The ODPM is planning new rules on student housing that will create fresh opportunities for QSs, project managers and building surveyors throughout the UK.

The government is consulting on raising the standards of purpose-built university accommodation for students to bring them into line with exiting regulations on HMOs (houses in multiple occupation).

The move is thought likely to lead to a raft of refurbishment contracts, as existing buildings will need to be tweaked to comply with the new standards, according to charted surveying firm Delva Patman. A senior QS at the firm said: “From a little personal experience of HMO’s, the scope of work to achieve compliance can range from fairly minor fire precaution works to full scale refurbishment.

New building work will also be affected. Ian Perry, RICS housing spokesman, said the initiative will “have a significant impact on construction market”. Though he added that it was uncertain how many private sector landlords would upgrade properties and how many would instead just sell up.

Until now student houses have been classed as private sector properties and university accommodation on and off-site has been the remit of the Department of Education. “We now think that student accommodation run by universities but off-campus should come under HMO rules,” said Gavin McGuire, ODPM spokesman.

HMOs of three storeys or more must have licences, which require buildings to have features such as fire escapes and fire doors and to comply with the Disability Act.

After the consultation closes on 6 October, secondary legislation will be put before parliament to approve the codes for accommodation run by higher education institutions.

Source

QS News