Straight-As - uni dropouts thrive with student letting agency

Two university dropouts who started their own student letting agency have recorded their busiest ever start to an academic year.

Harry Conti, 26, and Marcus Askam-Yates 28, founded Student Housing in 2015 and have just recorded an 82% increase in the number of students moving into their properties.

At the start of this academic year, the agency found accommodation for 1,223 student tenants, compared with 671 in 2018.

The agency also reports that its portfolio has swelled by 62% year-on-year.

"We are working with more landlords than last year, which is fantastic as we've had a record number of students approach us looking for a home from home," says Conti.

"We only work with landlords whose properties are in top condition, well decorated and equipped with the amenities that students demand, such as superfast broadband."

"Our bills-inclusive approach also makes it incredibly easy for students to manage their finances as they know exactly how much their accommodation is going to cost them," he says.

Conti says the agency, which operates in Lincoln, has had to ensure its team is large enough to cope with the increased number of student renters, while its tenant retention rate has eclipsed the 90% mark.

The entrepreneurs say they were inspired to start Student Housing when they were struggling to find accommodation themselves.

"We dropped out of university as we knew there was an opportunity to start a business that could make a real difference to students and landlords."

"Five years on and we're busier than ever before and have attracted a record number of students."

The company's turnover has quadrupled since opening for business, and last year Student Housing acquired properties worth over £3 million for investors looking to capitalise on Lincoln's student housing market.