Purpose-built student accommodations are in short supply across the region, but some investors and developers find them very attractive. However, due to the recent dramatic economic changes, companies need to adapt to tougher business conditions and adjust their development pipelines accordingly, says Bálint Botos, Managing Partner of Forestay Group.

The Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) sector is recording an increase in rents across Europe, consolidating a trend that has been observed in recent years. On average, rents increased by 9.7% (970 BPS) in the academic year September 2021–September 2022, with some significant spikes in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), according to research by Bonard. The growth of rents is shaped by the interplay between increased demand and rising inflation and interest rates.

Xior Student Housing has signed a deal with Basecamp Group, European Student Housing Fund I and European Student Housing Fund II to purchase Basecamp's portfolio of private student accommodation for €939 million.

Kamil Kowa, Member of the Board at Savills Poland talked to Property Forum about the rapid development of the Polish private rental sector, its attractiveness for investors and the current state of PBSA industry.

Occupancy levels in purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) have on average reached pre-pandemic figures in many countries, a new study released by market research and advisory specialist Bonard shows.

A rapid growth in student numbers will drive demand for student housing in the next five years across all larger European university hubs – especially major Spanish and Italian cities, Savills forecasts. Also in Poland, prime PBSA occupancy remains high despite the pandemic and provision of student accommodation is expected to grow soon across Polish cities.

The total stock of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) in Prague exceeds 28,400 beds. 91% of these capacities are in the ownership of universities and the remaining 9% is provided by the private sector, according to the latest Savills “Student Housing in Prague” report.

Eagle JVCo, the investment vehicle established in 2019 between Vienna-based Value One and Nuveen Real Estate on behalf of its parent TIAA, has agreed to acquire a portfolio of purpose-built student housing and two development sites in Poland.

The impact of COVID-19 on the purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) sector has been less severe than expected, proving the resilience of the asset class, as shown in Bonard’s annual report.