Chappatte believes that landlords currently have a one-size-fits-all approach to students, emphasizing that every type of student should have the opportunity to find suitable housing.
Hybr provides intermediary services for students, landlords, and developers through its online platform and reduces environmental risks for landlords through a rent guarantee model, offering a secure investment choice.
Hybr's CEO, Hannah Chappatte, recently stated that student-focused rental platforms are more inclined to accept student tenants, as they are considered more reliable than employed tenants, given that their sources of payment are not influenced by the UK's economic downturn.
While there has been some wear and tear associated with the student market, Chappatte points out that students' rent comes from student loans, unaffected by workplace conditions, so landlords should be more willing to accept student tenants.
Chappatte told PropertyWire, "Students are more focused on their career prospects, while they also have to deal with the pressure of tuition fees.
"In the traditional rental market, they are more susceptible to the impact of economic backgrounds."
Chappatte believes that landlords' views on students are currently too categorical.
She added, "When you ask landlords, 'Are you willing to rent to students?' and then you ask, 'What about third-year medical students or postgraduates?'"
She emphasizes that every type of student should have the opportunity to find suitable housing, whether it's affordable basic accommodation or high-end properties.
Hybr provides intermediary services to students, landlords, and developers through its online platform.
At the age of 26, Chappatte was disappointed with the quality of student housing while studying for her humanities degree at the University of Bristol, which led her to establish the company at the young age of 22 in 2020.
She was surprised by the practice of agents requiring students to pay a full year's rent upfront and also noticed that student listings often appeared at the bottom of major property portals.
Chappatte noted that, for example, on Rightmove, regular listings typically receive 36 inquiries, while responses for student listings are few.
To minimize vacancy periods as much as possible, Hybr lists properties 10 months before students move out, and if students cannot pay rent, Hybr covers the rent.
Due to a waiting list of student tenants, vacant properties are often quickly filled with new tenants.
Hybr charges landlords using its platform a fee equivalent to 30-35% of one month's rent, depending on the level of property management they require.
As of now, the company operates in 10 university cities and is expanding on a large scale. For more details, click here.
Chappatte explained the platform's appeal to landlords.
She said, "For landlords, reducing environmental risk is very popular.
"As landlord costs rise and they consider exiting this area, our job is to optimize occupancy as much as possible.
"We are responsible for rent through a rent guarantee model, making it a secure investment for landlords."
