As the universities embrace online teaching and students shun the campus, landlords may be overwhelmed with the recent challenges presented by the recent pandemic. As a leading Norwich agency, we have pivoted our operations for dealing with the current situation. Here are our top tips for landlords: Virtual viewings Embrace apps, such as FaceTime, Zoom, or Google Hangouts, which are a...

As the universities embrace online teaching and students shun the campus, landlords may be overwhelmed with the recent challenges presented by the recent pandemic. As a leading Norwich agency, we have pivoted our operations for dealing with the current situation. Here are our top tips for landlords:

Virtual viewings

Embrace apps, such as FaceTime, Zoom, or Google Hangouts, which are a great way to get groups of housemates together for a virtual viewing. These apps all allow multiple participants to join a video call.

Consider renting to professionals

There has been an influx of nurses, doctors, and host of other medical professionals to Norwich and Norfolk University Hospital since the outbreak of the pandemic. The NNUH NHS Trust has also embark in recruiting young newly qualified doctors and nurses from countries across the European Union. These tenants’ demographic tends to look for rental properties similar to students’ properties. It is definitely worth offering your properties to these types of tenants.

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Utilise existing videos

Where it’s possible for you to access the property, it’s worth visiting your homes to get some detailed videos of the interior. Video every room, narrating the key features that may be of interest. These can then be sent to students who have enquired and are looking to sign for the property. Christmas is the perfect opportunity to get to visit your property and video every room, as most student tenants will home. Do not forget to give them notice of your visit.

Keep in touch

Use online messaging apps (such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and iMessage) to share videos and answer questions with a group of housemates. You can create group chats and share larger files, such as videos, much easier than with standard email providers. You’re more likely to get a swift response as a bonus!

Remote tenancy Application

With many expecting reduced contact, students will be expecting to apply for properties as well as sign tenancy and guarantor agreements remotely. Melanie Estates can now offer this service to self-managing landlords. This will also widen your pool of tenants as they will be able to sign their tenancy agreement before they arrive. Don’t forget carry out your right to rent checks.

Do you need extra peace of mind?

There have been so many uncertainties in recent times, while the university may still close should there be a rise in students contracting the virus, it may be a student in a vulnerable group moving back or dropping out from the university and may become unable to pay rent. If you would like extra security, we will recommend that you consider our guaranteed rent option.

Here at Melanie Estates

We have pivoted our service to meet the contemporary students demands, by offering Norwich landlords the services below. We are currently offering our tenants virtual viewings, working remotely and offering tenants the opportunity to sign their tenancy and guarantor agreements online.

We are also receiving a record number of enquiries for students looking to start tenancies in January/February 2021.

Please call 01603 444251 or email norwich@melaniestates.co.uk for a free no obligation talk about your rental property.