Council reveals plan to get students out of HMOs and into PBSA

A Midlands council is on an unusual mission to get more students living in purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) instead of traditional HMOs.

Nottingham councillors have approved a plan that aims to “help balance communities” by promoting purpose-built blocks and giving developers clear guidelines to make sure new student flats meet the changing needs of Nottingham’s student population.

The authority reports that there has been a big rise in students wanting to live in purposely built student flats in the city, over private rented housing in local communities. This has been helped by major investment by several big build-to-rent firms including US giant Greystar, which has build York House (main image).

Nottingham's new planning document focuses on how developers can replicate a shared housing lifestyle, giving students the option to live in purpose-built flats with their friends, by creating cluster flats, which are flats with multiple bedrooms that friends can share.

Cluster

It sets out a requirement that at least 80% of the bedspaces in new student builds should be cluster flats and only 20% being studio flats.

The document also provides guidelines and recommendations to create PBSA that not only meets minimum standards but also enhances the overall student living experience. This includes proposals for minimum room sizes and social spaces.

Councillor Jay Hayes (pictured), portfolio holder for planning, explains that it aims to foster a more inclusive and sustainable student housing market in Nottingham.

He adds: “We are committed to creating environments that enhance the overall student living experience and by providing additional student accommodation, it should allow for more balanced communities to be created within the city.”