Why promoting summer availability is crucial in student accommodation

For many property managers, summer is viewed as downtime - a moment to reset before September's wave of check-ins. But while your buildings might be quieter, student demand doesn’t stop. In fact, there’s a crucial group of tenants actively searching for accommodation during summer.

Whether it’s international students arriving early, postgrads on flexible start dates, or undergrads staying put for summer work or resits, summer availability matters. And if you’re not actively marketing it, you’re missing out.

Here’s why early promotion gives you the edge - and how to make sure your listings get seen by the right students.

1. Some students want to move in right away

International students arriving ahead of the academic year, or domestic students switching providers, often need accommodation before the typical September start. They may be unfamiliar with the area, looking for a fast turnaround, and willing to pay a premium for simplicity and availability.

If your summer availability isn’t live — they won’t find you.

Tip: Make sure listings show correct availability dates, and mention if you're open to short lets or flexible contracts.

2. Booking early = peace of mind for students

Many students, particularly those in their second or third year, want to lock in a room well before their course starts. Securing accommodation early removes stress — especially for those balancing work, travel, or visa requirements.

If your listings only go live in July or August, they’ll already be gone.

Tip: Market your availability from early summer onwards — not just peak lettings season.

3. More time = fewer voids

Waiting to promote summer availability can leave rooms sitting empty, especially if contracts end in May or June. The earlier you list, the more time you have to fill those gaps.

Even one or two early bookings can make a big difference to summer occupancy and revenue.

4. It strengthens your brand year-round

Consistently promoting availability shows prospective tenants - and their parents - that you’re a reliable, professional provider. It’s also an opportunity to showcase your customer service, digital booking tools, and responsiveness during quieter months.

When the next peak cycle rolls around, you’re already top of mind.

Make your listings work harder with Concurrent

If you’re managing availability across multiple buildings or platforms, it can be tricky to keep listings up to date. That’s where Concurrent can help:

• Channel Manager: Push summer availability to multiple platforms instantly — no double entry required.
• Dynamic Pricing: Add time-sensitive deals or short-let discounts to help fill those stubborn summer voids.
• Book Now & Enquiry Forms: Let students enquire or reserve instantly — without waiting for a callback.
• Performance Reporting: See which listings are being viewed (or ignored) and adjust copy, images or pricing in real-time.