The student lettings season is almost here  and if you’re a landlord or letting agent, November to March is prime time. It’s when next year’s students begin hunting for their next home, and the best-prepared listings move fast.

But this year, there’s a lot more to consider than just getting a property live. With rental legislation changing and student expectations rising, how you prepare now will make all the difference to your success.

At I Am The Agent, we’re here to help you stay ahead  both in marketing and compliance. Here’s how to prep your portfolio for the months ahead, and what to expect from the Renters (Reform) Bill.

1. Understand the Market Dynamics

Student rents are expected to hold steady this season unless a property has been refurbished. If you’ve invested in upgrades new kitchen, modern furniture, fresh décor  you may justify a premium. But for most, demand will dictate the price.

The smart strategy?
Don’t chase higher rents. Focus on attracting strong, reliable student groups. When you have multiple offers, you can pick the best match groups that are more likely to care for the property and stay the full term.

2. Invest in Good Marketing Assets

More than ever, students are choosing their accommodation online often without visiting in person. So your listing needs to stand out.

High-quality photos and video tours are no longer optional. High-quality, landscape photos are essential to make your listing stand out especially on our partners at Rightmove, where strong imagery drives more clicks and enquiries. Please ensure your images are landscape orientation and ideally sized at 1024 x 683 pixels to display correctly on the portal.

At I Am The Agent, you can easily update your images and media via your online dashboard  no middleman, no delay.

Start Marketing Early - From 1st November

Once Halloween is over, student demand spikes fast. If your property isn’t live by early November, you risk missing the key rush.

Make sure your advert is live, accurate, and appealing. And if you need help tweaking your listing, our team is always on hand.

4. Tailor Your Viewing Strategy

Not all student markets behave the same. In high-demand areas, back-to-back viewings and open houses work well. In quieter markets, group viewings across multiple properties can help fill harder-to-let rooms.

Whatever your strategy, I Am The Agent’s self-service tools make it easy to manage enquiries, schedule viewings, and stay on top of follow-ups  saving you time and admin.

5. Monitor What’s Working (and What’s Not)

Many landlords stop at the enquiry stage. But real insight comes from what happens next:

• Lots of enquiries but few viewings? Your requirements may be too strict.

• Plenty of viewings but no offers? The rent might be too high, or the condition underwhelming.

At I Am The Agent, you can monitor your listing’s performance. Tweak your approach as needed without waiting on a traditional agent to act.

6. Build Relationships — Not Just Tenancies

Students don’t just want a rental  they want a home. Understanding their motivations, timelines, and group dynamics can help you build rapport from the start.

That rapport leads to better outcomes: rent paid on time, properties looked after, and in many cases, students choosing to renew for a second year.

We believe that tech should enable better relationships, not replace them. That’s why our platform gives you more control and more time to focus on the human side of lettings.

What’s Changing: A Quick Guide to the Renters (Reform) Bill

Big changes are coming to the private rental sector and student lettings are in the spotlight. Here’s a summary of what’s on the table:

✅ Fixed terms will end. All tenancies will become periodic.

✅ Section 21 is being abolished. You’ll need valid grounds for possession.

✅ New Ground 4A. Student landlords can still regain possession annually to re-let for the next academic year.

✅ Rent bidding will be banned. You must advertise a clear asking rent.

✅ Stricter standards. The Decent Homes Standard and Awaab’s Law will apply to Private Rented Sector.

✅ Advance rent caps. Likely to be limited to one month, affecting international students without UK guarantors.

The Question Everyone’s Asking:

If I market early in October/November 2025, do I lose the right to use Ground 4A later?

👉 No, you don’t.

If the Bill hasn't commenced yet, you can market and sign as usual. Tenancies will convert to periodic once the Act comes into force, but you’ll retain the right to use Ground 4A during the transitional period.

After commencement, the key requirements will be:

• Tenancy must start within 6 months of signing

• Tenants must be full-time students

• Notice must be served in advance

• Possession must be sought between 1 June–30 September

✅ Pro tip: Add a Ground 4A clause to your tenancy offers now, and set a reminder to serve notice within one month of the Act coming into force.

What You Should Do Now:

✔️ List early. Demand won’t wait for legislation.

✔️ Tighten compliance. Get ahead of new standards by checking all certificates and repair obligations now.

✔️ Prepare for advance rent caps. Explore alternative solutions for international students, like guarantor replacement services.

How I Am The Agent Helps You Win the Student Season

At I Am The Agent, we offer everything you need to let smarter, faster, and with more confidence this student season:

• List across all major portals (Rightmove, Zoopla, PrimeLocation)

• Manage all enquiries in one place

• Pre-qualify applicants quickly and fairly

• Book viewings and track offers without chasing

All this with no high street fees and no middleman.

Final Thoughts

Student lettings move fast  and this year, with reforms on the horizon, it pays to be ahead of the curve.

Start marketing early, invest in your listing presentation, and focus on relationship-building as much as rent collection. And remember: with I Am The Agent, you don’t need to sacrifice service for speed.

We’re here to give you control, clarity, and confidence in a changing market all while saving you time and money.

Want to get your student property live today?
📞 Call us on 0333 444 1007 or
📧 Email us at info@iamtheagent.com

Let’s make this your best student lettings season yet.