STUDENTS have defied stereotypes to emerge as some of the most reliable tenants a landlord can have.

The National Landlords Association found students were the least likely tenants to miss a rental payment.

Only 38 per cent of landlords who let to students in the past year had problems with arrears, according to the association’s latest Landlord Panel survey.

Student landlords also experienced the lowest incidence of empty properties.

Student tenants and houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) offered the highest rental yield – six and seven per cent respectively, compared with a 6.1 per cent UK average.

Des Simmons, managing director of Bournecoast in Bournemouth, said: “It is encouraging to see such positive figures reported by landlords who let to students.

However, it also very important to bear in mind that letting property to students – indeed, letting to any tenant group – is not an easy win.”

He added: “As with all tenancies, it’s important to establish a good, professional relationship from the start.

“It is also essential that you set out fair terms in your tenancy agreement and that both landlord and tenant fully understand their obligations throughout the tenancy.”

Steve Bartlett, who is the Dorset representative of the National Landlords Assoication, said: “Generally student rents do produce a higher yield, but there are also risks associated with letting to students, particularly in terms of the state they can leave the place in.”

He said the higher rent yields from student accommodation had helped drive a shortage of accommodation for other prospective tenants locally.

“We do have a high percentage of students in Bournemouth and that does put pressure on housing, particularly for families.

“There’s a real shortage of family rented accommodation available,” he added.