Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) and student housing: research

Annexe 1: Topic Guides for Key Stakeholder Semi-structured Interviews

National

1. What role does the organisation you represent play in student accommodation?

2. How would you characterise the PBSA sector in Scotland and what for you are the major priorities and issues facing it?

3. How does the PBSA sector integrate with the wider student accommodation market and the wider PRS?

4. What do you think is the national picture regarding rental affordability, student choice, demand and supply?

5. What do you think are the key national issues around accommodation quality, services and the cost of provision to students?

6. The Review scoping study identified national issues to do with international students, disabled students, mental health & wellbeing, affordability, widening access, the role of local authorities, and the contractual relations between HE/FE and the providers? Which of these are the most important and why?

7. Regarding the issues we have discussed at national level, are there corresponding local hot spots across the country we should know about and can you identify specific issues locally?

8. Turning to the Scottish Government review, what would you recommend should be its priorities and what do you think are the most likely outcomes for PBSA and student accommodation?

9. How should the sector be regulated and by whom (e.g. Health & Safety; contract exits, nomination agreements, student voice, etc.)?

10. Any other topics (e.g. investment financing, studentification, etc.) you would like to raise? Any points you would raise about the national evidence base for student accommodation and PBSA in particular?

Local case study perspective

1. What role does your organisation play in the wider student market locally and what are the key concerns you would identify for local provision, quality, affordability and other key dimensions of student accommodation?

2. How do you feel student accommodation impacts on the local economy, housing market and the local geography?

3. Who are the key partners in the local area? How well do key local actors work together to understand the student market and to progress solutions and innovations?

4. What is the evidence base for understanding local provision, market imbalances, affordability pressures, etc?

5. How would you rate the quality, range and choices open to students locally? Are their weaker areas of provision and you think the local student accommodation system is responding? How will things change over the next three or so years?

6. Are there specific pinch points and key local issues that need to be addressed? What do you hope will happen?

7. How do you think the SG review might impact on the local student market and what would you like to see change as a result of the review?