Where to Start?
Research is key, if you are looking to buy in an area or city unknown to you, then it is essential to understand which parts are right for you and your prospective students. Many cities have more than one major college or uni, some providing campuses solely for students; this is generally a good place to start.
Students want to live near other students, close to uni and have easy access to the centre of town. Avoid areas where the locals have a bad reputation with students!
What to Look For?
Before looking it is good to have an idea of what you are looking for, depending on your experience, budget, time scale and confidence. Larger properties usually have greater potential for profit but also carry a greater risk. Luckily planning regulations are set to change to make it easier for owners to make home improvements. For example: adding bathrooms or bedrooms, small extensions and tackling climate change, which should help you develop your student house to maximize profit and desirability.
A successful student house is situated near an academic landmark, such as a university, library or hospital. It has two or more bedrooms, ideally around 4 or 5, since the more students living there, the more rent is generated. Also communal areas will always be appreciated and could be the clincher that keeps your property in demand. If your property does not meet the above requirements, it might be more suitable targeting professionals instead of students, who are generally looking for fewer bedrooms, good size open plan kitchens, off street parking and a garden. It is essential to know the right target audience for your property.
Things to remember
Choosing a reliable letting agent is crucial, make sure they are registered with the ARLA (Association of Residential Letting Agents) to avoid being scammed and a good letting agent should make your student letting as stress free as possible. Registering the house with the local university or academic establishment will also help attract as many students as possible. Be careful to make sure your property complies with the latest health and safety regulations, including things like having a valid gas safety certificate.
Finally it's a good idea to insert a damage clause into the tenancy agreement, to cover and protect your possessions / furnishings within the house.
Article Source : Industrial Real Estate
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Comment sought on housing by-laws
Written by Rudo Mungoshi | |
Thursday, 14 May 2009
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Complaints from neighbours have prompted the City to draw up by-laws regarding communal housing, particularly regarding student digs. A set of draft by-laws is being prepared to crack down on overcrowding in accommodation intended for students and low-income workers, and the City wants public input into its plans. A public meeting will be held on Thursday, 28 May from 6pm to 8.30pm at the council chambers in the University of Johannesburg's new administration building on its Kingsway Campus, to discuss the future of communal housing. According to the assistant director of development planning and facilitation, Linah Dube, the draft policy seeks to address slumlording and reduce the number of illegal establishments in the city. The draft policy is being formulated in response to complaints made by residents staying close to the universities of Johannesburg and the Witwatersrand regarding the behaviour of students living in near-by communes. The complaints relate to:
"The residents are not only complaining about the students. They are also concerned about slumlording and the general decay of the residential area. The slumlords often take advantage of less fortunate students and lowly paid workers and crowd them in inhumane conditions for profit," she said. There are about 63 000 students registered at the two niversities, which only provide accommodation for 15 000 students. The rest of those students whose homes are not in Johannesburg, have to find living space in nearby neighbourhoods. Communal housing provides an income for property owners and renters, while meeting the need for suitable accommodation of students and the working class. Comments on the draft by-laws should be submitted before Monday, 22 June to Linah Dube, at the Metro Centre, 10th floor, A Block; or by email to Copies of the draft by-laws will be available online from 3 June, and at the following Customer Care Centres from 4 June:
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Friday, May 29, 2009
Auckland Park - Student Hotpsot
Buy-to-let investors are beginning to take an interest once more in Auckland Park, which is one of Johannesburg’s prime spots for student accommodation.
So says Lewis Kennett, sales agent for leading local agency Homenet/ Harcourts Jon Rosenberg, who notes that investor interest has been rekindled by the fact that entry-level bachelor lofts in the area are now being marketed for around R350 000.
Additionally, there is no shortage of rental demand. Set between Wits University and the University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park attracts thousands of students annually, and is also popular with academics, doctors and nurses at the nearby hospitals and media workers at the SABC and Mediapark complexes, who pay an average R3000 monthly rent.
Says Kennett: “Additionally, there is no shortage of takers for rooms at the student houses and communes in Auckland Park which generally go for around R1700pm. However, most owners are opting to hold on to these properties as they can afford to do so.”
More upmarket accommodation is also available to students at The Yard, where sectional title units are renting for up to R9000pm and cost over R1m to buy.
As for the ordinary freehold properties in Auckland Park, they are being targeted by black diamonds and increasingly, Indian buyers. Indeed, notes Kennett, the Muslim community has grown to such an extent that a mosque is currently being built in the area.
Article by: www.harcourts.co.zahttp://www.harcourts.co.za/
So says Lewis Kennett, sales agent for leading local agency Homenet/ Harcourts Jon Rosenberg, who notes that investor interest has been rekindled by the fact that entry-level bachelor lofts in the area are now being marketed for around R350 000.
