Student tenants’ expectations of rental property have reached an all-time high, according to the Association of Independent Inventory Clerks (AIIC).

Student numbers are also rapidly increasing; in August 2015 a record 409,000 applicants were accepted to start higher education courses, a rise of 3% according to UCAS.

While it’s clear that the demand for student homes is increasing, the AIIC have claimed that this market is now better informed and more discerning.

Student landlords must be aware that students will now expect a higher standard of décor, fixtures and fittings, and that “Granny’s second-hand furniture will no longer fit the bill” according to Patricia Barber, Head of the AIIC. 

Double beds, wide-screen TV’s and clean, bright homes are necessary in a modern student rental property, with students expecting that either TV or broadband costs being included within the monthly rental payments, alongside utility bills.

According to Glide Utilities’ most recent What Students Seek report, fast internet access was cited as important by 83% of student respondents and 72% named good storage facilities as vital.

At a time when students are on the look-out for new rental property, it has also been revealed that over half of students expressed their desire for a double bed, and a third said they would like an en-suite bathroom.