6 Tips for Stress-Free Student Housing Turns
Student turns present a variety of challenges. Success relies on effective communication, a solid plan, a reliable team, and trustworthy partners. They help get everything done correctly and on time. Here are six can’t-miss student turns tips to help you be successful every turns season.
Managing student housing turns is not for the faint of heart.
Each May, millions of college students move out of student housing, leaving 30 to 60% of those units vacant. These numbers are expected. However, many other factors can make student turns difficult for colleges with student housing and state university operators.
Student housing managers and maintenance teams must meet this challenge. They need to prepare the units for new residents. Their goal is to get 90% pre-leased before the new semester starts. Teams need a solid plan and trusted partners to help them succeed across student apartments and campus housing.
Key Takeaway: A good student housing turnover is important. It involves using the right products and timing. With proper support, every student apartment can be ready for move-in on time.
What’s At Stake
A smooth student turn sets the tone for a positive resident experience. But when delays and mistakes pile up, they create frustrations for both residents and the operations teams. A negative experience increases the chance that those residents will make other living arrangements when their lease is up.
The good news? With the right preparation, communication, and partners, student housing management can be a profitable and rewarding experience.
Here are 6 ways to be successful managing student turns:1) Plan Your Student Housing Turn Early
Student turns are a marathon of preparation for a sprint of execution. Months of careful planning lead up to a few weeks of intense activity. Our proven strategy for success starts with a Student Turns Calendar tailored to your timeline.
- Start planning in January to ensure ample time before moveout.
- Set budgets and deadlines that prepare your team for the fast transition.
- Decide which updates your team will handle in-house and which need outside contractors.
- Review last year’s orders with your supplier and start building this year’s supply list.
Starting earlier builds time into the plan when you need to pivot, manage delays, and deal with surprises. You also give yourself more time to order products, review bids, and schedule inspections for each floor plan and student apartment type.
2) Communicate Often
Proactive communication can be the difference between clarity and chaos. Use different channels like emails, texts, and social media. This way, everyone gets the information they need in their preferred way during the turns process.
- Residents need clear deadlines and instructions for moving in and out.
- On-site team members should understand daily responsibilities and turn-specific tasks.
- Contractors need assignments and timelines well in advance to fit the work into their schedules.
- Suppliers can provide the best options when they get a clear list of products and quantities at least 90 days before delivery.
Some people prefer more communication, some less—but it’s always safer to share too much than too little. Gaps in communication lead to assumptions, confusion, and delays. This is especially true for student move logistics across common areas.
3) Standardize Inspections
Consistent inspections using our standard turns checklist will minimize mistakes and maximize efficiency.
- Inspect units before move-out to catch resident-related issues before they leave.
- After move-out, create a punch list for interior repairs and updates.
- Check hallways, entryways, and common areas for needed repairs.
Whether you use an app, online tools, or paper forms, standardized checklists make it easier to keep important details from slipping through the cracks. If new team members ask what is student housing from an operations lens, inspections are a good way to teach expectations in college apartments and campus apartments.
Student housing teams manage two turns every year. The “big” turn happens in August, but the “mini” turn over winter break is just as important. Planning for the big turn should start as soon as the mini turn is complete.
4) Choose Partners You Can Trust
Student housing turns require a lot of updates and repairs in an extremely tight timeline. Choose contractors and suppliers who know how to hit deadlines and solve problems. Ask yourself:
- Do they have the expertise to move quickly and do the job right?
- Can their team handle the workload—and the inevitable surprises?
- How well do they communicate, especially when timelines shift?
- Are they easy to work with, especially under pressure?
These are important questions for any multifamily partner. They are even more critical in a student housing turn. Any delay could mean units are not ready on time. Vet student housing turn companies carefully and compare each student housing company on logistics, fill rates, and communication.
5) Maximize Success with Technology
The right tools can make student turns far more manageable. Property management and maintenance software help teams stay on track and in sync.
- Procurement software streamlines purchasing, accounting, and efficiency.
- Maintenance apps like AppWork make completing maintenance requests more fun and rewarding.
- Communication apps and social platforms help staff connect quickly in ways residents appreciate.
Use turns as a chance to add or update in-unit technology. Tech trends move quickly, so ask residents what features they value most in student living and dorming environments.
6) Order Supplies Without Surprises
Having the right supplies at the right time is crucial, especially when deadlines are tight. Work with suppliers who communicate early and often. That way, you always know where your products are and if there might be a delay receiving them.
- Order items with longer lead times (furniture, appliances, flooring) well in advance.
- Walk the property with suppliers and contractors to build orders together.
- Stock up on popular, high-volume items (blinds, toilet seats, caulk) several weeks early.
Supplier communication should not be a one-and-done exchange. There should be ongoing communication throughout the entire student turns process. Use student housing solutions that provide unit-level kitting for each floor plan. This applies to college apartments and campus apartments so every student apt is ready on time.
6 Tips for Stress-Free Student Housing Turns
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Plan Your Student Housing Turn Early
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Communicate Often
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Standardize Inspections
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Choose Partners You Can Trust
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Maximize Success with Technology
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Order Supplies Without Surprises
Less Stress… More Success!
The main goal of every student turn is simple: fill each unit with happy students who are excited about their new space. With early planning and clear communication, student housing teams can reduce stress. They can help new residents feel right at home in apartments for college students. Reliable partners and smart supply management keep options open for every housing option in your portfolio.
Choose Chadwell Supply for your next student housing turn—and move through turn season with confidence.
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FAQs
When should I start planning student housing turns?
Start in January to map timelines, budgets, contractor scope, and long-lead items. Review last year’s orders and build this year’s supply list early.
How do I keep turn season communication clear?
Use email, SMS, and social posts. Share move-in/out steps with residents, daily roles with on-site teams, early scopes with contractors, and consolidated product lists with suppliers 90+ days out.
What inspections should be standardized?
Pre-move-out walkthroughs to capture resident issues, post-move-out punch lists for repairs, and checks of hallways, entryways, and common areas using one turns checklist.
Which supplies should I order early?
Order longer-lead items—furniture, appliances, flooring—months in advance. Stock high-volume items like blinds, toilet seats, and caulk several weeks early.
