Student Letting Market in London Likely To Grow in Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster in 2009

Many landlords' views of student lets are more shaped by watching Rick Mayall in "The Young Ones" than any actual experience of having them as tenants. The reality of student lets in London is very different and we see fewer problems with student than most other tenants. As one of our multi property landlords argues; "Give me a student rather than a lawyer as a tenant any day".

Many lets are to overseas students where the rent for the term or a substantial amount is paid in advance. For UK grown students a guarantor is generally required, ensuring that parents or favorite uncles and aunts assume an interest in ensuring that the property is well cared for.

We saw a small decline in 2006/7 in students renting in prime areas of London, including Kensington, South Kensington, Chelsea, Westminster and Notting Hill. There simply weren't enough properties to go round and tenants found themselves priced out of the market by bankers and city companies doling out with generous relocation allowances. With fewer corporate family tenants now in the market to rent a new home in London, students have a wider choice of flats and houses to rent that are suitable for sharers.

There are already more enquiries coming in for flats to let in London from well heeled language students. The decline in the value of the pound and in many London rents means that prime areas such as Knightsbridge are very much in vogue again as they become more affordable. It's great news for mum too, who can once again nip into Harvey Nichols when visting.

The traditionally busy summer months look set to provide a boost for landlords in central London this year - at least for those wise enough to dispel any lasting images of anarchist punks, spivs and hippies that popular culture left of student lettings back in the 1980s.