UK Universities Turn to Summer Rentals Amid Financial Struggles

Posted by Lavanda on 4th March 2025 -

New Freedom of Information (FOI) data reveals that UK universities have generated nearly £100 million from renting out student accommodation as short stays across the summer period over the past three years. With 72% of institutions predicted to be in deficit this year, summer rentals have become an increasingly important revenue stream.

A recent article in The i highlights how universities such as University College London (£14.9m), Brunel University (£10.1m), and the University of Nottingham (£9.5m) are unlocking major revenue streams from otherwise vacant accommodation assets by offering them as short-term lets via platforms like Booking.com and Expedia. Some universities have seen this additional rental revenue double in just two years, as financial pressures force them to explore new ways of generating income.

Not all institutions, however, are capitalising on these low-hanging opportunities. While some universities have embraced short stays as a strategic tool, others continue to let thousands of rooms sit empty over the summer—a missed opportunity in an era of tightening budgets and rising costs.

Click here to read the full article in The i.

What’s Next? Exclusive White Paper & Webinar

Lavanda will soon be publishing a white paper, “Making the Grade: How UK Universities are Activating Student Accommodation During the Summer Holidays”, which will provide a rich analysis of the underlying data and insights collected. This will include:

          • The growth of short term rentals across the UK university sector.

          • The universities leading the way in summer rental revenue.

          • The financial impact of short stays on university budgets.

          • The untapped potential for other institutions to adopt similar strategies.

We’ll be discussing these findings in an exclusive webinar, featuring:

          • Fred Lerche-Lerchenborg, CEO of Lavanda.

          • Mo Ali, Business Development Director at Homes for Students.

          • A representative from a leading university.

The panel will share insights on the financial pressures facing universities, how short-term rentals can bridge funding gaps, and what PBSA operators can learn from this shift.

All registrants to the webinar will be sent a copy of the whitepaper immediately following the webinar.

Register now to gain access to the white paper and join the discussion. Click here to sign up