Homes for Students

Name

Homes for Students

Legal name

Homes for Students Ltd.

Website

https://abouthomesforstudents.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Student Accommodation Management Services

NAICS

Rooming and Boarding Houses, Dormitories, and Workers' Camps (72131)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Off-Campus / University-Affiliated Housing Management (EDAEAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Student Housing Roommate Matching, Assignments & Occupancy Management (BPAJAJAJ), Off-Campus Housing Support & Landlord Relations (EDALACAJ), Student Residence Halls & Dormitory Management (On-/Near-Campus) (EDAIALAB)

Keywords

• Student accommodation management
• PBSA facilities management
• Property management services
• Student housing operations
• Asset management services

Headquarters

HQ city

Harrogate

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Student Accommodation Management Services: Provides integrated management services for purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) including marketing, lettings, facilities management, and asset management. Revenue is generated through management fees from property owners and investors.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Homes for Students is the UK's largest independent student accommodation provider, delivering integrated management and facilities management (FM) services for purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA). The company manages direct let, nominated, fractional and lease properties across the UK and Ireland on behalf of universities, property investors, and asset managers, handling marketing, lettings, turn-key projects, fit-outs, hard and soft FM, asset management, and student welfare/pastoral care as a one-stop shop for student residences.

Product overview

Homes for Students is a platform of student accommodation brands offering management services for on-campus and off-campus student residences across the UK and Ireland. The core offering consists of integrated student accommodation management and facilities management (FM) services provided through multiple sub-brands: Homes for Students (core brand), Prestige Student Living (premium), Essential Student Living (value), Urban Student Life, Universal Student Living, UK Student Houses, and EVO Student. Additional brands include City Living, City Lodgers, HFS Estates, VerveLife (co-living/BTR), Orla Living (European expansion), and One Living. The portfolio operates over 40,000 beds in over 160 properties, spanning direct let, nominated, fractional, and lease arrangements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Prestige Student Living: Premium student accommodation brand offering luxury studio apartments and high-end amenities across UK university cities.
• Essential Student Living
• Urban Student Life
• Universal Student Living
• UK Student Houses
• EVO Student
• VervLife
• Orla Living
• City Living
• City Lodgers
• One Living

Products and services

• Student Accommodation Management (Homes for Students core brand) Integrated student accommodation management and facilities management (FM) service for direct let, nominated, fractional, and lease properties across the UK and Ireland, including marketing, lettings, turn-key projects, fit-outs, hard and soft FM, and student welfare/pastoral care for university students on behalf of universities, investors, and asset managers.
• Prestige Student Living Premium student accommodation brand offering luxury studio apartments and high-end amenities across UK university cities for students seeking a more upscale living experience.
• Essential Student Living Student accommodation brand providing quality housing options with essential amenities at competitive price points for value-conscious students.
• Urban Student Life Student accommodation brand operating properties primarily in mid-size UK cities with convenient access to universities and city centres.
• Universal Student Living Student accommodation brand offering diverse housing options across multiple UK university cities.
• UK Student Houses Student housing brand providing traditional house-share accommodations for students.
• EVO Student Modern student accommodation brand with contemporary facilities and student-focused amenities for purpose-built student living spaces.
• City Living Residential property management brand within the HFS group offering city-based living options.
• City Lodgers Additional brand providing lodging services in urban areas within the HFS group.
• HFS Estates Additional brand focused on property estate management services within the HFS group.
• VervLife (Build-to-Rent and Co-Living) Sister company operating in the build-to-rent and co-living sector, aligning procurement strategies with Homes for Students and sharing operational synergies across the HFS living platforms.
• Orla Living (European Living Platform) European living platform launched in 2025 to expand Homes for Students' operations into continental Europe, providing living solutions across the HFS group's broader platform.
• One Living Additional brand providing living solutions under the Homes for Students group portfolio.

