Key takeaways
- Student housing turn refers to the transition period between one group of students moving out and another group moving in.
- Some best practices for guaranteeing a smooth transition at your student housing property include using a student housing turn checklist, investing in property technology, conducting dorm inspections, and enforcing student housing rules and regulations.
If you manage a student housing property, one of the most critical periods you’ll face is the “student housing turn.” This student housing maintenance period can be incredibly hectic as you ensure your property is ready for new students within a limited timeframe. Fortunately, modern property technology like video intercom systems can streamline this process — granting seamless access to incoming students and revoking access permissions for former ones.
Join us as we reveal ten valuable tips for preparing your dorms and student housing apartments to guarantee a seamless transition for everyone at your property.
In this guide, we cover:
What is a student turn?
Student housing turn refers to the transitional period between new students moving in at the start of a semester and former students moving out at the end of a semester.
Due to these high turnover rates, periods of student housing turn can result in a lot of traffic due to the influx of new students to your property. The outflow of former students moving out can also be hectic. So, it’s essential to manage this process effectively.
10 ways to have a successful student housing turn
Successfully managing the transition between move-ins and move-outs is vital for maintaining high occupancy rates and student satisfaction.
To help you navigate this busy period, here are ten useful tips for a successful student turn to streamline your process:
- Be proactive
- Use a student turn checklist
- Stock up on maintenance supplies
- Schedule routine maintenance
- Use property technology to your advantage
- Use automation tools to streamline communications
- Conduct dorm inspections
- Enforce student housing rules and regulations
- Collaborate with trusted vendors
- Foster a sense of community by wearing branded shirts
1. Be proactive
As a student housing property manager, you’re well aware of the typical periods of student turnover rates on your campus.
Anticipate periods of high turnover, such as the beginning and end of the academic year, and plan accordingly. This might involve hiring additional temporary staff or extending work hours to ensure all your tasks are completed on time.
2. Use a student turn checklist
Develop a detailed cleaning and repair checklist for your maintenance team. Units naturally require routine maintenance following large-scale move-outs. So, ensure that no aspect of a unit is overlooked and that your property is restored to its best possible condition before new students move in.
Download your FREE student housing turn checklist:
3. Stock up on maintenance supplies
Keep a detailed inventory of all furnishings and appliances provided in each unit. This will help you quickly identify any missing or damaged items and ensure that replacements can be sourced in a timely manner.
4. Schedule routine maintenance
Schedule routine maintenance like cleanings and minor repairs of amenities. Regular property maintenance keeps your property in top condition for new students. What’s more, collaborate with your maintenance team to significantly reduce your staff’s stress and workload during this busy period.
Pro tip: Use automated tools like property management software to schedule routine maintenance automatically. Moreover, access control systems can automatically grant access to authorized cleaners, technicians, and service providers.
5. Use property technology to your advantage
Leverage property technology to simplify your student turn process. Automation tools schedule maintenance tasks, while access control systems allow seamless access for everyone who enters and exits your property.
These technologies are designed to significantly reduce your team’s workload. For instance, mobile access control systems empower students to open any entry point with their smartphones, eliminating the need to issue physical keys.
What’s more, vehicle access control systems streamline access for authorized vehicles to your property automatically.
6. Use automation tools to streamline communications
Maintain open lines of communication with your students by providing clear instructions and timelines for move-out procedures. Additionally, ensure that new students receive all necessary information about their move-in process.
Automation tools empower you to automatically send out welcome packets with key details about your property. These packets also include contact information for maintenance requests and any community guidelines.
Pro tip: If you use property technology like mobile access control systems, include information about where to download your mobile access control app. This allows students to open doors and gates with their smartphones. What’s more, include information for your students on how to share virtual keys with visitors and service providers.
Learn how to automate your student housing:
7. Conduct dorm inspections
Schedule inspections with outgoing students to document the current condition of each unit. This helps you identify damages and necessary repairs ahead of time. As a result, inspections allow you to address issues promptly and avoid last-minute surprises.
Moreover, consider using digital tools for inspections and documentation. In fact, some apps allow you to take photos, create checklists, and record notes. So, you can streamline your inspection process and ensure that all necessary information is accurately captured and easily accessible.
8. Enforce student housing rules and regulations
A well-defined student housing policy can streamline your turn process. What’s more, these policies outline expectations for cleanliness, reporting damages, and move-out procedures.
Here’s why enforcing student housing rules and regulations is important:
- Keep students informed to reduce mishaps. Clear policies help reduce disputes and ensure both outgoing and incoming students understand their responsibilities. Communicating these policies clearly and making them easily accessible also helps avoid any misunderstandings.
- Minimize disruptions. Ensure that all students are aware of and adhere to your student housing rules and regulations. This includes policies on noise, guest policies, and property damage. Enforcing these student housing regulations prevents issues during the turn period and maintains a positive living environment.
- Comply with local regulations. Check your region’s student housing age limit to ensure compliance with local regulations. Some areas have specific age restrictions for student housing, which can impact student eligibility. Moreover, keeping students informed about these limits helps set accurate expectations and avoid potential legal issues.
Pro tip: Send regular reminders and include valuable information in your student welcome packet to inform new and returning students of updated policies.
9. Collaborate with trusted vendors
Establish relationships with student housing turn vendors who can supply necessary materials and services for your property. Whether it’s cleaning supplies, paint, or furniture, having reliable vendors ensures you won’t face delays due to supply shortages.
What’s more, regularly communicating with these vendors helps you anticipate and identify needs and avoid last-minute scrambles for essential items.
10. Foster a sense of community by wearing branded shirts
Providing your team with branded student housing turn shirts fosters a sense of community and is a great way to welcome new students. Moreover, it helps students identify staff easily. These shirts help jumpstart the new academic year by improving team morale and making students feel valued and part of a tight-knit community.
