New Student Tenancies: How Property Management Software Can Help Landlords

Welcoming students into your rental property can be a promising investment. Tenants with set academic years can provide a steady, predictable market. However, maintaining the property is essential for ensuring the longevity of the premises and the satisfaction of its occupants. With multiple inspections, repairs, safety checks and maintenance requests to keep track of, property maintenance software can help landlords and property managers stay organised throughout the tenancy.

Here’s your essential maintenance checklist, including how property maintenance software can help you keep your student accommodation safe, functional and appealing, ensuring your students feel right at home.

Conduct a Thorough Inspection

Before the tenancy begins, conduct a detailed walk-through of the property. This inspection is crucial to note existing damage and create a record that can prevent future disputes. Ensure you check for:

• Structural integrity – including walls, ceilings, windows and doors.
• Utilities – Ensure all electrical, water and gas systems are up to standard. This includes checking light fittings, boiler operation and the integrity of the pipes.
• Security measures – Validate the functionality of locks, burglar alarms and window latches.

Fiixit’s property maintenance software can help you keep a centralised record of inspections and any issues identified. Maintenance tasks can then be recorded and assigned to the relevant person, helping ensure that problems are dealt with before students move in.

Implement Regular Cleaning

Hygiene is paramount, especially in high-traffic areas used by young residents. Regular cleaning schedules can prevent pest infestations and maintain the property’s aesthetic appeal. Focus on:

• Common areas – such as hallways and shared kitchens, which need frequent cleaning.
• Waste management – ensure rubbish bins are accessible and cleared regularly.

Using property management software can make it easier to organise and track cleaning and maintenance tasks. Instead of relying on separate notes, emails or spreadsheets, property managers can keep relevant tasks together and monitor their progress.

Furnishing Check and Repair

Sturdy and functional furniture is necessary to withstand the wear and tear from student lifestyles. Periodic checks are recommended:

• Fix or replace broken furniture pieces.
• Check and tighten loose screws and brackets on chairs, tables and beds.
• Ensure all furnishings comply with fire safety regulations, including the use of fire-resistant materials.

Property maintenance software can help you record damaged or faulty furniture and create maintenance tasks for repairs or replacements. Keeping a record of these issues can also help you identify recurring problems within a property.

Safety Checks

The safety of your tenants is non-negotiable. Compliance with local safety regulations is not only a legal responsibility but an important part of managing student accommodation. This includes:

• Fire safety – Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors regularly. Make sure fire extinguishers are accessible and in working condition.
• Electrical safety – Have a qualified electrician perform regular checks on your appliances and circuits.
• Emergency exits– Keep all emergency pathways and exits clear and well-marked.

Property management software can help property managers keep track of scheduled safety and maintenance checks. By recording completed tasks and upcoming requirements, it can provide a clearer overview of the maintenance needs across your student properties.

Seasonal Maintenance

Being proactive with seasonal maintenance can protect the property from environmental stress and decay:

• Before winter, check the heating system, insulate pipes to prevent freezing, and ensure the roof and windows are secure against leaks.
• During autumn, clear gutters and drains of leaves and debris to prevent water blockages.

Another useful aspect of property maintenance software is that it can help you schedule recurring maintenance tasks, making it easier to plan seasonal work in advance rather than waiting for an issue to arise. This can be particularly useful for landlords and property managers responsible for multiple student properties.

Set Up a Responsive Management Report System

To address maintenance issues swiftly and efficiently, set up a system where students can report problems easily. This involves:

• Providing clear contact information.
• Establishing a straightforward reporting process.
• A commitment by you or your maintenance team to address and solve issues promptly.

A property management software system can simplify this process by giving tenants a clear way to report maintenance issues. Once a problem has been reported, property managers can track the request, assign the necessary work and monitor its progress through to completion.

Landlord Responsibilities

Understand and comply with your responsibilities. This includes regular property upgrades and responsive, timely solutions to maintenance requests, which can significantly enhance tenant satisfaction and retention.

Keeping track of these responsibilities can become increasingly difficult when managing multiple properties. Property maintenance software can provide a centralised system for recording maintenance requests, organising tasks and keeping track of completed work.

Fiixit’s Digital Property Management Services

To keep your student accommodation in the best possible condition, consider engaging professional property maintenance services. Having the right systems in place can help you manage maintenance more efficiently, whether you’re dealing with routine checks, planned work or unexpected repairs.

At Fiixit, we understand the unique demands of maintaining student properties. Our property maintenance software helps landlords, letting agents and property managers organise maintenance requests, track repairs and keep a clear record of work across their properties.

Get in touch with Fiixit today to find out how property maintenance software can help you manage your student accommodation more efficiently throughout the academic year.