We look at some of the ways the team at our luxury purpose-built student property residences have made our buildings safe for tenants in 2020.
A challenge unlike any other in modern times.
The global pandemic has impacted on our daily lives in many ways, forcing us to adapt to new restrictions and safety measures.
And that’s exactly what the residence teams at Vita Student have done in recent months. With over 20 developments across the UK – home to some 6,000 students – making developments safe places for all residents to live during these unprecedented times has been the brand’s number one priority.
Here are just some of the ways Vita Student – the number one UK student property brand – has evolved its service offering in 2020:
New Health and Safety Protocols Developed by Experts
Vita Student’s new health and safety measures have been directed by Chief Welfare Officer Pauline MacDonald.
With over 35 years’ experience in the healthcare industry, including roles within the UK Health Service and Ministry of Defence, Pauline’s knowledge and expertise has been invaluable to Vita Student in recent months.
At all of the brand’s residences across the UK, there is now the most comprehensive health charter that comprises the highest standards of hygiene and safety. This is Vita Student’s commitment to the safety of all its residents.
New ‘House Rules’ for Day-to-Day Safety
All residences now adhere to a set of ‘house rules’, clearly signposted throughout each development, to make everyday movement around the building as safe and stress-free as possible:
- Observe All Signage
- Residents observe and follow all safety announcements posted within the building to ensure a clean and healthy environment is maintained for the benefit of all
- Observe Your Own Personal Hygiene
- With sanitiser points throughout all communal areas, residents are encouraged to clean their hands regularly, as well as using sanitising wipes to clean all shared facilities and amenities
- Keep to the Left
- All residents are asked to keep to the left when moving around the building, helping to maintain safe distances always
- Be Sensible
- Using the Vita Student App, residents book private rooms and adhere to maximum capacity numbers at all times. Only equipment not marked ‘Do Not Use’ is to be used.
Same Industry-Leading Services, Now with Added Safety
An unrivalled service offering is key to making Vita Student one of the most desirable places to live for students in the UK.
And even in these strange times, residents can still enjoy all the great things that come with living at a Vita Student development. They’ve just been adapted for increased safety:
- Contactless check-in
- To avoid large numbers of people gathering at reception on arrival
- Quarantine service for students arriving from overseas
- Including 24/7 support, laundry pick-up and drop-off, and breakfasts delivered to their door for the 14 days they are in quarantine
- Upgraded housekeeping services
- With studios cleaned fortnightly and with added safety measures in place
- Virtual and social-distanced events
- The same amazing resident events Vita Student is renowned now, which can now be enjoyed online or at a social distance
- Essential food and parcel deliveries delivered direct to apartments
- All essential groceries and parcels delivered straight to residents’ doors every day
- Grab and Go breakfast in a bag
- The signature weekday Vita Student breakfast offering for all residents, now served in breakfast bags
- New safety measures for gymnasiums
- All state-of-the-art Vita Student gym equipment has been spaced apart, with all communal workout areas having had increased hygiene measures put in place
- All team members wearing personal protective equipment
- For the safety of all residents and staff members
Mental Health Support at the Touch of a Button
With social interaction reduced in recent months, Vita Student has taken extra steps to ensure the mental wellbeing of all its residents.
Via the Vita Student App, students can get exclusive access to UNIHEADS, an online mental health training platform designed specifically for university students.
Max Bielby, Managing Director of Vita Student
“Across all of our residences, we had to remain open over the summer in a way that few other developments in the industry had to. At Vita Student, when students usually return to their parents’ homes at the end of the academic year, our buildings remained at high capacity due to our international student mix and imposed travel restrictions.”
“Because we offer purpose-built studios – and some of the highest standards of student accommodation in all of our UK cities – our students felt safe enough to stay with us. At a time when many other providers shut down completely over the summer, Vita Student has proven that we can look after our students in even the most challenging of circumstances.
“We have been inundated with gifts, letters and cards from students thanking our team for looking after them at such a crucial time.
“It has underlined how investing in the best in-service facilities and practices for students reaps long-term rewards.”
Invest in the 22nd Project from Vita Student
With student application numbers rising for 2020/21, investing in purpose-built UK student property is one of the strongest long-term investments you can make.
Vita Student is the UK’s leading purpose-built student accommodation brand, with developments at 100% occupancy and strong re-booking levels every year.
To date, Select Property Group has sold £300 million worth of Vita Student property to its global investors.
Click here to find out more about the latest availability in Vita Student Park Place, the brand’s 22nd development. Prices start from £148,000, with 6.5% NET yields assured for three years.
