Business Details
34 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Award-Winning Student Accommodation in Sheffield
At SDP Student Homes, we have dedicated over three decades to transforming student living in Sheffield. Established in 1992 by Symon Donovan, a former Sheffield College student, our mission has always been to elevate the standard of student accommodation. Our portfolio of more than 60 properties combines traditional houses and renovated historical buildings, including former industrial sites and army barracks, each offering unique living experiences. As a family-run business, we prioritise the same quality standards we would expect for our own children, ensuring every property is fully furnished, well-equipped, and located within walking distance of Sheffield Hallam University and the city centre. Our team, including Business Manager Oliver and Maintenance Manager Chris, provides hands-on support with a personal touch, backed by 24/7 emergency services. Recognised as a two-time SNUG Landlord of the Year by Sheffield City Council, we combine local expertise with innovative property development. Our inclusive rent packages cover utilities and broadband, while our transparent processes ensure tenants can focus on their studies without hidden costs. With a dedicated repairs system and a network of trusted local tradespeople, we maintain the highest safety and service standards across all properties. Our commitment to excellence has earned us multiple awards, including outstanding customer service recognition, all nominated by our tenants. Whether you're seeking a modern apartment or a shared house, we offer tailored solutions for students and young professionals alike.
Services
Student Accommodation
Property Management
Maintenance Services
Viewing Arrangements
Deposit Protection
Bills-Inclusive Rentals
Emergency Support
Online Booking
Tenant Support
Property Development
Served areas
- Sheffield
Details
- Year established: 1992
Highlights and features
- 30 years of experience in Sheffield student housing
- Two-time SNUG Landlord of the Year award winner
- Family-run business with tenant-focused approach
- Bills-inclusive rents for budget control
- 24/7 emergency maintenance service
Associations and certifications
- Sheffield City Council
- Deposit Protection Service (DPS)
What people say
Award-winning service
Modern facilities
Responsive staff
Bills-inclusive options
Central locations
Services
Student Accommodation
We offer fully furnished student homes in central Sheffield locations, including traditional houses and renovated historical buildings. Properties range from 1 to 8 bedrooms, with inclusive rent packages covering utilities and broadband. Our developments like Hawk Works and Cutler's Yard provide modern living spaces with communal areas and security features.
Property Management
Our comprehensive management includes regular maintenance, safety inspections, and HMO licensing compliance. We handle repairs through dedicated manager Chris and a trusted trades network, ensuring properties meet safety standards with carbon monoxide detectors, smoke alarms, and fire risk assessments.
Maintenance Services
Emergency maintenance support operates around the clock with immediate response to critical issues. Tenants receive an emergency contact number during check-in, while routine repairs are handled through our dedicated email system, ensuring prompt resolution by experienced maintenance teams.
Viewing Arrangements
Flexible viewings are conducted by directors Oliver or Niamh, with options to visit multiple properties in one appointment. Current tenants are notified in advance, and photography is permitted with prior consent. Virtual options available during refurbishment periods.
Deposit Protection
All deposits are registered with The Deposit Protection Service (DPS) custodial scheme. Tenants receive account creation instructions upon deposit payment, enabling straightforward claims at tenancy end following property inspection and deduction transparency.
People
Symon Donovan
Founder & Director
Founded SDP Student Homes in 1992 after identifying student housing needs in Sheffield. With over 30 years in property development, he specialises in transforming historical buildings into modern student accommodations while maintaining family-focused quality standards.
Oliver
Business Manager
Awarded special recognition for exceptional tenant support, Oliver manages day-to-day operations and viewings. With student experience himself, he ensures service delivery aligns with tenant needs while coordinating maintenance and customer service teams.
Chris
Maintenance Manager
Overseeing property upkeep for more than a decade, Chris manages repairs and safety compliance. His local knowledge and trades network ensure rapid response to maintenance requests while maintaining building safety certifications.
Questions
How do I book a property viewing?
Complete the contact form on any property page to schedule viewings. Multiple property visits can be arranged during a single appointment by submitting forms for each desired location.
What does the tenancy period include?
Standard tenancies run from 3rd July to 30th June, with occasional adjustments for properties undergoing summer refurbishments, communicated during viewings.
Are utilities included in the rent?
Most properties offer inclusive rents covering utilities and fibre broadband, with specific details provided for each listing to ensure transparent budgeting.
What safety measures are implemented?
Properties feature carbon monoxide detectors, mains-linked smoke alarms, emergency lighting, and regular safety inspections. Larger buildings undergo fire risk assessments and HMO licensing checks.
How are maintenance requests handled?
Report repairs via dedicated email for prioritised response. Emergency issues receive immediate attention through our 24/7 contact system, with routine matters resolved by our maintenance team and contractors.
Can non-students rent properties?
We accept young professionals, though non-students must pay council tax directly. Single non-student tenants in shared properties receive a 25% council tax discount.
Reviews (20)
Hollie Taylor
Sep 09, 2022
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Stayed with them for a year and absolutely couldn't have asked for a better landlord and team during my year staying. Kind and caring landlord and really lovely first time experience of living in a house! Would definitely recommend if you're looking to move into a house with your friends as they are really helpful with sorting out the best place for you.
Daria Krolak
Sep 09, 2022
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We have stayed with SDP for 2 years because of how great they are. They are quick to sort out any maintenance, lost parcels or any other issues. Oliver is the nicest person to talk to and he always has your best interest at heart. Would recommend to anyone and we wish we could have stayed for longer.
