College Students Want to Reserve for August, Fall Semester

College Students Want to Reserve for August, Fall Semester

Jon S.Pro Member
Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2015 · 530 posts · 92 votes

I've just completed renovation on a triplex near a private university, everything is done except the landscaping and parking, and those areas are in progress. One unit is leased; as of May 1st they moved in. I would like to keep this a student housing to avoid conflicts between renters, and because it will become popular with students. Students are a great niche, this is a 5 minute walk to their college, and it is nicer than 99% of the available housing in this area. If you only include houses, this is definitely in the top 1% for quality. The competition is apartment complexes, which are very well appointed, but they don't like renting to students so they make it difficult for students to get apartments there by requiring huge deposits, etc. So high quality housing that is not in an apt complex is in short supply. However, students who want housing in the summer is also in short supply. The other available houses are generally very low quality inside, but they also have lower rent. Once I get these leased for 12 months, I will probably be able to maintain a wait list on these, and the cash flow will be find, but getting the first ones leased over the summer months is the challenge. I dropped the rental price thinking that would help, and it did increase the number of calls, but still all the calls are interested in August. If I'm going to wait till August, then I see no reason to drop the price, as in August I will be able to get the higher rent, at least I think that is going to be the case. Any advice appreciated.  

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Real Estate Consultant · Camarillo, CA · Member since 2010 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
10y

I just got into my first student housing, but realize that the leasing was so different from what I am hearing.  We are in the process of signing leases for August 2017. Leases are August to May with some summer rentals.  The students pay by the semester, so most of the rev comes in twice a year.  Even though we rent by the unit, all students are on the lease and responsible for the full lease amount. Deposits are 1600 per unit. This is in Ohio.

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  • Roy N.Pro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Fredericton, New Brunswick · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    10y

    @Jon S.

    It starts as early as March here ... students wanting to rent for August/September and asking if we will hold a property.    

    Unless we are planning to renovate a unit over the summer, we will take their name suggest they check back with us as we get a little closer. 

    This is typically only an issue when we bring a new property into service or if we have tenants who gave notice they were renewing, but whose household lost social cohesion.   Like you, we offer high quality student accommodations and, under normal operations, we are re-rented before our existing leases run out.

    For our returning tenants, we will allow them to sublet over the summer months - we must vet and approve the candidate(s).

  • Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2015 · 293 posts · 175 votes
    10y

    We always run our terms August-July with a few weeks in August to turnover the unit if needed. Students are familiar with pre-leasing units though so I'd say go ahead and get a great tenant applied/screened/signed lease and wait until August if you can. Then you can run them on a 12 month term. Be open to subleasing but always treat the sublease applicant with the same screening process. All of the housing around USF signs 12 month terms so I wouldn't worry about it. If one doesn't want the whole term you'll find another. If you send me your email I can keep an eye open for any UT students that come through my place looking and I can send them your way. 

  • Real Estate Consultant · Camarillo, CA · Member since 2010 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10y

    I just got into my first student housing, but realize that the leasing was so different from what I am hearing.  We are in the process of signing leases for August 2017. Leases are August to May with some summer rentals.  The students pay by the semester, so most of the rev comes in twice a year.  Even though we rent by the unit, all students are on the lease and responsible for the full lease amount. Deposits are 1600 per unit. This is in Ohio.

  • Investor · Columbus, OH · Member since 2015 · 134 posts · 48 votes
    10y

    timely topic.  We just had a speaker at our investor group (COREE) covering rentals.  The way he did it (does it) is either make them sign a 12 month lease for a lower rate, or a 9 month lease for a higher rate.  I have rentals here in Columbus and rent to students as well.  I have had no problems renting them for 12 months.  Someone always wants to stay over the summer and do sports or summer quarter

  • Property Manager · Chico, CA · Member since 2011 · 41 posts · 30 votes
    10y

    @Jon S. I would offer a short term summer lease (1-3 months) at a heavily discounted rent (low enough to get someone in asap) with the option to renew in August for 12 months at the full market rent. That way you are at least getting some income until August. I would make sure that your rental listing clearly explains the terms so that you can avoid wasting time with calls for the August term.

  • Real Estate Investor · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2013 · 301 posts · 112 votes
    10y

    I exclusively rent out to students. We rent for the full year with leases starting June 1st. No short term availible. We are 100% pre leased by October for the following year. Every school is different. The large operators handle leases similar to what I mentioned. Look at Peak Campus

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