European University Covid-19 Tracker
The spate of Covid-19 outbreaks among students at the start of the university year may have hit the UK headlines, but how has Covid-19 impacted the start of the new academic cycle across Europe …
The Unite Group – Trading Update and Q3 Fund Valuations
The Unite Group plc, the UK’s leading owner, manager and developer of student accommodation, today announces an update on current trading, dividend and quarterly property valuations for the Unite UK Student Accommodation Fund (‘USAF’) and the London Student Accommodation Joint Venture (‘LSAV’) as at 30 September 2020 …
AXA Investment Managers – Real Assets (“AXA IM – Real Assets”), a global leader in real asset investments and the leading(1) real estate portfolio and asset manager in Europe, announces that it has entered the UK private rented residential market with the acquisition, on behalf of clients, of the iconic Dolphin Square in Pimlico, Central London, from Westbrook Partners. The neo-Georgian designed freehold asset is the largest single private residential complex in the UK, comprising 1,233 units on a 7.5 acre site. The acquisition forms part of AXA IM – Real Assets’ wider strategy of seeking high quality residential assets supported by strong demographic drivers, which it can invest into for the long term, and adds to its c. €20 billion portfolio comprising various residential asset classes across 15 countries …
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 …
Empiric swings to a loss amid Covid-19 income uncertainty
Empiric Student Property swung to a pre-tax loss in the first six months of 2020, with Covid-19 causing uncertainty over future income …
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 …
Curlew Capital hires senior development manager
Real estate asset and fund manager Curlew Capital has hired Andrew Davis as senior development manager.
£41m investment to acquire major build to rent scheme
Clients of Aberdeen Standard Investments have acquired Clarendon Quarter, a 324-unit residential scheme just outside of Leeds city centre, from Habitus Leeds.
The deal marks the UK’s largest stabilised transaction, for institutional grade, purpose-built accommodation and the first in Leeds.
The scheme comprises the former St Michael’s School (The Court) and a new build block (The Gardens), with a BREEAM rating of Very Good …