Coventry University accommodation opens doors to non-students

A university accommodation block in Coventry has been granted permission to rent rooms to non-students during term time.

Trinity View, a purpose-built student accommodation on Friars Road, has struggled with occupancy since its opening in 2019.

According to a letter submitted on behalf of the private applicant, student demand has plummeted in recent years, leaving parts of the building empty. This trend is not isolated to Trinity View, with other student blocks in the city reportedly facing similar challenges.

The council’s decision to allow non-student rentals during term time is set to run until 2027, with the situation being closely monitored by local authorities.

Under the new arrangement, non-students will be permitted to stay at the block for a maximum of 90 days, a measure intended to support the local tourism industry.

Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic had resulted in far fewer international students coming to the UK for their studies, according to the letter.

Moreover, the city appears to be grappling with an “oversupply of purpose-built student accommodation.” This surplus of housing options has further exacerbated the occupancy issues faced by providers like Trinity View.

The extent of the problem is evident in the occupancy figures provided. Trinity View saw its occupancy rate drop from 92% in the 2021-22 academic year to just 74% in the following year.

The block has only managed to recover some ground this year through the use of short-term lets, a strategy that will now be expanded under the new council permission.

This is not the first time Trinity View has sought alternative uses for its rooms. In 2022, the city council agreed to allow the building to rent to non-students outside of term time. However, the continued decline in student demand has necessitated this more extensive measure.

The situation at Trinity View is indicative of a broader trend in Coventry. The applicant’s letter pointed out that other student blocks in the city are facing similar challenges, citing a recent change-of-use application for 33 Parkside as evidence of the widespread nature of the issue.

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