About Red Cow Properties

An independent Exeter landlord

Red Cow Properties is an independent, owner-managed landlord with a portfolio of two-bedroom student houses and flats in Exeter. We own every home on this site and look after them ourselves, from the refurbishments to the day-to-day repairs. We don't let or manage property for anyone else.

We started letting to students after seeing Exeter's student rental market first-hand. There were very few good, well-kept small homes, and even fewer landlords who genuinely cared. Big shared houses suit some people, but plenty of students would rather share with one friend or partner, or want somewhere quieter for a final year or a master's. That's who our homes are for.

With no letting agent in the middle, you deal with us directly. If something breaks, just let us know and we'll arrange the repair, often the same day. Our record response time is three minutes from the first text to us arriving at the house! It's no surprise that many of our tenants choose to stay on for a second or third year.

What every home has

Two bedrooms, no more. Small homes are easier to keep to a high standard, and easier to live in.
A good location. In established student areas, within reach of Streatham Campus, St Luke's Campus, St David's station and the city centre.
A recent refurbishment. Every home has been refurbished in the last two years, with modern kitchens, bathrooms and living spaces. Each one was taken back to brick and rebuilt. We put a lot of love into every renovation, so we take real pride in keeping each home well maintained.
Lower energy bills. We refurbished every home ourselves and put in as much insulation as possible, with the aim of keeping your bills low. Our homes are rated EPC C or better, well above the legal minimum of E.
Up-to-date safety checks. Gas, electrical and fire safety checks are all in place before anyone moves in. We stay on top of every certificate and renew them well before they're due, so you never have to worry.
Room to study. Practical layouts and smart heating. Fast fibre wifi is included in your rent at every property.

How renting with us works

Get in touch
Email us or use the enquiry form and tell us which homes you'd like to see. We'll then come back to you to check the availability.
We will reply within 24 hours
View
We'll arrange viewings at times that suit you. Want to see more than one home? We can drive you between them in our company car.
Usually within a few days, or when suits you
Reserve
Viewed the one for you? Tell us and we'll send the paperwork over for signing. We will stop taking viewings on the property for 3 days while you sign the contract and pay the security deposit.
Contracts are usually sent within 24 hours
Checks
We reference each of our tenants to ensure they are a good fit for the property. We will run Right to Rent checks on you and run affordability and credit checks on your guarantors.
Usually within a few days
Paperwork
Once the checks are complete, we countersign your tenancy agreement, protect your deposit in a government-approved scheme and send you all your move-in documents.
Usually within 3 days
Move in
We meet you at the property, walk through the inventory, show you around the house if it's been a while, read the meters and hand over the keys.
On or after 1 August

Deposit and guarantor

The security deposit is one month's rent and is protected with the Deposit Protection Service (DPS), a government-approved scheme. It's returned in full at the end of the tenancy, provided there are no deductions for damage. We don't charge holding fees or any other fees. Most students don't have a long financial history, so we ask for a UK homeowner guarantor for each student, or at least one per home as a minimum. We reference each guarantor to confirm affordability. International students without a UK guarantor can use Housing Hand, a guarantor service we accept.

Before you move in

We apply to the council for your council tax exemption. We'll need your student numbers; if your student status changes during the tenancy, council tax becomes your responsibility from that date.
We tell you who the current gas and electricity suppliers are and how to set up your accounts.
Where a parking permit is included, we arrange it, usually two to four weeks before you move in.
We're on hand by email all year round, including over the summer, so if you have any questions before you move in, just get in touch and we'll help.

Move-in day

Where we can, we meet you at the property to go through the inventory, take meter readings and hand over the keys. We'll show you where the stopcock, fuse box and meters are, and give you our direct number for questions, repairs and emergencies.

You can also find our homes on