City Residential and students’ union launch JV

Liverpool Students' Union and local estate agent City Residential have formed a new business aimed at transforming the student letting experience for both students and landlords.

Student Union Lettings is a 50:50 joint venture with two directors from each partner organisation, shortly to be joined by an independent.

Student Union Lettings is already recruiting landlords who, once vetted and approved, will have access to 26,000 students through the company's website, a dedicated office on Victoria Street and the student union itself.

City Residential was set up in 2000 and currently manages over 1,000 properties on behalf of landlords.

Alan Bevan, managing director at City Residential, said: "This is a really special partnership between two companies who can substantially improve not only the image of the student lettings market but also ensure that both students and landlords have a positive experience. We know what it takes to guarantee that both the landlord and the tenant are happy."

Andy Brown, commercial manager from Liverpool Students' Union, the independent students' union of Liverpool John Moores University, added: "Over the years we have listened to students' concerns and sometimes poor experiences in the student market and for the last 6 months we have interviewed students and landlords to ensure that our ethos and working practices are right. We recognise there is a market for a top class lettings agency. We know the students, and City Residential know the lettings market. Working together through one student-focused business is a perfect solution."

City Residential said Liverpool has over 50,000 students with over 40,000 full time and nearly 20,000 students living in rented accommodation.

Student numbers at Liverpool John Moores University have grown by nearly 40% over the last ten years.