Collegiate UK revolutionises PBSA booking with new payment solution
Collegiate UK has become the first provider of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) to revolutionise the student booking experience with a new payment solution.
This innovative service simplifies the process for students, particularly those without a UK-based guarantor, to secure accommodation.
The initiative addresses significant barriers faced by international and guarantor-less students, who often struggle to book PBSA accommodation without relying on costly private guarantor services or paying rent upfront.
Transforming the student experience
Delivered in partnership with Howden Insurance (formerly Endsleigh) and Your Guarantor, this groundbreaking payment solution highlights a shared commitment to enhancing accessibility to student accommodation while providing tailored support for the education sector.
Students booking with Collegiate UK now benefit from an automated guarantor service that allows payment in four instalments or in full upfront. This flexibility alleviates financial pressure for students while enabling PBSA operators to confirm bookings instantly without requiring a personal guarantor.
Neil Burton, Managing Director at Collegiate UK, underscored the service’s impact:
“As the first PBSA provider to adopt this innovative service, Collegiate UK demonstrates its commitment to improving the resident experience from the outset. Students booking with Collegiate UK now enjoy a seamless, automated booking journey, ensuring their accommodation needs are met without unnecessary hurdles, while also helping to reduce our administrative time and costs.”
Benefits for students and PBSA operators
The new service represents a win-win solution for both students and PBSA providers. For students, it offers greater financial ease and a streamlined booking process. Meanwhile, PBSA operators gain several advantages, including:
- Enhanced Occupancy Rates: Faster and more flexible booking processes attract a broader range of residents.
- Guaranteed Rent Recovery: The automated guarantor system ensures unpaid rent is recoverable, offering peace of mind for operators.
- Administrative Efficiency: Streamlined processes reduce reliance on multiple guarantors and minimize administrative overhead.
Michael Jones, Founder and CEO of Your Guarantor, emphasized the partnership's innovative edge:
“Having delivered a rent guarantor service for over a decade, we understand the challenges students and PBSA providers face. Partnering with Howden has allowed us to introduce an affordable, integrated solution that benefits both groups. Innovation is key in competitive industries, and this service offers a clear advantage.”
A milestone in student accommodation
The collaboration between Howden and Your Guarantor is rooted in extensive research conducted by Howden in 2022, which identified key obstacles faced by international students and those without guarantors.
This market-first proposition not only addresses these issues but also strengthens Collegiate UK's reputation as a leader in PBSA innovation.
David Johnson, Senior Product and Proposition Manager within Howden’s education division, praised Collegiate UK’s forward-thinking approach:
“The Howden and Your Guarantor partnership was formed to improve the accommodation booking experience for students and drive efficiencies for PBSA operators. Since launching in 2024, Collegiate UK has led the way in adopting this service and it extends our longstanding partnership with Collegiate UK.”
If you are interested in letting your property to students, accommodationforstudents.com is the no.1 student accommodation service in the UK.
