Appeal of the PBSA sector holds up
Property Week and Student Roost brought together a panel of industry experts to discuss the challenges facing the purpose-built student accommodation sector and the opportunities that have opened up this year …
Why real estate investors are turning to multifamily
Across the globe, residential properties are increasingly on the radar of investors.
Real estate investors are increasingly hunting for multifamily real estate, a sign of the broader pivot toward defensive strategies amid ongoing economic uncertainty.
Investment in all real estate sectors fell 44 percent in the third quarter of the year, compared to the same period in 2019, according to JLL. However, multifamily has fared better than most other sectors, with investment falling, but by 27 percent …
Student survey: 93% intend to stay at university
93% of students intend to stay on at university, despite Covid-19 challenges
New research reveals that although 2020 has seen significant challenges, students in the UK have adjusted well and intend to continue their university courses in January 2021
· Four in five students (81%) agree that although it is not how they expected their first year at university to be, they value their time there
· Almost three quarters of students say they’ve transitioned well to life at university this year (72%) with university peers, parents and universities themselves offering the most valued support
· The results overwhelmingly show that students are happy with the choices they’ve made: not to defer (81%) and to move away from home (82%) despite coronavirus
· However, challenges remain: 54% would still like to receive more support from their university
Why PBSA will still be an A* investment
Since late-teens received their A-Level results, the mainstream media has been focusing on their algorithm-produced grades.
Investors in the purpose-built student accommodation sector (PBSA), however, will nervously await the figures for the number of students our universities will welcome to their campuses this autumn.
The narrative is that, in the face of continuous travel restrictions, uncertainty over future lockdowns and the prospect of a year of online-only lectures, the PBSA sector faces dwindling tenant numbers, thus declining rental income and returns on investment.
While recent musings about the fate of the sector would have you believe PBSA has slipped to the bottom of the class, this is far from the case. PBSA is and will remain an A* investment …
How the transition to university looks for this year’s cohort
With all of the challenges thrown at us this year, and the ongoing uncertainty Covid-19 is causing, there’s been a focus on how the transition to university will look for the first years joining us in 2020.
The impact of Covid-19 on universities is well documented and substantial. Understanding the ripple effect this has on student accommodation is something that is key for not only universities in the operation of their own halls, but for Unite Students and other accommodation providers nationally. Accommodation has the potential to be a challenging environment, and we understand the need to mitigating the spread of the virus. It is imperative that the right policies and procedures, managed by the right people, are in place. It is also vital we recognise our frontline teams for the amazing work they are doing to combat the spread of the virus. Whether this be through cleaning regime changes. Installing screens and ensuring a good stock of sanitiser, or the way they manage emergencies in the most severe of scenarios …
University acceptances up and student accommodation bookings in line with expectations
New survey data on bookings for purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) points to strong leasing activity.
One of the big question marks for universities and student accommodation providers over the last few months has surrounded what will happen to domestic and international student numbers for the coming year. Both have been grappling with trying to understand the potential impact a significant drop in undergraduates could have on future income when the new academic year starts in September.
A-level results day has provided us with a much clearer picture as to where we stand. And the initial figures paint a fairly positive picture. Admissions body UCAS says a total of 415,600 students have a confirmed place on an undergraduate course in the UK, which represents a 1.6% increase compared with the same point last year …
UK student housing update following A-level results day
An update on the demand outlook for the UK student housing sector following the release of this year’s A-level result for students in England and Wales. The new academic year presents a chance for the student housing sector to resume following the disruption caused by the pandemic in March.
The latest set of A-level results are expected to trigger an active period for the UK student accommodation sector as students race to secure tenancies for the upcoming academic year. The sharp increase in applications between January and June has led to a 2% increase in UK applicants this year, while participation rates are at their highest level on record amongst UK 18-year olds. This goes against the underlying demographic decrease amongst this age group in recent years and defies predictions of the impact of COVID-19.
As of 30th June 2020, UCAS data showed that over two thirds of applicants had still not confirmed their final offers, a 10% increase in unconfirmed places compared to 2019/20. However, the first clearing data shows that UK acceptances are up by 2.9%, while non-EU acceptances are up by 2.0%. Although EU acceptances have fallen by 15.2%, overall acceptances on A-level results day are up by 1.9% year on year …
Sinn Féin proposes legislation to ban co-living developments
Sinn Féin has brought forward legislation to ban the practice of allowing “co-living” arrangements.
The party’s housing spokesman Eoin Ó Broin said changes in the planning laws introduced by former minister for housing Eoghan Murphy in 2018 had allowed developers build co-living forms of housing.
“It is not a solution to the crisis in terms of he availability of affordable accommodation for young people in our cities,” he said …
Call for a new approach on the affordability, regulation and cost of student accommodation
The Higher Education Policy Institute has published a new report on the burgeoning student accommodation sector.
Student Accommodation: The Facts (HEPI Analytical Paper 2) by Sarah Jones and Martin Blakey shows 1.2 million students rent their housing, split between university-provided accommodation (28%), private purpose-built student accommodation (27%) and shared student houses (45%).
The report explains:
- how student accommodation has changed since previous generations of students were at university;
- how current regulations add cost without stopping the most pressing challenges; and
- how to make accommodation more responsive to the needs of students …
The Home Charter – fostering a safe and secure environment amid Covid-19 (Unite)
For years, Unite has been welcoming thousands of students through our doors. For many it’s often the first time they’ve ventured into the world of independent and shared living.
Living with a group of strangers is something most students will never have done before, and in the light of Covid-19 the uncertainties and concerns about shared living are likely to be magnified.
With this in mind, it felt like the right time to formalise the guidance we usually give on an informal basis, and an opportunity to confirm our own commitment of support. This led to the introduction of the Home Charter, a set of principles and expected behaviours which add up to a culture of supportive community …