December 2024
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This conference examined key issues for the future of student accommodation in the UK.
It brought together policymakers, regulators and stakeholders to discuss priorities for policy, and for the higher education sector, students, housing providers and local authorities.
Key areas for discussion included options for policy and stakeholders in addressing concerns surrounding the supply of student accommodation and rising costs, with The Times highlighting a 230,000 student bed shortage in the UK.
Delegates assessed the potential impact of the recently published Renters’ Rights Bill which aims to offer greater protections to those in rented accommodation, looking at implications for landlords and students, and the supply of privately-rented student housing amid concern that measures in the Bill such as the proposed bans on ‘no fault’ section 21 evictions and fixed term tenancies do not account for the specific nature of student rentals.
Those attending also looked more widely at the student housing market, with latest thinking on implications of increased demand alongside current and emerging market trends in the supply of university-provided accommodation, including halls of residence, and Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA).
The agenda also looked at strategies for mitigating the impact of supply and cost concerns on student experience, as well as the effect on participation in HE and HEI applications.
We expected discussion on progress in implementation of the Student Accommodation Code of Practice, and the potential effect of planning system reform outlined in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill on provision of student accommodation moving forward.
Overall, issues for discussion on the current student housing model and priorities moving forward included:
- supply:
- strategic options for meeting the demand for both privately and HEI-supplied accommodation - reducing the gap between supply and demand - the supply and provision of PBSA
- addressing the impact of HEI financial pressures on accommodation supply and affordability - options for construction and operation cost reduction - delivering value for money
- standards and best practice:
- progress and impact of the Student Accommodation Code of Practice - university uptake - remaining priorities for improving student housing quality and standards
- broadening choice - alternative accommodation provision and options - House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) opportunities
- policy: potential impact of proposals in the Renters’ Rights Bill on off-campus, multi-occupancy, privately-rented home supply - implications for the student housing market - regulatory priorities going forward
- student finances: cost of living issues for students related to housing - impact on student access to accommodation away from home and decisions to progress into HE - value for money
- student experience: meeting the needs of different student groups, including international students and those with disabilities - priorities for improving student satisfaction and wellbeing
- collaboration: strengthening government, local authority, HEI and private sector partnerships - improving system efficiency to deliver sustainable accommodation solutions
- housing market: ways in which the demand for student housing is impacting the wider housing market - the way forward for utilising local housing data
All delegates were able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. As well as key stakeholders, those that attended include parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Lords and officials from MHCLG; DHSC; Department for the Economy, NI; the Welsh Government; and The Scottish Government.
