How to conduct a successful student property viewing

Carrying out property viewings is an integral step in securing bookings. Viewings allow you to meet prospective tenants in person and assess whether they are the right for your property. It also provides you with the opportunity to showcase your property in the best light, answer any questions, and encourage tenants to book. 

To help you ensure that you are making these meetings as productive and useful as possible for all parties, we’ve created a guide to carrying out successful student property viewings. 

Carrying out viewings at an occupied property

In the student market, many viewings will take place while the existing tenants are still living in the property. This is particularly true if you are showing an HMO, as the majority of viewings for the following academic year happen in the first term of the current year, between October and December. 

Tenants have the right to enjoy the quiet enjoyment of their homes. You should always ask the tenants’ permission before organising any viewings and provide at least 24 hours' notice (or ideally longer) once the date and time have been agreed upon. 

It might be helpful to include a clause about viewings in your tenancy agreement to lay out any expectations and help avoid miscommunications. Most student tenants will be understanding of the need for viewings during their tenancy, so as long as you are respectful and communicative, the process should run smoothly. 

Virtual viewings 

If you would like to offer virtual viewings of your property, you can take videos as you walk through, showing a 360 view of the space and the different facilities available. You can even take these videos when the property is vacant between tenants, which can help prospects get a sense of the accommodation without others living in it. 

Virtual viewings are useful as not every prospective tenant will be able to attend a property viewing in person. For instance, international students may only travel to the country shortly before their move-in date and will need to sort out accommodation for the academic year in advance of then.

Offering virtual tours on your property listing also helps to ensure that prospective tenants have a clearer sense of the accommodation before they organise a viewing, helping to minimise the number of enquiries you get from uninterested parties. 

Top tips for a successful viewing

Want to make your student property viewing run as seamlessly as possible? Follow these top tips. 

Confirm the viewing in advance

To minimise the chance of no-shows and avoid wasting time, it’s a good idea to confirm property viewings a few hours in advance via text or email. 

When you market on StuRents, you can set availability slots so tenants can book viewings when you are available, without having to contact you. As you might not have communicated directly with them before the viewing, it’s a good idea to send a confirmation message on the morning of the viewing. 

Arrive early 

You don’t want to keep prospective tenants waiting. Make sure to arrive a bit early so you can make sure everything is in order before your prospective tenants arrive. Arriving early also helps to make a good impression!

Provide clear directions for the property

Delays can be frustrating, particularly if you have a jam-packed schedule of viewings. To make sure that things run smoothly, make sure that your prospective tenants know where the property is, how to get there, and where to meet you. 

Turn on the lights

You want to show off your property in the best light…literally. When you’re walking around the property, make sure the lights are turned on so prospective tenants can see everything clearly. It’s also a good idea to turn on the heating in winter so the property feels comfortable and temperate, if the current tenants are comfortable with this, of course. 

Give tenants space to look around 

Don’t overcrowd prospective tenants. Once you’re inside, give them some space to look around by themselves and get a feel for the property. Of course, you should be on hand to offer insights and answer any questions they might need, but you don’t need to invade their space to do this.  

Answer questions honestly 

Build trust by answering questions honestly and clearly during the property viewing. If you don’t know the answer, be honest about this. You can always contact them after the viewing with more details.

Clarify next steps 

Lay out exactly what student tenants should do next if they are interested in booking the property. Bear in mind that, with student tenants, some may have never been through the booking process before, so the more information you can give about next steps, the better. Explain the process of holding and tenancy deposits, if relevant, referencing, and guarantors. 

Common questions students ask at a viewing

Knowing what tenants might ask at a viewing will help you prepare ahead of time. Some common questions student tenants might ask include: 

• How much is the rent?
• How much is the deposit?
• Is there a holding deposit as well as a tenancy deposit?
• Do I need a guarantor?
• What do I do if I can’t provide a UK-based guarantor?
• Are bills included?
• What’s the length of the contract?
• Are all furniture and appliances included?

Streamline viewings with StuRents 

When you have a StuRents Marketing plan, viewings bookings are integrated into listings, making it easier than ever for prospects to book appointments. 

Find out more about how a Marketing plan could help you maximise your bookings this lettings season.