Student accommodation as an asset class

The underlying appetite for higher education has demonstrated its resilience through both the recession and the introduction of tuition fees. Investors are attracted to a sector where there is a demonstrable undersupply; the outstanding opportunities await those ready to move away from traditional solutions

Landlords

Whether you are a student landlord looking for a premier lettings & management service, or perhaps you are thinking about selling your student house portfolio; either way we should talk. The only two things I won’t compromise on are location and quality.

Investors

Total returns in the student accommodation sector have outperformed all other traditional asset classes. The Knight Frank Student Property Index shows that total returns from student accommodation outperformed other property asset classes in the year to September. This has been the case since 2011.

Maybe you have funds to invest and like the idea of getting a minimum 10% net internal rate of return but don’t want to get involved with the day to day business of being a student landlord? Andrew Chell Premier Student Homes is launching a UK based value added student accommodation fund investing in the Student Private Rented Sector; initially the fund will be focused on Loughborough based investments. The well-proven ACPSH business model is eminently scalable and the intention is to expand operations across the UK; the strategy will be research led with the aim of acquiring investments in pre-selected leading UK university towns and cities that produce the maximum gross yield.

Download Knight Frank Market Insight: Student Property 2014

Letting Season 2025-2026

It always amazes me when I get enquiries in October about houses for the next academic year but yet again the phone calls have started; I have already let several houses!

The services I will be offering for 2025-2026:

I am offering a range of premier services that will only be available to a select handful of private landlords.

  • : flat rate fee of £150 per bedroom; there will be no VAT charged.
    • Fees for portfolio lettings by negotiation.
  • : fixed rate fee of 12.5% of gross rental income; there will be no VAT charged.
    • Fees for portfolio management by negotiation.
  • : in the increasingly competitive market; if you want to be seen you have to spend.
    • Marketing budget for the 2025-2026 letting season is in excess of £25,000…!

I’m in my office on Ashby Road most days; so just drop in for a chat if you would like to become part of the Andrew Chell Premier Student Homes experience.

Andrew Chell Signature

Want to find out more?

Please contact Andrew Chell at any time to discuss your Loughborough student house requirements.

Go to contact page

Premier Lettings Service

I am again going to offer a premier lettings service to a select handful of private landlords that I believe deliver a similar level of customer care to that which I provide for my own tenants.

  • The cost for the premier lettings service is a flat rate fee of £150 per bedroom; there will be no VAT charged.
    • Fees for portfolio lettings by negotiation.
  • Included services
    • Rental advice and rental valuation.
    • Recommendations for all-inclusive package and advice on budget.
    • Marketing by whatever means deemed suitable and effective.
    • Assessing prospective tenants and arrange viewing accompanied by AC.
    • Current tenants will be notified in advance of any viewings.
    • Preparing tenancy document for signature by relevant parties.
    • Execution of the legal documents including signing tenancy agreements on behalf of the landlord as duly authorised agent.
    • Collection of tenancy deposit on behalf of the landlord (as required).
  • Excluded services
    • Preparing rent guarantee document for signature by relevant parties.
    • Registering the tenancy deposit with one of the Government-authorised tenancy deposit protection schemes.
    • Arranging an inventory and schedule of condition of the property and contents that are included within the tenancy.
    • Other management services as per below.

Premier Management Service

For the first time I am also going to offer a premier management service to a select handful of private landlords that want to deliver the same level of customer care to that which I provide for my own tenants.

