What Students Expect from Their Accommodations Post-COVID

With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic still taking its toll nationwide, the new school term is bound to be one of the most chaotic in history. As rules and laws change daily and rapidly shifting infection rates mean universities and schools have to change their plans on a moment’s notice, it will be incredibly frustrating for students and student property owners to know just where they stand.

The year ahead is already proving that students have a new idea of what they expect of their accommodation, from size and amenities to availability, what makes good, attractive student housing has changed in the eyes of the class of 2020.

Ben Fielding

In several states, the fall term has already started and chaos is already setting in. Whether its universities who originally planned to operate a hybrid of in-person and remote teaching switching to fully remote or institutions announcing that all dorms would become single occupancy, leaving students to scramble last-minute for housing before the start of the term. Flexibility will be a common word for accommodation providers as the needs of students will likely change a number of times throughout the rest of the year.

Whether this is due to courses ending their in-person teaching, students needing to isolate after being exposed to the virus or students being encouraged to return home until a later date by their universities, the student accommodation market will continue to be volatile throughout the school year.

The problem of Covid-19 in university housing is not unique to any specific property, with outbreaks being reported across the country in dorms, fraternity, and sorority houses and private student accommodation. Therefore, property owners serving students in any way will need to be aware of the challenges faced by students over the coming months due to the pandemic.

Constantly changing instructions and teaching plans – accommodation will need to be flexible

Following stay at home orders to manage the initial outbreak, many students will have reassessed their housing priorities. Larger room and communal spaces will be attractive when anticipating further lockdowns or isolation periods as this allows for a heightened sense of freedom and allows students to live communally without as much threat of transmission. Any way property owners can change their living arrangements to encourage hygiene and social distancing will be effective, such as personal bathroom space and cleaning of communal areas. This could also encourage students to remain living in student accommodation even if their classes are taken online as it protects their safety while living away from home.

With university constantly changing their plans, this could lead to many students choosing to leave their housing contracts early, which could result in lost income for property owners. Allowing students some flexibility could ensure that properties remain filled while also meeting the needs of students. Though student housing is typically seen as a steady, reliable market, the upset caused by Covid-19 could be about to change that. Property owners will need to be able to adapt to ensure they can still profit from their properties while also still serving the students they rent to.

This article was written by Ben Fielding of Property Inspect, professional property inspection software.

For comments, questions or concerns, please contact David Cohen