Student lettings and management company Uni2 Rent has reported a record-breaking 2019, having let 90% of its managed rooms for the 20/21 academic year in Nottingham before Christmas, and credits the city’s increasing popularity amongst students as a significant reason for reaching the milestone.
Between the beginning of November and end of December last year, Uni2 Rent let out a total of 1,058 student rooms, smashing its target and surpassing its 2018 figure of 686 rooms let pre-Christmas.
The company names rising demand and an increase in Nottingham’s student population as one of the key reasons for its success, with approximately 70,000 students now living and studying in the city.
International students count for around 20% of all students currently in Nottingham, with the total student population seeing an increase of approximately 14% over the last three years.
Uni2 Rent, which was founded in the city by a local entrepreneurial student in 2012, works to house the Nottingham student community in contemporary, centrally located homes and works with landlords with houses of multiple occupancy (HMOs) and large investment funds with purpose-built accommodation sites.
The firm has also expanded its student ambassador programme for the 2019/2020 academic year, hiring 15 recruits from both the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University to actively go out and talk to people about the company’s services, conduct property viewings and gain valuable experience for their CVs at the same time.
Founder and managing director, Ed Henderson, believes it is an exciting time for the student market in Nottingham, with a positive outlook for the city in general.
He said: “Nottingham is one of the UK’s most popular student communities and attracts people from across the UK and overseas who wish to come and study at one of the two most prominent universities in the country; The University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University, which was recognized by The Guardian as University of the Year 2019.
“We are lucky and proud to operate in such an amazing city and our letting figures are a great illustration of the demand we continue to see for quality student accommodation.
“Nottingham continues to be a sound investment opportunity for landlords – with student rents increasing between 5-10% over the last 12 months and a similar forecast for the year ahead, it’s an opportune time for investment.
“As a business, we have started 2020 in a strong position and are continuing to recruit in terms of full-time employees and student ambassadors as we keep up our search for new properties and further business. We’re excited for what’s to come this year and to continue working towards becoming the largest student accommodation provider within such a dynamic student-focussed city.”
Uni2 Rent’s property portfolio covers the city centre, as well as West Bridgford, Beeston, the Arboretum and Lenton.
In November last year, the company was instructed as the managing agent for the recently converted Lister Building on Listergate and has successfully let 75% of the rooms already.
As well as offering accommodation inclusive of bills and utilities, Uni2 Rent partner with national and local companies to offer exclusive tenant discounts for services like laundry, cleaning, taxis, gym memberships, restaurants and even a home-cooked meals delivery service.
Uni2 Rent offers full property management, purpose-built student accommodation management, tenant finding, property sales, sourcing, development and refurbishments within its growing portfolio of investors and properties.