Additionally, there is no shortage of rental demand. Set between Wits University and the University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park attracts thousands of students annually, and is also popular with academics, doctors and nurses at the nearby hospitals and media workers at the SABC and Mediapark complexes, who pay an average R3000 monthly rent.
Says Kennett: “Additionally, there is no shortage of takers for rooms at the student houses and communes in Auckland Park which generally go for around R1700pm. However, most owners are opting to hold on to these properties as they can afford to do so.”
More upmarket accommodation is also available to students at The Yard, where sectional title units are renting for up to R9000pm and cost over R1m to buy.
As for the ordinary freehold properties in Auckland Park, they are being targeted by black diamonds and increasingly, Indian buyers. Indeed, notes Kennett, the Muslim community has grown to such an extent that a mosque is currently being built in the area.
Article by: www.harcourts.co.zahttp://www.harcourts.co.za/
Monday, May 25, 2009
Student Loans
Getting an education has never been so important, but how does one go about financing such an expensive investment?
A student loan is probably the first and last dread of every student! Its the endless thought of debt hanging over your head with a little factor called interest still playing with your mind. But it's still probably the most utilised option and this method has helped thousands of South Africans achieve successful qualifications!
So how do you go about sorting out your student loans? It's quite a procedure but it's quicker if you do your preparation first.
Step 1: You need to have been accepted into a South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) accredited institution.
Step 2: You need a valid ID.
Step 3: Proof of Registration at the institution.
Step 4: A set of your previous results (this can be matric, varsity, college etc, wherever you last studied)
Step 5: Life insurance: If you haven’t had a life insurance policy made for you, the bank will arrange one for you.
Step 6: Proof of residence not more than three months old.
Step 7: You need to find someone to stand surety for your loan, this person needs to have a full time job and not be black listed. The person will be responsible for paying the monthly interest on the loan during the period of study as well as stand guarantor for the loan. The person needs to provide a copy of their ID, a salary slip not older than three months and marriage status documents (i.e. if the individual is married in community of property etc). Finally the individual
standing surety will also need to provide proof of residency and again not older than three months old.
Hectic we know, you pretty much giving everything except a sample of your DNA.
Okay here are some quick tips and facts:
1.The individual who is taking the loan can actually stand surety for themselves! Provided they have a full time job and a salary slip not older than three months (yet again another three month rule!!)
2.Compare options that various banks and financial institutions have to offer, you may be able to negotiate a better interest rate.
3.Once you start paying off your loan, speak to your bank about an extension in the case of you not being able to make the full payment in the allocated time.
Contacts:
Standard Bank: http://www.standardbank.co.za/
ABSA: http://www.absa.co.za/
Nedbank: http://www.nedbank.co.za/
First National Bank: http://www.fnb.co.za/
Edu-Loan: http://www.eduloan.co.za/
Article: http://www.firsstep.co.za/
A student loan is probably the first and last dread of every student! Its the endless thought of debt hanging over your head with a little factor called interest still playing with your mind. But it's still probably the most utilised option and this method has helped thousands of South Africans achieve successful qualifications!
So how do you go about sorting out your student loans? It's quite a procedure but it's quicker if you do your preparation first.
Step 1: You need to have been accepted into a South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) accredited institution.
Step 2: You need a valid ID.
Step 3: Proof of Registration at the institution.
Step 4: A set of your previous results (this can be matric, varsity, college etc, wherever you last studied)
Step 5: Life insurance: If you haven’t had a life insurance policy made for you, the bank will arrange one for you.
Step 6: Proof of residence not more than three months old.
Step 7: You need to find someone to stand surety for your loan, this person needs to have a full time job and not be black listed. The person will be responsible for paying the monthly interest on the loan during the period of study as well as stand guarantor for the loan. The person needs to provide a copy of their ID, a salary slip not older than three months and marriage status documents (i.e. if the individual is married in community of property etc). Finally the individual
standing surety will also need to provide proof of residency and again not older than three months old.
Hectic we know, you pretty much giving everything except a sample of your DNA.
Okay here are some quick tips and facts:
1.The individual who is taking the loan can actually stand surety for themselves! Provided they have a full time job and a salary slip not older than three months (yet again another three month rule!!)
2.Compare options that various banks and financial institutions have to offer, you may be able to negotiate a better interest rate.
3.Once you start paying off your loan, speak to your bank about an extension in the case of you not being able to make the full payment in the allocated time.
Contacts:
Standard Bank: http://www.standardbank.co.za/
ABSA: http://www.absa.co.za/
Nedbank: http://www.nedbank.co.za/
First National Bank: http://www.fnb.co.za/
Edu-Loan: http://www.eduloan.co.za/
Article: http://www.firsstep.co.za/
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Wireless Internet to be introduced at all residences
Let and Stay is rolling out a very exciting program to have all its managed residences connected to the Internet.
