RELEASE LIVERPOOL STUDENT HOMES E-ZINE
Issue 1 Summer 2016
Mid-year review Right to Rent Selective licensing Student fall-outs Burglary reduction Registration certificates Rental statistics
Liverpool Student Homes, 140 Mount Pleasant, Liverpool, L3 5SR 0151 794 3296
@LivStudentHomes
lsh@liverpool.ac.uk
LiverpoolStudentHomes
www.liverpoolstudenthomes.org
WELCOME to the first LSH e-zine news letter to our registered landlords. The LSH e-zine is replacing the annual Release newsletter with a more frequent communication bulletin to keep you up to date with relevant news.
MID-YEAR REVIEW We have reached the midpoint of the letting period where traditionally students are making the move out of dwellings and the market is gearing up for the next academic year which comes round far too fast in this business. This year we have seen a marked difference in students looking for accommodation with a far more relaxed approach and demonstrating a
willingness to shop around until they find the perfect property. Footfall through the LSH office was some of the busiest for a number of years and it has been refreshing to see groups of students searching on a daily basis. The groups and individuals searching for accommodation continued right up to the summer.
WHAT’S CHANGED THIS YEAR?
1490 BEDSPACES IN CITY DEVELOPMENTS
The student housing market in Liverpool continues to evolve year on year. The new development of private halls continues this year and competition in this sector is stepping up. This September will see an estimated addition of 1490 bedspaces in city developments, some have been carried over from last September after failing to complete on time but nevertheless the building continues.
The choice of accommodation in Liverpool for our city's students has never been stronger. The traditional housing sector has continued to evolve and respond positively to the developments within the city centre with standards in this sector increasing in a bid to attract students from the Larger Private Developments. The realisation by the majority of landlords/agents in the traditional sector for the need to improve dwellings has been a catalyst in ensuring that traditional student locations remain popular outside of the city centre.
Whilst bedspaces in the larger private developments continue to increase year on year the traditional sector has remained stable with bedspace figures proportionate to other years. We have begun to see a shift in ownership of traditional dwellings with some owners selling portfolios and exiting the market completely. In many cases these dwellings have been sold on as a going concern with student tenants secured for the next academic year.
‘LET AGREED’ WEBSITE FEATURE The welcome uptake of landlords utilising the 'Let Agreed' notice on adverts on our website has increased significantly. This facility offers you the opportunity to show case how successful you are. From a marketing perspective you are demonstrating that your properties are popular and have been rented with the added bonus of maintaining an advertising presence on the site.
LET AGRE ED
We are encouraging registered users to utilise this to assist in accurate information being displayed to potential students. In recent feedback a student was left frustrated at the lack of response when enquiring about advertised properties. This can be damaging in terms of customer experience and students returning to use the service. We rely on you to ensure advertised information is correct, if you are unsure please contact the team and we will offer assistance.
RIGHT TO RENT
SELECTIVE LICENSE
Information regarding your obligations to complete 'Right to Rent' checks can be accessed on the LSH website by clicking here. As you will be aware the legal requirement to conduct 'Right to Rent' checks for all tenants is now in place.
We have been surprised by the number of landlords who have not applied for the Liverpool City Council Selective License, which was introduced in April 2015. It is applicable to all rented properties that do not require a Mandatory License. Check out the Liverpool City Council website for information on completing your application. We now request evidence of your application at the point of registration or we will check the published lists of applications detailed on the Liverpool City Council website.
It is important that checks are carried out on all tenants and not solely on international students.
STUDENT FALL OUTS Fall outs between tenants has increased significantly over the last few years posing a challenging situation for both landlord and tenant. In the majority of cases the student will need to find a replacement tenant to fulfil their tenancy obligations. We offer support to students in trying to find replacement tenants through the ability to post notices on the Student Message Board and at our Find a House Mate events. You can also re-advertise or amend your advert to reflect the vacancy through the advertising portal. It should be noted that the Student Message Board is a resource for student use only.
REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE We have produced a printed Certificate of Registration for registered Larger Providers, landlords and agents to be displayed in a location of your choice. The certificates will be sent upon request to landlord/agents registered for the relevant academic year. Contact the LSH office if you would like a certificate posted to you.
BURGLARY REDUCTION CAMPAIGN Following on from the 'Now Lock Your Door' campaign we are developing a burglary reduction campaign to encourage students to secure their windows. To support the message we will distribute window stickers to registered landlords, please display them on window frames at the opening point.
Window sticker
We have received feedback from one provider stating that they encourage students to leave their windows on the first locking stage of a UPVC window to promote circulation of air and prevent condensation. Therefore, we have specifically chosen language which asks for tenants to secure windows rather than completely closing them. It is important for you to provide keys to all lockable windows. We would encourage registered providers to make tenants aware of the window mechanisms within the property when they are moving in. The campaign is scheduled to launch in September.
RENTAL STATISTICS - JUNE 2016
EXCLUDING UTILITIES
AVERAGE PRICE
AREA STATISTICS
The following monthly figures have been abstracted from the LSH website and provide a snapshot of the rental charges for properties advertised through the service. These figures can be accessed by clicking here.
*Excluded utilities are gas, electricity and water only
INCLUDING UTILITIES
AVERAGE PRICE
*Included utilities are gas, electricity and water only
HOW WE CAN HELP YOU Being a registered student accommodation provider with LSH, you have access to these additional benefits completely free of charge: Contract checking - we can check for any unfair terms or point out areas that may need to be improved or clarified Tenancy dispute resolution - when communication is difficult or has broken down, we can mediate to find a mutually agreeable outcome General advice on property management and renting to students Advice on investing and market trends.
THE LSH TEAM AMANDA KERR - Manager IAN HUMPHREYS - LSH Standards Officer & Deputy Manager JAMES SMITH - Housing Rights Advice Worker LORNA LAMB - Marketing Officer DAN COLE - Administrative & Marketing Assistant