A survey carried out by the North West-based property company CBS Group revealed that student accommodation is considered one of the strongest investment areas for private sector landlords.

In the poll of existing and intending property investors 43% put students top of their tenant wish list and young affluent professionals only drew in 33% of the poll. They were followed by the family sector (11.5%), then commercial (7.5%), with overseas property (5%) being the lowest investment priority of all.

Of the 72% polled who were existing landlords, 56% owned properties in the student sector and 46% of those thought they provided the highest rental yields compared with 30% who favoured young professionals.

But all is not rosy for students – 25% of landlords complained they were a ‘hassle’ to have as tenants - with 18% citing house damage among the main ‘challenges’ and another 18% complained they had to chase rent payments.