Student let preparation in Exeter
Professional student let preparation services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£160-£260
Typical Duration
3-5 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Complete student property preparation for new academic year. Full inspection, all repairs, furniture checks, ready for September move-in. One visit sorts everything.
The Summer Scramble
Old students left in June. New students arrive September 1st. You've got 8 weeks to transform a knackered student house back to lettable condition.
💡 Pro tip: Most student house damage isn't terrible individually - it's death by a thousand cuts. Fifty little things that all need sorting. One systematic visit catches them all.
What Student Houses Need
| ✅ Properly Prepared | ❌ Rushed Job |
|---|---|
| Every room checked and fixed | Obvious stuff sorted, rest missed |
| Furniture solid, doors working | "Seems okay from here" |
| All appliances tested | Assume they work |
| Deposit deductions justified | Vague "general wear" claims |
I've prepped dozens of student houses in Exeter. I know what needs doing and what September-ready actually means.
What Gets Checked & Fixed
🏠 Full House Assessment
| Area | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Every bedroom | Furniture tightened, locks working, walls checked, lights tested |
| Kitchen | Appliances tested, cupboards adjusted, worktops fixed, sealant replaced |
| Bathrooms | Showers working, toilets solid, sealant renewed, extractors cleaned |
| Living areas | Furniture secured, sockets tested, radiators bled, doors adjusted |
| Throughout | Smoke alarms, locks, windows, minor decorating, broken fixtures |
🔧 Common Student Let Repairs
- Tighten wobbly furniture
- Replace broken drawer runners
- Fix sticking doors/windows
- Reseal bathrooms/kitchens
- Replace missing cupboard handles
- Touch up wall marks
- Tighten loose towel rails/toilet roll holders
- Test and replace smoke alarm batteries
Pricing Guide
| Property Size | Time Needed | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| 3-bed student house | 3-4 hrs | £160-£210 |
| 4-bed student house | 4-5 hrs | £210-£260 |
| 5-bed+ or bad condition | Quote | Depends on work needed |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Report of all work included.
Perfect For...
✅ Annual prep - every summer between tenants
✅ Multiple properties - batch scheduling through August
✅ Out-of-area landlords - comprehensive check and fix
✅ Inspection ready - catch everything before viewing
Why Choose Us for Student let preparation in Exeter?
Comprehensive snagging and repairs
Property inspection-ready
All maintenance issues caught
Coordinated with cleaners if needed
What to Expect
Step 1: Systematic Inspection
Room by room, testing everything. Furniture, appliances, fixtures, fittings. Make a list of every issue - from missing screw to broken drawer.
Step 2: Fix What's Fixable
Tighten, adjust, replace, touch up - all the minor repairs that make the difference. If something needs ordering or specialist work, it gets flagged.
Step 3: Full Report
You get a list of what was done, what still needs doing (if anything), and photos of any remaining issues for deposit discussions.
🔧 DIY Tips
Prepping your own student let? Here's the systematic approach:
🔧 Tools to bring
- Cordless drill/driver
- Screwdriver set
- Allen keys
- Adjustable spanner
- Spirit level
- Touch-up paint
- Sealant gun + cartridges
- WD40
- Wood glue
- Spare batteries (9V for smoke alarms)
📋 Room-by-room checklist
Bedrooms:
- Bed frame solid? (tighten all bolts)
- Wardrobe doors close properly?
- Desk drawers run smoothly?
- Desk chair stable?
- Light works?
- Socket works? (test with phone charger)
- Door closes and locks?
- Window opens and locks?
Kitchen:
- Every appliance turns on and works
- All cupboard doors aligned
- Drawer runners intact
- Worktop edging stuck down
- Sealant around sink intact
- Hob clean, all rings work
- Extractor fan works
Bathrooms:
- Toilet flushes properly, doesn't run
- Seat secure (students break these constantly)
- Shower works, good pressure
- Bath plug seals
- Sealant around bath/shower intact (crucial!)
- Extractor works
- Tiles secure
Throughout:
- Test every smoke alarm
- Check every lock works smoothly
- Radiators heat up (bleed if needed)
- All light bulbs work
- Stair carpet secure
- Front door closes properly
⚠️ Student house specific issues
- Furniture is never as solid as it looks - test by shaking
- Bathroom sealant always needs replacing
- Smoke alarms always need new batteries
- Cheap flatpack drawer runners always break
- Door handles come loose from overuse
- Kitchen cupboard doors get wonky
💡 Pro trick: Keep a "snag list" as you go. Don't try to fix things as you find them - you'll miss stuff. Complete inspection first, then tackle repairs systematically.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🎯 Timing tip: Book prep for early August. You want it done after the property's been cleaned but with time to order parts or book specialists if needed. Don't leave it to last minute.
Really bad damage? Some years you get students who've trashed the place. Document everything photographically before starting repairs - evidence for deposit claims. Then decide what must be fixed versus what's coming from deposits.
Multiple properties? Book them all together in summer. I can do 2-3 properties a week through July/August. September is too late - everyone's panicking and trades are rammed.
Cleaning coordination? Most landlords get cleaners in first, then I do the prep. Means I'm not working around cleaning equipment, and I can check if cleaning's actually been done properly.
Exeter student areas? St James, Pennsylvania, city center - I know them all. Parking's terrible but I've done enough student houses to know the workarounds.
September emergencies? If you're reading this in late August thinking "shit, I haven't prepped the house yet" - call me. I'll fit you in somehow, but it'll be tight. Book earlier next year!
Frequently Asked Questions
What's involved in student let prep?
Full property check - test everything works, fix what's broken, tighten what's loose, replace what's worn out. Smoke alarms, locks, furniture, appliances, decorating touch-ups. Basically get the house from 'last lot trashed it' to 'ready for September intake'.
When should this be done?
July/August ideally. After the old students have left and cleaned up, before the new lot move in September. Gives you time to order parts, do repairs, coordinate deep cleaning, all ready for new tenancy.
Can you coordinate with cleaners and other trades?
Yes - I often work alongside cleaners or schedule my visit after theirs. If I find bigger issues needing specialists (gas engineer, electrician), I'll flag them so you can book those in before move-in.
What if you find loads of damage?
You get a full list with photos. I'll quote for what I can fix, and flag anything needing specialists. You decide what gets done before new tenants versus what gets claimed from deposits.
How many properties can you do in a week?
Most student houses take half to full day depending on condition. I can usually do 8-10 properties through August if you book early. September's mental so book in summer.
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01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
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