Commentary on investment and future of BTR/PBSA

Willie Roberston, Contracts Manager at HiiLIFE

“If anything, 2025 has highlighted the resilience of the purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) market. Investment has already exceeded £1.6 billion this year, with almost 18,000 new beds expected for the 2025/26 academic cycle. Rising student numbers, particularly from international applications, are keeping demand high and giving investors continued confidence to support the sector. 

“PBSA has also evolved far beyond providing somewhere to stay. Students now expect amenity-rich environments that combine comfort, study support, and a sense of community. Shared spaces such as cinema rooms, gyms, lounges, and high-speed connectivity are increasingly as important as the bedrooms themselves. 

“The build-to-rent (BTR) market has also continued to mature, with more than 130,000 operational units across the UK, double the number from four years ago. Investor appetite remains strong but planning delays, construction costs and supply chain pressures mean developers are increasingly looking for more efficient ways to deliver. 

“Across both the PBSA and BTR sectors, technology is central to solving these challenges. Properties with advanced climate control in bedrooms, integrated AV in shared areas and smart building systems enhance the resident experience while improving operational efficiency. At HiiLIFE we are regularly seeing more developers turn to single-supplier solutions like ours that simplify projects, reduce delays and ensure consistency at scale.”