Private Student Accommodation

That the Parliament welcomes the Scottish Government’s commitment during the stage 3 debate on the Non-Domestic Rates (Scotland) Bill to explore the issues surrounding the privately-owned, purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) sector in Scotland; notes what it considers the massive growth in privately-owned PBSA in the student housing market and in Scotland’s communities, including in the Lothian region; understands that PBSA buildings with more than 30 beds and with planning permission to operate as student accommodation are exempt from the Private Housing (Tenancies) Scotland Act 2016, and that PBSA renters can have fewer rights as tenants; considers there is a lack of a central strategy for the supply of PBSA and student housing in the context of the needs of the communities in which they are located; believes that student accommodation should complement national policy objectives, such as widening access and improving maintenance support; understands that the average PBSA rent in Scotland is approximately two-thirds of the maximum amount of student support available to students in higher education, and exceeds the maximum amount available to students in further education, and notes the view that a review should be progressed to ensure that the sector provides affordability and accessibility, and caters for the wellbeing of Scotland’s students.