Student let - what to provide

[Bluepeach]

I am furnishing a flat and have students moving in in September.

My mum is telling me I need to provide everything like pillows on the beds, an iron and ironing board, a toaster etc.

I am thinking it should only be the basics such as beds sofas, drawers, wardrobes, dining table and chairs, desks, curtains, lamp shades and major appliances.

Can anyone advise what is standard/expected?

Thanks!

Don’t provide bedding. Most people already have their own and yours would end up shoved in a cupboard or binned and if they did actually use it, it would get dirty and you’d be responsible for having it professionally cleaned when new tenants move in.

Where is the flat? I've only had limited experience with rented flats, but it was that in Edinburgh basic crockery, kettle etc was provided whereas in Glasgow it wasn't.

DS’s had beds with mattress, desks, chairs, sofas, table and chairs in dining room, kettle, bin in kitchen, toaster.

The student flats my niece rented had cutlery, crockery, iron, ironing board, toaster, kettle, microwave all included
Mattress but no bedding supplied

Bed (no bedding)
kettle
presumably flat has fridge/cooker/sofas
lamps on bedside table
befside table
cheap table and four chairs for eating
curtaina
most students don’t even iron. But I wouldn’t be including ironing board.
torch.
wouldn’t be providing crockery.

I would be expecting them to provide their own ironing board

Your list is fine but I’d also include a kettle. That’s it

No bedding. Mattress and bed. Desk in each bedroom room and chair. Bedside table and wardrobe
Table and chairs to eat at.
kettle and white goods.
curtains.
lamps

Vacuum if there is carpet
Brush and dustpan
Mop and bucket

If you have broom cupboard space a small ironboard but no iron to save tabletops

Even with no bedding, cover the mattress with a good quality mattress protector and make sure it isn’t removed.

Bed with a mattress and mattress protector.

Somewhere to study, so a desk or table and chair.

Somewhere to store clothes, a wardrobe and a set of drawers.

Somewhere to store stationery / books - maybe a book shelf.

A noticeboard if you don't want them sticking posters on the walls.

A bin.

In the communal area/s somewhere to sit, a sofa or chairs, a table and chairs to eat at - they probable won't but that's beside the point. A toilet roll to start them off.

Basic kitchen equipment cooker, microwave, kettle, tin opener, fridge (or fridge freezer) make sure it has enough shelves / drawers so everyone can have their own.

A kitchen cupboard each to store food.

A fire blanket and a fire extinguisher.

Cleaning equipment depending what they need to clean.

Yes to curtains or blinds and lampshades.

I think anything else is a bonus.

One thing I have seen in a student house was hooks by the door for house keys, so if you are in the house you hang up your keys and the last person in can put the dead bolt on. Something like that or one of those sliding 'in/out' signs.

A laminated list of rules, I don't mean attempting to run their lives but things like contact details, what they are responsible for, what you are responsible for.

What they need to do to get their deposit back.

This one might be controversial but I would consider a TV licence, students are notorious for not having one but if you work it in to the rent it saves any problems.

I wouldn't supply bedding but I would consider offering duvet and pillows as an extra as they are quite bulky.

Whatever you provide, it will be your responsibility to replace/fix if broken.

Definitely not bedding, just the basics as above.

Make sure the tenancy agreement is clear on lost keys - tenants should pay to have new keys cut.

Think about a basic equipped Airbnb

Information on bin days
information on paying council tax
information on water, electricity metres etc.
4 glasses
4 x crockery set
4 x cutlery
4 x mugs
knife set
chopping boards
pan set
cork mats to protect surfaces
dish drainer
toilet brush
clothes dryer
tea pot
cafetière
mattress protectors
first aid kit
fire extinguisher
fire blanket
smoke Alarm
carbon monoxide alarm
washer
dryer
dishwasher
clear labelled bins for recycling, waste, paper, food etc.
start of tenancy good will welcome - perhaps basic towels, toilet rolls, kitchen rolls, various bin bags, bleach, and polite instructions on how to keep the place tidy.
information about local transport and a few good local shops.

… & yes to @sashh about study table, chair, cork board, bin in rooms.

I would get a dishwasher. More expensive but it might reduce the grimness of the kitchen somewhat.

@BobbyGentryit's not an air BnB though, which are typically used for short breaks and guests can't bring crockery etc with them.

Student flat which are longer lets, I would provide basic furniture and white goods. No bedding or crockery or small appliances.

Decent hoover as well as mop and bucket. You want them to be able to keep the place clean. Bin and recycling bins, including bathroom bin. Lots of hooks/drying rails in the bathroom.

Mattress protectors but not bedding, nor cutlery or crockery.

If the kitchen worktops are easy to mark I would put trivets/ heat proof mats out.

My d’s didn’t have a kettle or microwave or anything. On any of the years.

I would definitely provide a hoover.

This is madness.

Apart from the smoke and CM alarm which are a legal requirement.

@Number456 & @TartanMammy
… hover definitely, yes!

https://www.lawsonthompson.co.uk/lettings/factsheets/
… take a look at the lengths the letting agency Lawson and Thompson go to to educate students how to take care of a property. Many are only recently out of catered halls with well equipped communal kitchens and communal bathrooms that are cleaned weekly.

… I’d add window cleaner and monthly gardener too! Students don’t have a scooby. Treat others how you yourself wish to be treated and you ‘might’ get your place back as you’d left it! Students are daft!

I agree with your mum, @Bluepeach kettle & toaster etc, basic set up provided; just ensure everything is listed in the agreed inventory and signed within the first week of occupancy - good luck! Shelter Scotland have some great templates assets.ctfassets.net/6sqqfrl11sfj/6SsnWGvYJaQaAsq2HgDWog/5f6fac68df92dbf02bda66a154b56d39/Sample_inventory.pdf

DD is in a student flat. Just basics - we provide everything else…..

In my student days. We had provided

• sofas (enough seats for however many people were in the house)
• coffee table
• curtains
• lampshades
• hoover/mop and bucket
• white goods
• microwave and kettle
• bin in kitchen and bathroom bins
• bed and mattress (include mattress protector) ours were water resistant good job my house mates had a tendency to pee himself after a night out!
• wardrobe
• chest of drawers
• bedside table (no lamps brought our own)
• desk and desk chair

if they are coming from halls they will have a lot of their own stuff from there like plates/saucepans/cutlery etc. I would do a notice board in each bedroom so they can pin stuff up. I would do basics as most students want o personalise a bit like rugs/lamps etc

just make it clear what your providing so they know any gaps

Thanks for the advice - all sorted now.