Monday, 8 September 2025

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Presentation of Unipol's House Hunting Behaviour Research 2025 (Online)

Across May and June 2025, Unipol conducted a national survey of student house hunting behaviour which saw over 30 universities taking part.  This work forms part of Unipol’s wider research, documenting the effects of legislative change through the impending Renters' Rights Bill and evolution in the higher education landscape on the student housing sector. 

We are delighted to offer a FREE webinar that will present the findings from this research at a time sensitive point, just before the Renters' Rights Bill returns to Parliament for its final reading. 

The findings highlight:

  • students’ preferences of housing type and the potential threat to that part of the market
  • the cost of housing and how students are navigating their finances
  • the effect of commuting
  • the call from students for more guidance
  • the need for future collaborative effort to safeguard housing choice and quality

Spaces Available

Agenda

11.00 - 12.00

The Session will be online

Following the presentation of the findings, our panel of sector experts will give their view on the research and focus on the recommendations for the sector.

Details 

The findings will set out implications for Government, for universities, for accommodation providers and for local government that include:

  • Acknowledging that a significant proportion of students want to live in HMOs after the first year but there is a real threat on the horizon.
  • Student HMOs are not being replaced by other forms of student housing
  • There is a risk to housing choice and accessibility to students in England
  • The importance of understanding the local housing market in greater detail, planning for housing need and widening participation 
  • Students are asking for more information, advice and guidance
  • All partners have a role in managing uncertainty that will come from the Renters Rights Bill implementation
  • There is a group of students who are searching for accommodation on their own without a group of peers. PBSA is playing a role for these students.

Affordability and supply are real experiences for many students. It is particularly hard to develop accommodation at prices that many students can afford and returning students in this survey have stated their price sensitivity in no uncertain terms. 

Speakers

Chair

Nicola Brown, Hub Services Director, Unipol Student Homes

Speakers

Sarah Turner-Jones, Report Author, Mirus Consulting

Panellists

Jess Carrier, National Codes Coordinator, Unipol Student Homes 

Robin Walsh, Head of Residential Services, Bournmouth University

Callum MacInnes, Founder, Student Tribe

Simon Thompson, CEO, accommodation for students.com

 

Please note that the Zoom link will be sent to you on Friday 5th September. 

Details

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