Student safety new Government priority as record number of university places are confirmed

Student safety new Government priority as record number of university places are confirmed

by Charly United Kingdom
  • One in five students fall victim to crime whilst studying at college or university (NUS)
  • Business Secretary Sajid Javid orders inquiry to ensure universities provide a safe environment for all students
  • Collegiate AC properties offer inclusive security features to enhance residents’ safety

Channel 4’s latest social experiment ‘Hunted’ premiered last week, exploring the power of surveillance in today’s society. With the programme highlighting the increasing importance now placed on this essential technology, for university students about to move into their accommodation for the start of term, the inclusion of such features in their new home may offer just the peace of mind they need.

Statistics released by the National Union of Students (NUS) show that one in five students today fall victim to crime whilst studying at college or university. With more university places confirmed this year than ever before, security necessities including CCTV are high on the priority list for both new and returning students as well as their families.

Collegiate AC, the leading provider of luxury student accommodation in the UK, places the safety of their residents as central to their offering and utilises specific features and the latest technology in order to ensure that this is facilitated.

CEO of Collegiate AC, Heriberto Cuanalo explains,

“When moving into your student accommodation, you want to trust in the security of your possessions as well as your own personal safety. At Collegiate AC, our residents’ safety is our main priority and we provide a selection of additional facilities in order to ensure this. From CCTV and onsite management teams to secure electronic access and a student helpline, our properties provide the necessary security features so that all residents can feel comfortable and relaxed in their new home away from home.”

And student safety is today a hot topic. The subject has been in the spotlight this week with Business Secretary Sajid Javid ordering an inquiry into sexist behaviour at British universities. With UCAS figures showing that 57,000 more women than men are about to start university this term, the significance of all students’ safekeeping has to be addressed and Javid explained that this would be the focus of the inquiry. He announced that the government will “ensure that universities have a plan to stamp out violence against women and provide a safe environment for all their students”.

With the majority of students spending most of their time either on campus or in their accommodation, the new inquiry will highlight the importance of safety precautions in these areas. Cuanalo goes on to further explain how Collegiate AC properties are themselves addressing this,

“For students’ own peace of mind, as well as for the reassurance of their families, contents insurance is provided by Endsleigh as part of the inclusive room rate that is standard in our properties, just another of our safety features. With more and more students attending university, it is important that each individual still feels comfortable and safe in their new environment and we will do all we can to make sure this is the case for all our residents.”

One such Collegiate AC property that offers an array of safety features is St Augustine’s House. Plymouth’s luxury student residence not only boasts CCTV but also features a private bike storage unit so that those with two wheels can rest easy knowing their ride is secure. The property also offers students a 24-hour helpline and the services of an on-site management team.

Knowing who to contact if ever an issue arises can be a comfort to many students throughout the academic year and at many Collegiate AC properties residents have the choice of face-to-face communication or help via the phone. Glasgow’s beautiful Claremont House has a building manager on-site during the day who can help residents with any queries or concerns they may have, as well as an emergency out-of-hours service that provides students with 24 hour support and advice and CCTV in the communal areas.

For more information, visit www.collegiate-ac.com or contact Collegiate AC on 01235 250 140.

New development takes Wembley Park by storm – welcome to Alto Apartments

New development takes Wembley Park by storm – welcome to Alto Apartments

by Charly United Kingdom
  • Alto Apartments officially launched on 10 September 2015
  • Next phase in exciting revitalization of Wembley Park underway
  • Development will eventually provide 5,000 new homes for Londoners

Residents, local dignitaries and journalists gathered together yesterday (10 September) to mark the launch of the newest phase of the considerable Wembley Park revitalisation work being undertaken by London developer Quintain: Alto Apartments.

The striking towers of the one, two and three bedroom apartments, designed by architects Flanagan Lawrence, will set a new benchmark for sophisticated urban living in one of the best-connected areas of London.

An interactive marketing suite and two brand new show apartments opened their doors for the launch, providing those in attendance a glimpse at the fabulous bespoke interior design and high specification appliances that Alto will encapsulate.

Alto Apartments will deliver a further 362 homes to the market, following the 1,000 being built as part of earlier phases (525 of which are already finished and occupied). In total the 83 hectare site will provide 5,000 new homes for Londoners.

Within Alto, the first release of the superb Pienna Apartments was launched on 10 September, as part of the well-attended event. Offering stylish homes set across a private residents’ landscaped courtyard, with 24 hour concierge, fully equipped gym, studio room and spa treatment rooms, the 133 one, two and three bedroom Pienna apartments will be equipped with state of the art Siemens appliances and finished to the highest specifications, with designer kitchens, bespoke bathrooms complete with wall-embedded towel rail warmers and generous living and storage space.

