Differences between coliving and student accommodation

With major cities in the UK getting more crowded and living costs rising, many young people struggle to find comfortable housing within their limited resources, and students struggle to find a purpose-built student housing PBSA because there is often simply not enough of it. For students planetrent.co.uk/blog/space-optimised-amenities-included'>coliving can offer an alternative to student housing, for young people perhaps without flatmates planetrent.co.uk/blog/space-optimised-amenities-included'>coliving offers quality accommodation and is usually cheaper than a flat. This article is for students and postgrads coming to the UK needing housing and wanting to feel safe, secure, and well looked after. So let us compare planetrent.co.uk/blog/space-optimised-amenities-included'>coliving vs student housing types to examine their advantages and disadvantages.

Student accommodation: how is it different to coliving?

Student accommodation is housing specifically designed for students. It only houses students and in some cases will force you to leave at the end of the student term - which could be problematic if you do not have a UK base to return to in the long summer holidays. Student housing as a sector includes university-managed houses, halls of residence, and private halls known as Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSAs).

The main purpose of student accommodation is to provide students with a convenient, safe, and community-oriented living environment. These features have become increasingly important, especially with the reopening of colleges after the COVID-19 pandemic. This has created a positive impact on the real estate and accommodation market. Student housing is usually bills inclusive and is accommodation simplified, whilst many older student halls have now been refurbished to include their shower, some do not. More modern PBSA are often called cluster flats where perhaps six en-suite bedrooms share a communal kitchen. Rooms are mostly designed for single persons only and will come with study space - albeit you may have to fall out of bed into it. Things you can expect to be shared are the laundry room. The lifestyle expects the students to be out at lectures, clubs, the student union, sports, or in the library. Rooms are basic and provide utility not comfort.

planetrent.co.uk/blog/space-optimised-amenities-included'>Coliving: how is it different from student accommodation?

planetrent.co.uk/blog/space-optimised-amenities-included'>Coliving is a modern living arrangement where people share community-oriented spaces housing. planetrent.co.uk/blog/space-optimised-amenities-included'>Coliving spaces are essentially mini-apartments that come with some kitchen space suitable for a single person and are compactly designed with everything built in for convenience. To some planetrent.co.uk/blog/space-optimised-amenities-included'>coliving is a grown-up student living - somewhere to graduate to post-university where you still get an institutional landlord who will respond to repairs in a modern secure environment with community events and lifestyle catered for. The co-living concept, like purpose-built student housing often also includes communal kitchens where you can store your food basket and meet up and cook with friends. planetrent.co.uk/blog/space-optimised-amenities-included'>Coliving goes beyond the standard student spaces as you can usually expect some living space partially separated from the sleeping area and your bathroom, and kitchen space. Laundry may well still be communal and unlike student housing where the student roams a university campus and amenities are widespread, in a planetrent.co.uk/blog/space-optimised-amenities-included'>coliving building the shared spaces and amenities are all within the building. Perhaps cafes and meeting rooms on the ground floor, community dens or Playspace on the lower ground floor, resident lounges high up with city views and coworking'>coworking space, gyms, fitness rooms, and swimming pools too.

The aim of planetrent.co.uk/blog/space-optimised-amenities-included'>coliving is that these shared spaces encourage social interaction among residents and create a feeling of belonging and mutual support. A program of curated events and meet-ups spanning health, wealth, and well-being usually underpins this. Besides promoting community and collaboration, planetrent.co.uk/blog/space-optimised-amenities-included'>coliving also offers affordability and convenience. It helps address the modern world's changing housing needs.

Target audience: coliving vs student accommodation

planetrent.co.uk/blog/space-optimised-amenities-included'>Coliving and student accommodation - key differences

planetrent.co.uk/blog/space-optimised-amenities-included'>Coliving is designed for young working professionals, whether single or married, remote workers, digital nomads, or students. That said, typically you will find many overseas postgrads in co-living. Student accommodations are aimed at college and university students. Usually, most universities guarantee accommodation to first-year undergraduates, but a lack of stock availability can form a challenge after the first year.

Stay duration: planetrent.co.uk/blog/space-optimised-amenities-included'>coliving vs student accommodation

planetrent.co.uk/blog/space-optimised-amenities-included'>Coliving provides flexibility for both short-term and long-term stays. Occupants can stay for any period ranging from one month to many years, based on their needs. In contrast, student housing is usually offered for fixed term times - usually for nine months as the duration of stay aligns with academic schedules, or for the period the student is enrolled for the course. Sometimes there is a choice to stay on over the summer, but often not because many universities re-let rooms to summer school students, visiting foreign language students, and festival concert and event guests.

Services and amenities:  coliving vs student accommodation

planetrent.co.uk/blog/space-optimised-amenities-included'>Coliving strongly emphasises communal areas like shared living spaces and amenities such as gyms, coworking'>coworking spaces, laundry facilities, and kitchens. Some facilities provide additional services like maintenance, housekeeping, and organised social activities. In student housing, the priority is running services catering to student life, such as quiet study areas and closer campus proximity.

Pricing structure: planetrent.co.uk/blog/space-optimised-amenities-included'>coliving vs student accommodation

In planetrent.co.uk/blog/space-optimised-amenities-included'>coliving, rental prices, amenities, and services like Wi-Fi, utilities, maintenance, house insurance, and a fully furnished unit are bundled in one bill. In student accommodation, the pricing structure can vary. While many shared student housing options offer all-inclusive services, some may charge additional fees for amenities like community events, cleaning, and other utility bills.

Social and community features: coliving vs student accommodation

planetrent.co.uk/blog/space-optimised-amenities-included'>Coliving priorities community building among residents and individuals looking for a communal living experience. It promotes networking through events like workshops and communal meals. Student housing also encourages strong bonds but focuses on students from diverse educational backgrounds, promoting academic and social interaction. Living in shared spaces enables students to form study groups and share academic resources easily.

Design and infrastructure: planetrent.co.uk/blog/space-optimised-amenities-included'>coliving vs student accommodation

planetrent.co.uk/blog/space-optimised-amenities-included'>Coliving spaces include open floor plans and modular furniture, with modern appliances, and some limited living space. The design focuses on creating functional shared spaces to encourage social interaction while offering private bedrooms or apartments for residents. Given planetrent.co.uk/blog/space-optimised-amenities-included'>coliving is an emerging sector in housing, buildings are new and boast strong environmental credentials such as BREEAM Outstanding, EPCs grade A, solar PV panels, and grade A or B-rated appliances.

Student accommodations are designed to accommodate academic routines. Bedrooms often include study areas with desks and chairs to facilitate studying and coursework. Some may also offer additional facilities like study rooms, tutoring centers, and computer labs to support educational essentials. The latest residential report (Cushman & Wakefield) analyses the activities of the growing UK co-living sector. London leads in post-graduate student numbers, with 35 percent of renters aged 18-35 earning over 40k and a student-to-bed ratio of 2.5. Boroughs like Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster have high earners. Manchester ranks second with 27 percent of renters and 16 percent annual rental growth. Glasgow and Edinburgh have shown a rise in the number of international students.