Frequently asked questions
Where are the houses?
My houses are in the best student streets in central Cathays within a safe 5 minute walk to the Cardiff University student’s union building. I have other houses in North Cathays, near the UHW, ideal for students studying at the Heath Hospital and also houses in Roath and Penylan, ideal for students studying at the UWIC/Cardiff Met campuses, as well as several which offer easier access to ATRiuM.
What is the quality of the houses?
I believe I have some of the best student housing in Cardiff. I have been housing students for nearly 40 years and I am known as an excellent landlord. I pride myself on providing both the best accommodation and the best service in Cardiff. Many tenants stay with me for as long as their university course will allow!
What do the houses contain?
All of the houses are slightly different but all are fitted out to a high standard, with most of them recently remodelled to the highest specification. They are all furnished, have double bedrooms, a sitting room, fitted kitchen with modern appliances such as washing machine and tumble drier, fridge and freezer, a garden or a back yard, and bathroom(s) with power shower as well as a bath. Other houses have even more toys. Houses are professionally painted on a regular basis, regularly recarpeted and upgraded in all respects as and when required. They are wired to enable either telephone or cable based internet access. Many houses have multiple bathrooms.
How many share a house?
All of my houses are 2-storey terrace houses and they are all slightly different. The majority are for 3 to 7 people sharing. I find these size groups succeed very well socially. Also, they are appropriate for Cathays-sized properties.
What about maintenance or other issues?
I have a dedicated maintenance manager who can be easily contacted during working hours. He allocates a plumber, carpenter, painter, electrician or builder from our team to any jobs that need to be addressed. I value my good reputation highly and consider maintenance a high priority. A gardener visits each house monthly to cut the grass or sweep the back yards. Tenants get to know and like my maintenance team. My highly experienced and friendly lettings manager is available to deal with any non-maintenance issues you may have, and I am also happy to hear from my tenants directly.
How secure are the properties?
Security is a top priority for me. Few of my houses have a back or lane entrance. All front doors have two locks: a 5 lever BS standard lock as well as a Yale lock. Appropriate locking mechanisms are installed on all back doors and windows as required.
What is the rent and what does it include?
Rent ranges from £65-£80 pw. over a 12 month contract. Utility costs are extra. All houses have modern gas central heating systems. All boilers are serviced and safety checked annually.