Most apartments have their own private outdoor space or a balcony that looks either onto the residents-only water gardens or across the open spaces of Elvin Square Gardens. The higher floors also have views over the iconic arch of Wembley connected by EE*

Quintain’s COO James Saunders, who was one of those present at the Alto Apartments launch, comments,

“It was wonderful to see such a good turnout at yesterday’s event. The launch of Alto marks a key milestone in the work that we are undertaking to create a fantastic new London community here at Wembley Park. Schemes of this size are incredibly complex and I am delighted that just over a decade into the development, we are on track to present not just 5,000 homes but also a range of cultural and retail activity options as part of a vibrant new community.”

The work has already included the redevelopment of The SSE Arena, Wembley and the provision of the LDO shopping and leisure complex, the Hilton London Wembley and a much-needed 661 bedroom student accommodation scheme.

Prices at the newly launched Pienna Apartments start at £375,000 for a one bedroom home and £495,000 for two bedrooms. Car parking spaces are also available at additional cost.

For more information on the development and latest availability and to book a time to visit the new show apartments and marketing suite, visit www.alto-apartments.com or call the on site Savills Sales team on +44 20 3151 8601.

* Wembley Stadium is the property of The FA Group and run by Wembley National Stadium Limited, a subsidiary of The Football Association.

Home is Where the Heart is: UK student accommodation sector sees rise in cohabiting couples

Home is Where the Heart is: UK student accommodation sector sees rise in cohabiting couples

by Charly United Kingdom
  • 40% of long-distance relationships do not last (IVillage)
  • Growing number of applications for joint student accommodation from couples (Collegiate AC)
  • Eirini and Rizos make Edinburgh’s Gateway Apartments student property their first married home

For those who are already in a relationship, moving away to university can spell make or break time. With thoughts of Freshers’ wild nights, making new friends, the pressures of study, not to mention the hardships that come with sustaining a long-distance relationship, this already difficult time can be made even harder for those with a boyfriend or girlfriend left behind.

Recent research released by IVillage has revealed that 40% of long-distance relationships do not last, and for those that will break up, 4.5 months in is the time that the split is likely to occur. The pressure that comes with making a relationship with a partner who stayed at home work can cause additional stress for new students, make them feel homesick far more readily, and mean that they return more often than they would have done otherwise – all of which can be detrimental to studies and newly formed university friendships.

Whilst the choice has always seemed to be to either break up pre-uni or attempt to navigate the relationship from afar, often unsuccessfully, there is now a third option. Made viable thanks to the evolution in the UK student accommodation market, many couples are bridging the divide that distance can bring by living together whilst one or both parties undertakes their degree.

Collegiate AC, the leading provider of luxury student accommodation in some of the UK’s finest university cities, has certainly noticed this as a growing trend. Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO, explains more,

“In the past year we have seen applications for accommodation from growing numbers of couples, some of whom are both studying and some where one of the partners is and the other is in full-time employment. Our spacious accommodation suits the requirements of couples, allowing them to cohabit successfully, with the space needed to provide a stress-free environment that will be to the benefit, rather than the detriment, of their relationship.

“Feedback we have received from couples who have lived together in Collegiate AC accommodation has also revealed that they find the additional facilities on offer a great bonus too. Luxury lounges, games rooms or a private cinema room ensures that not only can couples enjoy their time together, they can also have their own space and pursue their own interests whilst living together – vital in any healthy relationship!”

Eirini and Rizos, from Edinburgh, are one couple who came to recognise the benefits of being able to live together whilst studying. The pair, originally from Greece, married in the July before they moved to the Scottish city to attend Heriot-Watt University where they were both studying for an MSc Petroleum Engineering, meaning that their first married home together was in fact a student property!

With 3.75 million marriages long-distance in the US alone (according to IVillage), the pair moved together into Gateway Apartments from Collegiate AC, with Eirini explaining how this worked for them as a couple,

“Since we were married it wasn’t an option not to stay together and Gateway Apartments provided us with a really nice and cosy first home together. The gym was really good and easy to use and the large study room that every block had with a big desk proved mandatory for assignments.

“One of the other things that our accommodation provided that ended up being very important for me especially was the fact that everything was inclusive, so I did not had to worry about gas, electricity and internet, for example. I did not have the time to deal with that and therefore that helped to make for a stress-free newly married life, even whilst studying!”

Gateway Apartments, that Eirini and husband Rizos made home for the first year of their married life, offers a range of premier studios and rooms for discerning students in Edinburgh. The winner of the prestigious RICS Scotland Residential Award in 2014, the project presents a cutting-edge, design-led student experience, suitable for both couples and individuals alike.

Set in a peaceful and elegant enclave, within walking distance of all the main colleges and university campuses, Gateway Apartments are well served with a variety of retail outlets creating an almost ‘village’ feel about the area, whilst offering easy access to transport links and central Edinburgh.