We will be introducing wireless technology to offer all our tenants access to the Internet at broadband speeds.
The costs would be very affordable and will be cheaper than for instance a 3G connection from one of the cellular phone operators. Tenants would be able to buy their bandwidth online (credit card or SMS) or with prepaid vouchers available from our office.
With your WI-FI enabled desktop or laptop you would now be able to be part of the online community and hopefully contribute to your studies (and music collection) more productively. In addition to your data connectivity you would also be able to use ADSL phone technology such as Skype to keep in touch with your family and friends.
Non Let and Stay landlords wanting to offer this service to their tenants are welcome to contact Let and Stay to discuss the option of installing this system at their properties and offering their tenants this value added service.
We will be introducing wireless technology to offer all our tenants access to the Internet at broadband speeds.
The costs would be very affordable and will be cheaper than for instance a 3G connection from one of the cellular phone operators. Tenants would be able to buy their bandwidth online (credit card or SMS) or with prepaid vouchers available from our office.
With your WI-FI enabled desktop or laptop you would now be able to be part of the online community and hopefully contribute to your studies (and music collection) more productively. In addition to your data connectivity you would also be able to use ADSL phone technology such as Skype to keep in touch with your family and friends.
Non Let and Stay landlords wanting to offer this service to their tenants are welcome to contact Let and Stay to discuss the option of installing this system at their properties and offering their tenants this value added service.
State of the art IT system to be introduced
Let and Stay has embarked on an ambitious revamp of their IT system offering a myriad of (free) benefits to landlords and tenants alike. They have partnered with an international group to offer the following benefits with this new system:
Landlords will be able to log online and in real time view 24/7;
Landlords will be able to log online and in real time view 24/7;
- Tenants in their properties.
- Disbursement history.
- Property inspection reports with photos.
- Investment reports such as vacancy rates and extra charges vs income.
- Online statements
- Updating of details and correspondence with Let and Stay.
- and much more...
Tenants would be able to log online and view their payment history, extra charges levied, outstanding amounts due, updating of personal details, property inspection reports with comments and several other features.
The system is truly state of the art and will give Let and Stay the opportunity to offer its clients a 21st century, online solution, as a value added benefit.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Baie kampusse, min plek - UJ bars uit sy nate Beeld 3 March 2009
Chantal Gouws
Baie studente het al 13:00 die Studentesentrum (SS) aangedurf en was dadelik spyt oor hul besluit. Middagete is geen tyd om die SS te betree nie – tensy dit vir jou pret klink om in ’n ry te staan.
Dit is maar een van die bewyse dat die Auckland Park -kampus (APK) oorbevolk is. Die SS is vol, parkering is skaars en badkamers is vol.
Maar dit is die oorvol klasse wat die meeste studente moedeloos maak.
Engelse B.Comm. (rekeningkunde)-studente op die APK voel veral die effek van die bevolkingsdruk.
Adele de Vos, ’n eerstejaar-rekeningkundestudent, het ’n sterk mening daaroor. “Ek haat dit! Ons moet altyd ’n uur voor die tyd in die klas wees of ons kry nie plek nie!”
Michelle Gouws, ’n derdejaarregsstudent, sê hul Engelse klasse is sedert 2007 oorbevolk. “Mense sit al vir drie jaar op die trappe.”
Op die Doornfontein-kampus (DFC) en Buntingstraat-kampus (APB) voel studente ook dié druk.
Richardt Lemmer, ’n derdejaar-chiropraktisynstudent op DFC, sê al loop hul klasse nie oor nie, is daar nooit parkering beskikbaar nie.
Anke van Zyl, wat besig is met haar honneursgraad in bedryfsielkunde, is ’n tutor op APB. Buiten die feit dat die klasse warm is, kry sy die studente jammer. “Dis ongemaklik. Hulle kan nie op die bord sien van die trappe af nie.”
Volgens mnr. Herman Esterhuizen, mediabeampte van die Universiteit van Johannesburg (UJ), het daar teen 18 Februarie 2009 ’n totaal van 46 273 studente by die universiteit geregistreer. Daar is vanjaar 3 659 meer eerstejaars as in 2008.
Die UJ moet voldoen aan riglyne wat gestel word deur die nasionale departement van onderwys se enrolment plan vir elke universiteit wat studentegetalle en subsidies bepaal. Maar as kapasiteit ’n probleem is, wat het van ons ander kampus, die Oos-Rand-kampus (ERC), geword?
Dié kampus is kort na die ontstaan van UJ “tydelik” gesluit om dit te omskep in ’n kampus wat sou spesialiseer in ingenieurswese en bou-wetenskappe.
