How To Welcome Your New Student Renters The Right Way

The fall semester of college is about to begin. Earning any grade above a B is at the top of mind for new and returning college students, but landlords are anticipating a different kind of experience. As the property owner renting to students, it can be challenging to establish a quality relationship with tenants at the beginning of a new lease period. Move-in day will be here before you know it, so consider these suggestions to create an easy-breezy welcome experience for your new student renters.

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First-Impressions are Everything

Student housing, whether that be the tenant or landlord, is always a stressful experience for both parties. First impressions matter, so get out there and introduce yourself if you haven’t done so yet. Not just as the property owner, but as a person. Share a few things about yourself that may not be obvious to the eye — maybe where you’re from, why you are renting your property, or even what you do in your free time. The students will appreciate having an understanding of who you are, and they will be able to share a little bit about themselves too. The welcome period will go much more smoothly and improve your tenants’ move-in experience. 

Set Your Expectations Right Away

Welcome time for students is the perfect chance for you to set the tone of the relationship by establishing rules, communication methods and expectations of the tenant. Not only does this clear the air for any confusion down the road, it also reminds the student that this is a rental after all and perhaps what they did at Mom and Dad’s house won’t pass the same way. It is imperative to dive into the topics of typical college lifestyle- smoking, drinking, late-night adventures, etc. Although these may seem taboo to discuss in person and it may be easier to let the lease agreement explain itself, you risk room for error.

Host a Welcome Event

Although this is not necessary, it sure is a great way to segway into tips one and two above. Rather than having to repeat yourself, gather your tenants into one big group and create a comfortable space for you and them. Share the valuable information, and then give a little time for some one-on-one conversations. Not only will they be able to scope out which neighbors will let them borrow an egg occasionally, they also will feel more comfortable speaking with you directly. A welcome event is a way you can create a tenant-focused experience for everyone involved.

Ensure the Unit is Ready to Go

This is arguably the most important step (legally and for comfortability sake) to ensure the welcome experience goes smoothly. Did you check if all the outlets work? Plumbing okay? Fridge is at the right temperature? If this isn’t your first rodeo as a landlord, you probably have all of this down-pat. However, it is easy to forget about all of the small details. Think from your tenants’ perspective- what will they be looking out for? Usually, students work off a move-in checklist to guarantee they have everything they need to be successful, so why not create one yourself. You can check out this list of tenant turnover tips for a move-in-ready unit. You can also find printable downloads on Pinterest or through a quick Google search. So on welcome day, you can easily pull out this checklist to answer any questions or concerns about the unit.

Be The Landlord You Would Want

Finally, put yourself in the shoes of the student. Perhaps this is their first year away from home, or maybe they are green to the world of renting. Either way, it is easier to welcome your new renters when you understand their feelings. If you were the student, what would you expect from your landlord? This sort of goes back to tip number one about first impressions, but it also allows you to reflect on maybe some not-so-great past experiences with tenants that could be avoided with a little bit of communication.

Being a property owner of student housing can have its pros and cons, but you have the ability to make the welcome experience as enjoyable as possible. Focus on those first impressions to set the scene. Establish expectations right away to avoid any future conflicts. Host a welcome event to introduce yourself and create a thriving community of students for the semester. Ensure your unit is ready to go and you can answer any questions your tenant may have. Last but not least, remember who your clientele is and consider the experience through their eyes. With this compiled list of suggestions, your welcome day will undoubtedly be one to remember. Even better, you may be able to guarantee long-term leases to students who are planning on sticking around longer than just a year.