The high-specification and beautifully-designed student apartments are equipped with contemporary high-gloss kitchens, individual en-suite facilities, flat-screen TVs, double beds and ample study and storage space. The development also offers a private cinema, gym, common room and reading rooms, high-speed broadband and Wi-Fi, CCTV, an electronic entry system and 24-hour on-call support.

Studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments are available, with prices from £158.50 per week.

For more information, visit www.collegiate-ac.com or contact Collegiate AC on 01235 250 140.

Start your campaign at home – National Fitness Day is headed this way!

Start your campaign at home – National Fitness Day is headed this way!

by Viv United Kingdom
  • 74% of men and 64% of women in UK to be overweight by 2030 (WHO)
  • MPs challenged to ‘Move For Your Seat’ to support the day (ukactive)
  • 80% of homes sold by Surrey estate agency Barton Wyatt have sports facilities

September 9th 2015 is National Fitness Day. This year it promises to be bigger, better and with a bit of luck the “most active day of the year.”

This year ukactive – the leading not-for-profit health body for the physical activity sector – will be working with members, charities, schools, businesses and Members of Parliament alike to help make National Fitness Day the most active day of the year. The day is intended to make people think realistically about their activity levels.

National Fitness Day 2015 hopes to build upon the success of last year, where nearly 2,000 venues across the UK opened their doors to run free ‘Power-Half-Hour’ exercise sessions, reaching a total of 27 million people.

This year, to add to the cause, MPs are being challenged to ‘Move For Your Seat.’  This is the first challenge of its kind, daring MPs to ensure they are meeting the Chief Medical Office’s recommended physical activity levels and leading active, healthy lifestyles.

A recent World Health Organization (WHO) report suggests that 74% of men and 64% of women in the UK will be overweight by 2030. These figures are up from 70% and 59% respectively five years ago.

James Wyatt, Partner of leading Surrey estate agency Barton Wyatt, comments,

“Having just turned 50 myself I am well aware that middle age spread could run amuck unless taken in hand. I have enjoyed a rather extended summer and now back in the UK it’s time to take action. September 9th is in my diary and is the day I kick-start my own activity programme.”

Many homes in Surrey’s Virginia Water have the added bonus of having space for a multi gym. James’ home has exactly that. Kitted out with a treadmill, bike and rowing machine, it should be easy for him to slot in 30 minutes’ exercise three times a week.

Research also shows that if you exercise in company you are more likely to stick at it. A social atmosphere creates a positive environment and importantly helps people to have fun at the same time as getting fit.

This is where the local gym definitely come into their own. The Wentworth Club in Virginia Water is rather special and has enough facilities to spend an entire day. Be it swimming, golf, tennis, squash or exercise classes, there is something for everyone.

Wyatt adds,

“I think I might start my get active campaign with a class called ‘good morning stretch’ and work up to ‘insanity’ over a few weeks. I don’t want to be outdone by my local MP who is probably already in the thick of the Move for your Seat campaign.”

Houses with gyms, tennis courts and swimming pools are abundant in North Surrey.  Barton Wyatt suggests that typically 80% of the homes that they sell have some sporting facilities already in the house or grounds.

For more information on buying a home ready to be active in, contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843 000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.

A selection of homes currently available for keen activity enthusiasts:

Wilton, Wentworth Estate, Virginia Water                   £4,950,000

A magnificent family home built to an exceptional specification and finish, superbly situated on an elevated site at the end of Woodlands Road East, a prestigious and sought after road within the Wentworth Estate. A delightful and tranquil location yet just half a mile from both the picturesque shopping parades of Virginia Water as well as the Wentworth Clubhouse.

A stunning luxury home with seven bedrooms, elegant reception rooms and IDEAL FOR ENTERTAINING ON A GRAND SCALE. The exceptionally spacious accommodation is spread over three floors amounting to just under 9,000 square feet in all to include the triple garage and staff flat over. Superbly situated on high ground at the top of Woodlands Road East, a prestigious and convenient location within the Wentworth Estate.

The Ridge, Wentworth, Surrey                                  £8,750,000

Six bedrooms with en-suite bath/shower rooms, four reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, entertainment room, cinema, staff kitchen/utility room, gymnasium/games room with adjoining shower room, double garage, outdoor swimming pool, gardens of approximately 1.1 acres facing south to the rear.  A stunning Georgian style family home, beautifully presented with high ceilings and large windows. The property is situated in the very heart of the Wentworth Estate backing onto the Executive Course and set in delightfully secluded gardens of approximately 1.5 acres with an outdoor swimming pool.

