for having your best Christmas ever without having to break the bank.

With all the excitement that comes with moving into student accommodation, it can be easy to rush into choosing a property, only to find out later in the year that it’s not well suited to your requirements.

To help ensure you choose the right property, we’ve pulled together our top considerations for making the decision, we’ll also take a look at how private accommodation compares with student halls.

Offering a diverse mix of courses across hundreds of world-class universities, it’s no wonder that the U.K is one of the most popular destinations for postgraduates to come to study abroad.

Whilst there are many wonderful things to look forward to about studying in the UK, with so much to consider and plan for, it can be a daunting task. 

From finances and accommodation to travel and weather preparation, we’ve pulled together a list of our top tips for international students coming to Bristol to study at university to get your term off to the right start.

Since 2011, we’ve been letting properties to students and helping landlords manage their properties profitably. In that time, we’ve become one of the larger student property management companies in Bristol; so we like to think we know a thing or two about letting property to students.

Whilst letting property to students can be very profitable, it is not without its complexities. In our latest blog post, we’ll some of the key things you should know before deciding to let your property to students or not.

ARLA Propertymark was formed in 2017, when leading industry bodies including ARLA, NAEA, NAVA and more combined to form a single brand with the aim of the raising industry standards, promoting education and helping landlords protect and maximise their investment.

At Abode, we are proud to be part of ARLA Propertymark and were ARLA approved for many years before the new brand was formed. Our commitment to a quality service means we not only abide by, but aim to excel the high standard required to retain ARLA Propertymark membership.

So why should you use an ARLA Property Mark member? There a number of benefits for both landlords and tenants - read our latest blog post to find out more.

If you’re new to university, receiving your first student loan may feel like your best payday yet.

But without proper budgeting, you could be faced with a premature call to the bank of Mum and Dad.

To help you budget better and save a penny here and there, we’ve come up with our top tips for saving money at university.

Who could live without apps? They help keep us organised, prevent us from getting lost and distract us from important things. But with around 2.8m apps available on the Google Play store and 2.2m on the Apple app store, it can be hard to know which ones are worth downloading.

Two updates on important changes - letting agency fees and a new central Bristol HMO licensing scheme. Whilst they may both impact landlords, it’s not all doom and gloom and there is still time to have your say and help shape the consultations.

At university, there is an undeniable pressure to go clubbing. Regretful spending of student loans, missed lectures and too many takeaways all usually come when mixed with regular nights out. Whilst we’re not discouraging a night out on the tiles, we all need a break sometimes and we know it’s not for everyone; here are 5 alternatives to clubbing in Bristol that are just as enjoyable as a night out

If you’re new to uni life, or just unsure how best to stay healthy at university, read our latest blog post for healthy meal tips on a budget, exercise ideas and guidance and help for ensuring your mental wellbeing doesn’t decline whilst you are at university. 

It’s the time of year when temperatures fall and heating bills rise! Whilst winter officially starts on the 21^st December, with sub-zero temperatures affecting Bristol already, here at Digs we’re saying it’s already started!

If you’re a student, there’s no doubt you will be heading back home soon to spend the festive period with your family and friends. Travel over the Christmas periods, be it by train, car or bus can be stressful and expensive without proper planning.

Before moving into your student house, you will be required to put down a deposit. This deposit is essentially a way of assuring your landlord or letting agency that if anything is broken, damaged or stained – they have guaranteed funds in place to fix it.

The new term has begun, and whether you’re a first year student leaving home for the first time, or a seasoned third year – we could all use a little helping hand from time to time.

A conundrum many university students of all ages and backgrounds face whether to live in shared accommodation, university halls or a private accommodation like studio apartments rooms. How can you figure out which one is best for you?

Worried about missing out on your chosen university due to your grades? Don’t panic – this doesn’t mean the end of your student journey as there are still options for you to utilise and still get in. Everyone planning for University is eligible for the UCAS Clearing scheme which is a way of matching students without universities, to universities without students.

It’s not surprising that Bristol was named best place to live in Britain in 2017. From its thriving and upbeat city centre and nightlife all the way down to its calm and quiet vibe by the harbour, it is a perfect place for nearly anyone to live.

Research shows that the better you fit into the personality of your area, the happier you are. Maybe that’s why Bristol is such a friendly place to be. However, we’ve came up with a few reasons on why we think Bristol should most definitely be your new home, particularly whilst studying.

If you're struggling with exam revision and coursework, you're not alone. Check out our top tips to beat procrastination here

If you haven't already it's time to find & secure your student rental property. We've compiled a few of our top thoughts together to help you get started.

One of the main stresses we see amongst students here at DIGS is financial worries. Therefore, it is worth thinking about ways to make your money last so we’ve compiled a few of our top tips to get you started.

Whether in prep for your second or third year, you’ll need to start the process of house hunting asap. This month we thought we’d tackle the world of guarantor’s & explain all.

Exam Season is just around the corner. But so is Christmas. From the obvious to the unexpected, find out exactly why you shouldn't fall into the trap of All-Nighters

Find out how we offered our advice & assistance to University Students looking for Housing for the next academic year. Read more below or get in touch

At Bristol Digs we have a particularly strong customer service ethos. We believe in looking after both our landlords and our tenants’ best interests.

There are a host of discount cards available to use both instore and online. We’ve picked our top contenders which we believe you’ll benefit the most from.

Are you starting university this September? If so, joining a society might be high on your list. But we bet you couldn’t have imagined the variety available. Check out our blog for more

Struggling with exam revision? Whether a university or college student, studying is a full time job so we’ve pulled together our top tips to help.

The first year at University has eased you into adult life; almost. Your time tables are thin with lectures and full with socials, and living in halls has meant that you live stress free thanks to all included bills, on site security, handy maintenance, and housing regulations put in place by the University.

Bristol is by far one of the most exciting, fast moving cities and boasts some truly magnificent architecture (old and new), along with several new developments including a brand new shopping centre in the heart of the city, Bristol is getting bigger and better by the day!

There are many advantages to investing in new-build homes. Ellie at Abode explores why buy-to-lets in new properties can be more cost effective & eco-friendly. 

Managing Director, Steve Harris, offers insights and advice for landlords looking to invest in Buy-To-Lets. Plus read all about Steve's investor survival guide. 

Need some advice before taking the plunge? Finding a place to rent for the first time can often be daunting. Here are a few tips to settle your mind.