IPM manage some of the best Lancaster University accredited and Lancaster City Council licensed student houses and flats in the city.
What does IPM stand for?
INCLUSIVE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT. We aim to include as many services, utilities and insurances in our contracted rent as possible.
The benefit of this allows our student tenants and landlords to know there will be no hidden costs. Our student tenants know exactly what rent they will be paying when they sign their tenancy agreement. They also know their utility costs and insurances are covered which allows them to budget and get the most from their university experience.
From a landlord’s perspective our property owners know the exact amount of rent they will receive when they sign their tenancy agreement. Our landlords are made aware that their maintenance and insurance costs are covered, which allows them to budget and removes potential worries faced when renting out a property.
What types of student accommodation do IPM manage?
IPM offers a wide range of Lancaster student accommodation. We manage both houses and apartments, ranging from 1 bedroomed to 9 bedroomed. All our properties differ with the exception being that they all benefit from the same ‘inclusive property management’ services and utilities package.
Where are IPM’s student properties located?
All our IPM student rented houses and apartments are located off-campus in South Lancaster’s most popular residential areas. These areas provide easy access to the city and Universities, benefitting from excellent bus routes and local services.
IPM does not manage any accommodation north of the River Lune, or in areas of the city that could be considered less student friendly and therefore may not provide the accommodation or student experience that our tenants expect.
How much does an IPM property cost to rent?
IPM’s rent is on average £110 a week. With IPM, a budget of £110 should give you plenty of choice when it comes to selecting the student accommodation best suited for you.
How long is an IPM tenancy agreement?
IPM leases have one tenancy length, 48 weeks. If students have renewed their tenancy we try to be as flexible as possible and provide extensions where requested, and as such additional rent charges would be made.
What’s included in my IPM rent?
In partnership with Escape Campus, our contractors and suppliers, IPM are confident our tenant and landlord customers receive the most comprehensive inclusive tenancy management package in Lancaster.
IPM stands for INCLUSIVE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT. Therefore, our focus is on providing top quality management services for both our tenants and landlords, supported by our comprehensive utility, maintenance, cleaning and insurance package.
All our customers benefit from the same service agreement regardless of the property, number of tenants or cost of charged rent*. This inclusive package of benefits includes:
- Water (paid by our landlords)
- Gas (where applicable)
- Electricity
- Wi-Fi (fibre where available)
- TV with TV license included
- All beds are 4ft or 4ft 6 doubles
- All properties contain a washing machine that’s free to use
- Most have a bath, as well as a shower
- Responsive day to day repairs
- Reliable out of hours emergency assistance
- Gas Central Heating cover (where applicable)
- Assisted cleaning each term
- Subsidised end of tenancy cleaning
- Tenants’ contents insurance – to include buss pass cover
- Specialist landlord contents and building insurance (where appropriate)
- Professional, experienced and friendly team
- Accreditation and Licensing compliance
- Weekly fire safety checks to include testing fire panels, call points and emergency lighting where required by Lancaster City Council
- Health and safety-based property risk assessments to ensure compliance standards are met throughout each tenancy
- Gas, electric and PAT and EPC certification services
- Market leading tenancy management and contract processing arrangements
- Simple tenancy deposit and guarantor arrangements
- Market leading advertising and letting services for landlords
- Comprehensive tenant assistance when seeking replacement housemates
- ‘How To Rent’ processes and ‘Right to Rent’ checks.
In partnership with Escape Campus, our contractors and suppliers we are confident IPM offer our tenant and landlord customers the most comprehensive tenancy management package in Lancaster.
Do I need to pay a deposit?
Yes. IPM charges a deposit, but we work to keep it as low as possible and whenever possible we aim to return 100% of our tenant’s deposit.
We provide all our tenants with a comprehensive repairs and cleaning service to ensure all our households are appropriately supported when returning their student home to the landlord in the same condition as when moving in.
If something is damaged our tradesmen will always do their utmost to repair the damage. Likewise, if there is a spillage on a carpet or mattress our cleaning team will do their best to remove any potential stains.
Accidents happen. Effectively managing any home relies on the goodwill and understanding of all parties.
Do I need to have a UK guarantor?
Yes. IPM like many letting agents do require that tenants have a UK based guarantor. Having a guarantor means that deposits can be kept low and enable IPM to charge rent each term (after student loans have been paid), as opposed to monthly in advance.
For those students that do not have a UK based guarantor, IPM can work with them individually to agree to an alternative arrangement in agreement with the landlord.
How do I contact IPM customer service?
It’s easy to contact IPM customer service, just send us an email at ‘hello@ipmlancaster.com’ at any time (replies will be within the next working day). Or alternatively you can call us on 01524 928328 (10am to 4pm Monday to Friday).
Out of hours you can email us anytime, but in an emergency please call us on 01524 928328 and you will be redirected to IPM’s out of hours contractor.
How do I report a repair 10 am to 4pm, Monday to Friday?
Reporting a repair could not be easier. Just send over an email to ‘repairs@ipmlancaster.com’ or call us on ‘01524 928328’ and we will arrange for a contractor to visit. All we ask is that you provide the following information:
- Your name
- Your address
- Your contact number
- Details of your repair request – the more information the better
- A photo or short video of the repair request – if possible
How do I report an urgent repair outside of office hours?
IPM provides a comprehensive emergency out of hours repairs service, for example a faulty front door lock, call us on 01524 928328 and you will be redirected to IPM’s out of hours emergency contractor.
If you need to report a gas central heating boiler fault, such as no heating or hot water, you should call BHE on 01204 450450 and an engineer will be sent within 24 hours.
If you smell gas, you should call Gas Safe on 08004085500 immediately!!
Can I leave my belongings over the summer?
Yes. If you have renewed your tenancy agreement and you are staying in the same property for the following year, then you are OK to leave belongings tidy in your room and your pots/pans and tinned food in your cupboard.
Just email ‘hello@ipmlancaster.com’ to let us know you will be leaving your belongings and send a photo for yours and our records of your room and your kitchen cupboard being left clean and tidy with your belongings left.
Please note that any items left during the summer break are stored at your own risk, so you are advised not to leave valuables or personal items that cannot be replaced.
Generally, your belongings are uninsured when your student accommodation is left vacant during the summer.
How do I renew my tenancy agreement?
Current tenants are given priority when it comes to renewing tenancy agreements. IPM writes to our landlords each August making them a rental offer for the next academic year. Assuming our landlords are happy, we then ask each household if they would like to renew their tenancy agreement for another year, or if they wish to move into another IPM property. IPM’s renewal and priority exchange process takes place over a 2-week period towards the end of October.