Mr. Kwame Mensah started as a small-scale property owner with a single rental room near KNUST. Today, just three years later, he manages over 20 student accommodation units and has built a thriving rental business. His success story demonstrates how dedication, smart use of technology, and commitment to quality can lead to remarkable growth in the student housing market. We spoke with Mr. Mensah to learn about his journey and the lessons he has learned along the way.
The Beginning
Mr. Mensah purchased his first property in 2022, converting part of his home into a single rental room for students. Having worked in property management, he understood the potential of the student housing market but started small to test his approach. His first tenant was a medical student who had struggled to find quality, affordable accommodation. The positive experience motivated Mr. Mensah to expand.
Discovering UniRooms
Initially, Mr. Mensah struggled to find tenants, relying on word of mouth and physical advertisements. He improved his results by presenting the room more clearly online: better photos, accurate pricing, prompt replies, and clear viewing expectations. That experience showed how professional listing habits can build trust with students.
The Growth Strategy
Encouraged by his initial success, Mr. Mensah developed a systematic growth plan. He reinvested rental income into purchasing and renovating additional properties. He focused on properties near universities that needed cosmetic improvements rather than major structural work. By keeping acquisition costs manageable and making smart, cost-effective improvements, he could achieve positive cash flow quickly. He expanded from 1 to 5 units in the first year, then to 15 by the end of year two, and currently manages over 20 units.
Keys to Success: Quality and Service
Mr. Mensah attributes his success to two core principles: quality accommodations and excellent service. He ensures all his properties meet high standards of cleanliness, safety, and maintenance. He responds to maintenance requests within 24 hours and has built a reliable network of contractors. He treats his tenants with respect and fairness, which has resulted in excellent reviews on UniRooms and strong word-of-mouth referrals. Many of his tenants recommend his properties to friends and remain for multiple years.
Leveraging UniRooms Features
Mr. Mensah has become an expert at using UniRooms to maximize his business. He invests in premium listings for his best properties during peak rental seasons. He maintains detailed, accurate listings with professional photos. He responds to inquiries quickly, usually within an hour. He uses the platform analytics to understand market trends and price his properties competitively. He actively encourages satisfied tenants to leave reviews, which has built his reputation on the platform.
Challenges and Lessons Learned
The journey has not been without challenges. Mr. Mensah has faced difficult tenants, unexpected maintenance costs, and periods of higher-than-anticipated vacancies. He has learned the importance of thorough tenant screening, building reserve funds for unexpected expenses, maintaining properties proactively rather than reactively, setting clear expectations and boundaries with tenants, and continuously learning about property management and market trends.
Looking Forward
Mr. Mensah plans to continue expanding but at a more measured pace, focusing on quality over quantity. He is exploring opportunities to build purpose-built student accommodation rather than only converting existing properties. He is also mentoring other small property owners who want to enter the student housing market. His advice to aspiring property owners is to start small, reinvest profits strategically, prioritize quality and service, use technology platforms like UniRooms, build systems for efficiency, and be patient as success takes time.
Mr. Mensah's example shows how owners can earn repeat student interest by focusing on clarity, responsiveness, and room quality. A good listing is not only about being online; it is about helping students understand the room before they spend time and money on a viewing.