Unite Looks To Reshape Student Portfolio After £417M First-Half Loss

Barchart·07/28/2026 13:06:13

Student accommodation specialist Unite Group has announced a £417M first-half pre-tax loss as it warned that purpose-built student accommodation is struggling under soaring construction costs. The UK's largest student accommodation provider reported that the loss was driven primarily by a 6.4% fall in the value of its property portfolio, reflecting higher interest rates and softer investment markets rather than weakening occupational demand. Adjusted earnings slipped 2% to £142M, while the company maintained its full-year earnings guidance and said demand at the UK's strongest universities remained resilient despite a more challenging backdrop. A revaluation of Unite’s property estate dealt a £530M hit to its profits, the...