’n Oud-ERC student, wat anoniem wil bly, voel sy hele lewe is ontwrig deur die sluiting.
“Daar is aan ons beloftes gemaak omtrent vervoer en die heropening van die kampus, maar dit het nooit gebeur nie.” Hy durf maar daagliks die verkeer aan Auckland Park toe. Volgens hom word daar gereeld vergaderings beplan tussen oudstudente van die ERC en universiteitsowerhede, maar dit word glo telkens gekanselleer.
Esterhuizen sê UJ gaan op versoek van die nasionale departement van onderwys ’n omvangryke voorlegging aan dié departement oor die toekoms van die ERC maak.
Die voorstel behels dat die fakulteit ingenieurswese en bou-omgewing op dié kampus programme in vervaardigings-ingenieurswese sal aanbied, in samewerking met ’n plaaslike FET-kollege.
“Om dié programme te kan aanbied, moet daar duur infrastruktuur geskep word. UJ kan nie die koste daarvan alleen dra nie,” sê Esterhuizen.
UJ het die departement van onderwys gevra om staatsfondse beskikbaar te stel vir die ontwikkeling van die ERC. Die departement sal blykbaar teen einde vandeesmaand formeel op dié versoek reageer.
Baie studente het al 13:00 die Studentesentrum (SS) aangedurf en was dadelik spyt oor hul besluit. Middagete is geen tyd om die SS te betree nie – tensy dit vir jou pret klink om in ’n ry te staan.
Dit is maar een van die bewyse dat die Auckland Park -kampus (APK) oorbevolk is. Die SS is vol, parkering is skaars en badkamers is vol.
Maar dit is die oorvol klasse wat die meeste studente moedeloos maak.
Engelse B.Comm. (rekeningkunde)-studente op die APK voel veral die effek van die bevolkingsdruk.
Adele de Vos, ’n eerstejaar-rekeningkundestudent, het ’n sterk mening daaroor. “Ek haat dit! Ons moet altyd ’n uur voor die tyd in die klas wees of ons kry nie plek nie!”
Michelle Gouws, ’n derdejaarregsstudent, sê hul Engelse klasse is sedert 2007 oorbevolk. “Mense sit al vir drie jaar op die trappe.”
Op die Doornfontein-kampus (DFC) en Buntingstraat-kampus (APB) voel studente ook dié druk.
Richardt Lemmer, ’n derdejaar-chiropraktisynstudent op DFC, sê al loop hul klasse nie oor nie, is daar nooit parkering beskikbaar nie.
Anke van Zyl, wat besig is met haar honneursgraad in bedryfsielkunde, is ’n tutor op APB. Buiten die feit dat die klasse warm is, kry sy die studente jammer. “Dis ongemaklik. Hulle kan nie op die bord sien van die trappe af nie.”
Volgens mnr. Herman Esterhuizen, mediabeampte van die Universiteit van Johannesburg (UJ), het daar teen 18 Februarie 2009 ’n totaal van 46 273 studente by die universiteit geregistreer. Daar is vanjaar 3 659 meer eerstejaars as in 2008.
Die UJ moet voldoen aan riglyne wat gestel word deur die nasionale departement van onderwys se enrolment plan vir elke universiteit wat studentegetalle en subsidies bepaal. Maar as kapasiteit ’n probleem is, wat het van ons ander kampus, die Oos-Rand-kampus (ERC), geword?
Dié kampus is kort na die ontstaan van UJ “tydelik” gesluit om dit te omskep in ’n kampus wat sou spesialiseer in ingenieurswese en bou-wetenskappe.
’n Oud-ERC student, wat anoniem wil bly, voel sy hele lewe is ontwrig deur die sluiting.
“Daar is aan ons beloftes gemaak omtrent vervoer en die heropening van die kampus, maar dit het nooit gebeur nie.” Hy durf maar daagliks die verkeer aan Auckland Park toe. Volgens hom word daar gereeld vergaderings beplan tussen oudstudente van die ERC en universiteitsowerhede, maar dit word glo telkens gekanselleer.
Esterhuizen sê UJ gaan op versoek van die nasionale departement van onderwys ’n omvangryke voorlegging aan dié departement oor die toekoms van die ERC maak.
Die voorstel behels dat die fakulteit ingenieurswese en bou-omgewing op dié kampus programme in vervaardigings-ingenieurswese sal aanbied, in samewerking met ’n plaaslike FET-kollege.
“Om dié programme te kan aanbied, moet daar duur infrastruktuur geskep word. UJ kan nie die koste daarvan alleen dra nie,” sê Esterhuizen.
UJ het die departement van onderwys gevra om staatsfondse beskikbaar te stel vir die ontwikkeling van die ERC. Die departement sal blykbaar teen einde vandeesmaand formeel op dié versoek reageer.
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