Quantifiable outcome

• IIS overall score of 8.65/10 and student satisfaction score of 8.59/10
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Student MindscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHomes for Students is a corporate partner for Student Minds, the UK's student mental health charity. The company provides teams to raise the profile of Student Minds with young people, provides signposting to mental health support networks, and shares resources on their website. HFS partakes in fundraising events including bake sales, raffles, charity walks and bikeathons, having raised over £22,000 for the charity in 2022.
• The Safe Space AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHomes for Students joined forces with The Safe Space Alliance to launch a diverse, inclusive and accepting environment for members of the LGBTQI+ community in all of their properties. The Safe Space Alliance is an LGBTQI+ led non-profit organization that aims to help people identify, navigate, and create safe spaces for LGBTQI+ communities worldwide.
• Inclusive EmployersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHomes for Students works closely with Inclusive Employers, market leaders in workplace inclusivity, to ensure all team members feel represented and part of the company. They have a three-year diversity and inclusion plan in action.
• Mapletree UK Management LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMapletree UK Management Limited is a key client partner. They work closely with Homes for Students to support thousands of students living in their properties, using data and insights to develop and enhance their offering to students and partner universities across the UK.
• Q Investment PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQ Investment Partners has worked in partnership with HFS for over five years across various cities, delivering year on year success with strong relationships with local universities and positive impact on local communities.
• InvestracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInvestra has worked with HFS for several years across different cities. The teams are described as exceptionally professional with detailed market insights, delivering success each year while adding value to the student experience.
• 90 NorthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner90 North works with HFS providing monthly management reports with market insights and yearly strategy documents. HFS has secured nominations agreements with universities and increased rental income year on year for their assets.
• Apache Capital PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerApache Capital Partners appointed HFS in January 2017. HFS has proved to be a capable manager securing 100% occupancy and addressing all operational matters. They have now been appointed to operate the newest development in Southampton.
• Lothbury Investment Management LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking with HFS since 2015, Lothbury Investment Management highly recommends them as a long-term partner due to their student-first approach and alignment with enhancing the reputation and value of student accommodation properties.
• VGAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVGA appointed HFS to manage Agnes Jones House, a 370-bed scheme in Liverpool in May 2016. HFS has delivered first-class service resulting in full occupancy and high percentage of rebookers.
• Birmingham Properties GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBirmingham Properties Group worked with HFS on new developments. HFS delivered exactly what they promised with 100% occupancy, on-time reports, and high standards.
• Varsity ProjectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVarsity Projects' development of over 3,000 direct-let beds is being supported by HFS, delivering an exceptional level of service to their schemes.
• Imperial College LondoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHomes for Students was appointed to manage Imperial College London's postgraduate only accommodation, GradPad, as the university further invests in upgrading its portfolio of 1,172 beds.
• VervLifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVervLife is a sister company and part of the HFS living platforms, operating in the build-to-rent and co-living sector. The companies align procurement strategies and share operational synergies.
• Orla LivingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrla Living is a recently launched European living platform by Homes for Students, expanding into continental Europe. Group Legal Director Paul Balderson works across HFS, Orla Living, and VervLife.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• CRM Students: UK-based third-party PBSA management company managing assets on behalf of institutional investors. Closest business model comparable to Homes for Students given its asset-light, fee-based approach to operating purpose-built student accommodation.
• Vita Student: Premium UK student accommodation brand offering studio living across university cities. Competes with HFS's Prestige Student Living sub-brand for high-end student demand.
• Fresh Student Living: UK PBSA third-party management specialist operating student residences for institutional clients. Direct competitor to Homes for Students in the asset-light management segment with comparable investor client base.
• Downing Students: UK PBSA developer and operator with properties across multiple university cities. Comparable to Homes for Students in operating PBSA and competing for the same student demand, though with development-led origins.
• Assetplus: UK third-party PBSA management company providing management services for institutional investors. Operates in the same asset-light management segment as Homes for Students with a similar client profile.

Broad incumbents

• IQ Student Accommodation: Major UK PBSA owner-operator with a large directly-managed portfolio across UK university cities. Overlaps with HFS on customer base and operating model but is primarily an owner, not a fee-based third-party manager.
• Greystar: Global leader in student accommodation and rental housing operations. Operates in the UK PBSA market and competes for institutional management mandates, though with much broader geographic and product scope.
• Student Roost: Large UK PBSA operator with properties across multiple university cities. Owner-operator competing for the same student demand pool and institutional capital relationships as Homes for Students.
• Unite Students: UK's largest listed PBSA owner-operator with tens of thousands of beds across major university cities. Broader incumbent — competes with HFS for students and overlaps with institutional clients, but primarily an asset owner rather than a third-party manager.

Others

• Aramark / Sodexo (PBSA & student-living services): Large facilities management and student-living services providers active in UK higher education. Adjacent competitor in the facilities management (FM) layer of HFS's integrated offering rather than in core PBSA operations.

Market position

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/abouthfs

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Homes for Students