Casey-Jo Kenny
Sep 09, 2022
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Lovely landlords! Super accommodating and happy to help! We wanted extra storage when we moved in and they got us some for each room no hassle. Super friendly people, the prices are good too and the building is really nice. No issues :
Katie Helme
Sep 09, 2022
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SDP student homes are great, they are very helpful and super friendly. They also have give a great service for students. This is my second year with them and I highly recommend them.
Kiera Owen
Sep 09, 2022
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SDP has been an amazing student landlord for the past two years I've lived in one of their properties, they have been so friendly and helpful whenever I have needed them!
Niall Rowson
Sep 09, 2022
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I only have positive things to say about SDP, very friendly, professional and always happy to help. Recommend them very highly
Sid Bendall
Sep 09, 2022
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Loved living with SDP, the staff in the office are so friendly and nothing was ever too much trouble for them. When we arrived at the apartment we were surprised to see how clean it was (previous houses with other landlords have been dirty when we got there). Overall very nice properties and lovely landlords to live with!
Vladilen Pulev
Sep 09, 2022
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Everyone at the agency is very friendly and helpful. They offer good value for money and all of them are very understanding. Definitely would find accommodation with them again if it comes to it!
Sophie Davis
Sep 09, 2022
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They are so lovely and friendly. Whenever we have an issue, it gets fixed very quickly. Oliver is super friendly and will go above and beyond for you. Recently they decorated the house with lovely pictures and furnishings. Thank youuu
Ben Webb
Sep 09, 2022
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Staff are very helpful and friendly, they seem willing to help you out as much as possible, and they have a dedicated maintenance service which is really good in something should go wrong. Also SDP own all their properties so their admin fees are pretty much the lowest (50, other letting agents wanted at least 100), and the deposits are very low too.(again at least 150 less than other agents like Fitproperty, dove, igloo etc) Office is really nice and stuff don't hurry you like I've experienced with some of the larger agents, they also have branded SDP freebies. Houses are well maintained and furnished, and seem to be very good value, our agent even bought us a few crates of beer as a signing bonus. Will update if there's any issues but so far so good.
Georgia Teixeira
Sep 09, 2022
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Had the best experience ever at Cutler's Yard this year! Absolutely beautiful flat and nothing was ever too much hassle for the team. They were so helpful from start to finish. 100% recommend Oliver and the team - best letting agents I've ever been with!
Melissa Clarke
Sep 09, 2022
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Amazing friendly staff, me and my partner absolutely loved our time at cutlers yard, supported by the staff aswell during our payments and finance would recommend 100%
Christian Turner
Sep 09, 2022
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I stayed with SDP for the 2nd and 3rd year of uni and have a wealth of good things to say about them. The SDP team make the daunting task of renting your first place of accommodation ( for most people anyway) as easy as possible! They are unapologetically welcoming when you come into the store or when conversing over email and respond to queries very fast! In short they are a completely reasonable set of landlords, who are easy to correspond with and I would recommend anyone
Oliver Simpkin
Sep 09, 2022
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Couldn't recommend them highly enough; really helpful and willing to go the extra mile to ensure that tenants are properly catered for. The maintenance team are reliable and quick. We've only lived in a SDP property for about 5 months so far and have already decided to sign on for a second year.
Annalise Ellis
Sep 09, 2022
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Not only do we live in a luxury & beautiful apartment our lovely landlord & all the rest of the team in the office have been very kind in donating 20 towards my brave the shave in order to raise money for Macmillan! Thank you for being so kind and amazing! 100% recommend SDP! Thank you again
Oana Ciobanasu
Sep 09, 2022
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I was looking to arrange a viewing and I contacted them on Facebook. Oliver answered really fast and had all the information I needed. He was available for questions even in the weekend and was very accompanying in terms of viewing times. The property I was looking at was let before I could see it but the customer service was great so I would definitely contact them again in the future! 5 stars Oana Ciobanasu I was looking to arrange a viewing and I contacted them on Facebook. Oliver answered really fast and had all the information I needed.
He was available for questions even in the weekend and was very accompanying in terms of viewing times. The property I was looking at was let before I could see it but the customer service was great so I would definitely contact them again in the future!
He was available for questions even in the weekend and was very accompanying in terms of viewing times. The property I was looking at was let before I could see it but the customer service was great so I would definitely contact them again in the future!
Abbi Elizabeth Hordon
Sep 09, 2022
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Symon Donovan Properties are the perfect landlords for students, their properties are lovely and well kept and they will do anything possible to please and help their tenants. There are literally no faults I could think of with having them as my landlord and I would definitely recommend them to any student in the Sheffield area.
Domin Mahely
Sep 09, 2022
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I decided to stay with them thanks to reading many reviews. I'm helping others, you guys, to choose according to your preferences. I was an exchange student in Sheffield for 4 months. It's difficult to get a contract for only 4 months. After a while, Oliver helped me to let the room to other student and therefore I did not have to pay anything extra. I lived 10mins from uni(that's the best i guess), the location couldn't be any better with that price. All bills included,
Tom Cookson
Sep 09, 2022
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Signed with SDP for the next two years. Excellent and friendly staff who are always on hand to help with any issues, couldn't ask for anything more! Would strongly recommend looking at properties with them if you're looking for a house or flat in after your time in halls. 5 stars Tom Cookson Signed with SDP for the next two years. Excellent and friendly staff who are always on hand to help with any issues, couldn't ask for anything more! Would strongly recommend looking at properties with them if you're looking for a house or flat in after your time in halls.
Adam Butler
Sep 09, 2022
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We've just signed on for another year with SDP with no hesitation at all! The team in the office have been fantastic with us ever since we first enquired about properties. Since moving in the communication between the office and ourselves is really impressive. The company really are fantastic, and I'd recommend them to anyone!