An online student accommodation service has launched in Bristol offering to cover up to six months’ worth of unpaid rent to landlords.

Conker, which is backed by university rentals provider Unite Students, is offering tenants a deposit-free lettings service in the Bristol area.

The service, which does not use Rightmove or Zoopla, lists rental properties, vets prospective tenants for landlords and manages maintenance and rent collection in return for a flat fee of £400 plus VAT per room, per 12-month tenancy, all taken out of the monthly rental payments.

It also conducts viewings and compiles inventories.

Conker also says it will cover up to six weeks’ worth of rent for damages to the property.

A spokesman said this was funded by Conker and any payments are recouped from the student or their guarantor. Conker will also manage any disputes over charges.

Neil Hinwood, head of proposition and service design at Conker, said: “Conker takes away some of the pitfalls of being a landlord by covering them with up to half a year’s unpaid rent and helping them to avoid the hefty letting agent fees to find and manage tenants.

“Not only that, it gives landlords access to thousands of students that are trustworthy and in need of housing.

“Conker serves the gap in the market to make student lettings much more convenient and secure for the landlord.

“With the backing of an established company like Unite Students, we feel that people will be able to trust Conker to make their lives easier when letting property to students.”