Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) and student housing: research findings

The Evidence Review – Main Messages

• The evidence indicates that PBSA has and is continuing to grow at a significant rate, with no indication that current investment is slowing down.
• PBSA is believed to hold several advantages over more traditional forms of student accommodation, such as traditional private renting, and, in theory, is of better quality, is more professionalised, is a solution to tensions created by studentification and aligns with ideas of enhancing the 'student experience'.
• However, not all PBSA is the same and there are indications of varying quality as well as problems with unaffordability, at least for some student groups.
• PRS/HMO accommodation remains the preferred choice for students in some areas. Cushman & Wakefield (2021) annual report estimated that the largest student PRS HMO markets in the UK were in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
• The Scottish Government (2022a) scoping study also highlighted challenges relating to student mental health, adapted accommodation for students with disabilities, inconsistencies in support for estranged or care-experienced students as well as broader issues linked to the fact that student housing is exempt from the Scottish Private Rental Tenancy.
• Further research is needed to explore the nuanced experiences of different groups of students who are likely to be disadvantaged in relation to housing. Remarkably, most evidence has not included the voices and experiences of students themselves. Much existing evidence is based on elite stakeholders, secondary data such as census reports, financial projections and analysis of online PBSA advertisements. This study has sought to rectify this by capturing data from both key stakeholders and students to explore how PBSA is working in practice for these groups.