In a city full of student houses, making your rental property stand out in Bristol’s competitive student lettings market doesn’t need to be expensive or time-consuming. Small, smart upgrades can make a big impact and often mean the difference between a quick let or weeks of voids.
Here’s what we’ve found works best at Front Door Lettings when it comes to attracting student tenants across Bristol.
1. Add a Bit of Colour – Feature Walls Win Views
Student houses don’t need to be bland. Adding a feature wall with a bold colour, think navy blue, forest green, or burnt orange, can bring character to a room instantly.
Even just painting one wall in the living room or bedrooms makes your property stand out in listing photos, which is where first impressions are made. We’ve seen properties with a well-thought-out colour scheme rent faster, especially in busy areas like Redland, Gloucester Road and Fishponds.
It’s a low-cost way to add personality without putting tenants off – just avoid overly bright or niche colours.
2. Functional Furniture – Give Them a Proper Desk
A lot of student lets still come with desks that are too small or impractical for actual studying. If you want to attract students who take their work seriously (and many do), provide a proper desk in every bedroom – large enough to fit a laptop, books, and a lamp.
Pair it with a comfortable, supportive chair. It’s a small upgrade, but it shows you’ve thought about their day-to-day life.
Students are now more discerning. With online learning and hybrid study options, a good work-from-home setup can be a key selling point.
3. Don’t Forget the Outdoors – Low-Maintenance Gardens with Seating
Not every student house will have a garden, but if yours does, even a small one, it’s a huge bonus if done right.
Keep it low maintenance: gravel or paving is ideal, as students are unlikely to mow grass or tend to borders. Add a park bench or outdoor dining set and suddenly you’ve created another usable space for tenants to socialise.
It also helps at viewings—prospective tenants can easily picture BBQs, summer evenings, or even just a place to get some fresh air during revision season.
4. Go the Extra Step with Wall Hooks and Storage
Students often come with more stuff than they realise—coats, bags, bikes, and books. Small additions like:
- Wall hooks behind doors
- Shelving above desks or beds
- Bike racks in the hallway or garden
…all make your property feel more thought-out. You’re not just letting a room, you’re creating a functional living space.
These kinds of details can be the deciding factor when students are viewing multiple similar properties in one day.
5. Keep the Basics Strong: Clean, Safe, and Well-Lit
None of the above will work if the basics aren’t right. Your property should be:
- Professionally cleaned before marketing
- Well-lit in all rooms
- Compliant with HMO and fire safety standards (interlinked smoke alarms, fire doors, etc.)
- Equipped with reliable heating and decent appliances
These aren’t selling points – they’re expectations. But doing them properly ensures your standout features don’t go to waste.
Final Thoughts: It’s Not About Spending More – It’s About Thinking Smarter
In the Bristol student lettings market, it’s often the small touches that lead to faster lets and better tenants.
At Front Door Lettings, we work with landlords to make sure every property we list is set up to succeed. If you’re preparing your student property for the next academic year and want some guidance, we’re happy to advise.
A lick of paint, a functional desk, a park bench, and some clever storage can go a long way in a crowded market. Get in touch if you’d like help getting your property let quickly and at the right price.