  • My reputation in Loughborough is second to none and I am fiercely protective about not allowing the value of the Andrew Chell brand to be undermined.
    • Please take a moment to look at the testimonials page on my website to read what my tenants have to say about me!
    • If you would like your tenants to be saying the same things about your house then this is the service for you.
    • Good reputation = higher achievable rents!
  • The cost for the premier management service is a fixed rate fee of 12.5% of gross rental income; there will be no VAT charged.
    • Flat rate fee of £150 per bedroom due at the time of signing the contract.
    • Proportional balance due from rents collected as and when rents fall due during the tenancy.
    • Fees for portfolio management by negotiation.
  • Included services
    • Lettings service as per above.
    • Preparing rent guarantee document for signature by relevant parties.
    • Register the tenancy deposit with one of the custodial Government-authorised tenancy deposit protection schemes and inform the Tenant of the details of the relevant scheme.
      • Arrange the distribution of the tenancy deposit at the conclusion of the tenancy in accordance with the terms of the tenancy agreement.
    • Arranging an inventory and schedule of condition of the property and contents that are included within the tenancy.
    • Check the tenants into the property at the beginning of the tenancy.
    • Collect the rent and forward statement regularly with the release of rents collected to the landlord as and when they fall due.
    • Preparing quarterly utility statements for tenants on all-inclusive package.
    • Inspect the property quarterly or more frequently if required by mutual agreement.
    • Handle tenant’s enquiries.
    • Arrange for any repair work on behalf of the landlord when authorised by the landlord to do so.
    • Have the discretion to carry out any emergency or urgent repair works up to maximum cost of £300 without prior reference to the landlord.
    • Check the tenants out at the termination of the tenancy.
    • Advise council tax office as appropriate of any changes of tenants.
    • Handle general accounts enquiries.
    • Locate new tenants if required during the tenancy in which case the property will be advertised as being available by whatever means deemed suitable and effective.
  • Excluded services
    • Cost of insurance based Government-authorised tenancy deposit protection scheme.
    • Cost of Gas safety certificates.
    • Cost of Electrical safety certificates.
    • Preparing HMO licences.
    • Handling insurance claims on behalf of the landlord.

Marketing: the key to success!

If you want to be seen you have to spend, spend, spend; my marketing budget for the 2025-2026 letting season is in excess of £25,000…!

  • Office at 66 Ashby Road has proven to be a great success.
    • High visibility is absolutely key in the increasingly competitive market.
  • AC website.
    • For the 2025-2026 letting season I’ll be adding an “Agency Houses” page to my website.
      • The layout is similar to the existing All Houses page and is a summary list providing basic details about each house / rent etc.
      • I can also create a house detail page for each house but this is dependent on availability of good quality images, floorplans, EPC etc.
      • Extra charges may apply for house detail pages!
    • NEW Student Living Blog: ongoing – maintained in-house
  • Google AdWords campaign: ongoing – maintained in-house.
    • Top of page 1 for all keyword searches.
  • SEO campaign: ongoing – maintained by 1st WebDesigns.
  • Social media campaign:
    • AC Facebook page: ongoing - maintained by dedicated in-house social media staff.
    • AC Twitter page: ongoing - maintained by dedicated in-house social media staff.
  • LSU media
    • Student Guide 2014: 1 x full page advert. Sent by post to all Freshers.
    • Athletics Union Bazaar: Saturday 4th October 2014.
    • Union Bazaar: Sunday 5th October 2014.
    • Label magazine: 3 x full page adverts; Issue 1: 26/09, Issue 2: 31/10, Issue 3: 05/12
    • A1 poster site (opposite Starbucks): All year 2018-2019.
    • Web banner: Autumn term and Spring term.
    • Social media: 6 x LSU Facebook posts; w/c 13/10, 20/10, 27/10, 10/11, 17/11, 24/11
    • Email newsletter: 3 x articles + logo / image panels; 27/10, 10/11, 24/11
    • Flyer distribution: 2 x 500 in Students Union building; w/c 17/11, 24/11
    • Housing Bazaar: TBC but likely to be Tuesday 2nd December 2014

Want to find out more?

Please contact Andrew Chell at any time to discuss your Loughborough student house requirements.

Go to contact page

Loughborough Office

Drop into our office at 66 Ashby Road, Loughborough

Address:
Andrew Chell Premier Student Homes
66 Ashby Road
Loughborough LE11 3AE
United Kingdom

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