For more details contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843000 www.bartonwyatt.co.uk

Wellington House, Wentworth                                                                £7,450,000

Entrance hall, Dining area, Drawing room, Study, Kitchen/breakfast/family room, Two cloakrooms, Utility room, Indoor pool complex with shower room and sauna, Six bedroom suites, Triple garage with annexe over, Grounds of approximately one acre, South facing adjoining Cabrera Trust Woodland.

This stunning home is situated in a highly desirable and leafy road on the prestigious Wentworth Estate. The house is tucked away in a discreet position backing onto protected Cabrera Trust Woodland. Virginia Water is a short stroll away with its excellent shops for day to day needs, restaurants and mainline railway station with a fast service of trains to Waterloo in 42 minutes.

For more details contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk

Ooh la la! French property buyers head to NW London as new Lycée International opens in Wembley Park

Ooh la la! French property buyers head to NW London as new Lycée International opens in Wembley Park

by Charly United Kingdom
  • 400,000 strong French population in UK, majority in London (French Embassy)
  • French language now second only to English for Google searches in London
  • New Lycée International de Londres to open on 3rd September 2015 in Wembley Park
  • 500 pupils and their families drawn to a revitalized Wembley Park

Newly released data from Google has served to highlight the growing appeal of London as a home to those from France. Back in 2004, French was the third most commonly used language for Google searches in London, after English and Polish. Now, the 2015 data has shown that French has moved up to take the second place spot, making it the most used language in London after English for Google searches.

Up to 400,000 French live in the UK according to the nation’s Embassy. A huge majority live in the capital, resulting in London often being referred to as France’s ‘sixth biggest city’. Traditional geographical hotspots for French communities have been in the south and west of the city (South Kensington, Clapham and Ealing) but things are set to change with the opening of a new French school in Wembley Park, northwest London.

The Lycée International de Londres – Winston Churchill, just 7 minutes’ walk from Wembley Park station, will open its doors to the first pupils on 3rd September 2015. Wembley Park is extremely well connected with three stations, three tube lines, the overground and two National Rail lines.

With 500 children already enrolled, the Lycée International de Londres – Winston Churchill is set to have a real impact on Wembley Park. As a school for day pupils only, it is drawing not only French families to the area to settle but also the school’s staff.

Quintain, the developer responsible for the significant revitalization of Wembley Park, which will see 5,000 new homes built, has already sold apartments at the stylish, mid-market Emerald Gardens and Alto Apartments to parents of children who will be attending the Lycée.

Teaching and support staff have also secured apartments at Quintain’s existing residential properties, Forum House and Quadrant Court ahead of the start of the 2015/16 academic year through the company’s dedicated onsite lettings team, Wembley Park Residential.

Quintain’s COO James Saunders comments,

“The Lycée International de Londres – Winston Churchill is yet another excellent addition we are excited to see join the community here at Wembley Park. The recently refurbished SSE Arena, Hilton Hotel and new London Designer Outlet have already had a hugely positive impact on the area and now the new Lycée International is serving to offer an excellent education option for London’s growing French population and other internationally minded families.

The new school follows the success of the Lycée Charles de Gaulle in South Kensington, which this year celebrates its centenary, having been founded back in 1915. The Wembley Park school will be London’s second Lycée and is an exciting addition to the capital’s diverse education offering.

Those looking to live in very close proximity to the school for future academic years would do well to consider Quintain’s just launched Pienna Apartments. Part of the Alto Apartments phase of the Wembley Park development, Pienna offers 133 contemporary one, two and three bedroom homes, complete with 24 hour concierge, gym with studio room, spa treatment rooms and private residents’ water courtyard garden. Prices start at £375,000 for a one bedroom apartment and £495,000 for a two bedroom home. The show apartments are available to visit from 10th September 2015.

For further details, visit www.alto-apartments.com or call the Savills Sales team on +44 20 3151 8601.

Virginia Water: the village that seeks a kind of Hush

Virginia Water: the village that seeks a kind of Hush

by Charly United Kingdom

Estate agent Barton Wyatt and Hush Developments create a dream team for your new home.

The salubrious Surrey village of Virginia Water hit the headlines every year:

  • 2013 – First UK town to hit average property price of £1 million (Zoopla)
  • 2014 – Most expensive road outside of London (Lloyds Bank)
  • 2015 – Zoopla property rich list puts Virginia Water as most expensive postcode outside London

James and Rupert Wyatt, brothers and partners of award winning Virginia Water estate agent, Barton Wyatt, are unsurprised to see their delightful village so often in the news. James comments,

“The recipe we have here is unlike many other places in the UK. Quiet leafy lanes with big private, houses, one for one covenants on the land to stop it being broken into multiple plots and the exclusive Wentworth Club. These three features keep our village at the forefront of the minds of the wealthy when looking for a home in the country.”

The covenants that James speaks of have been influential in keeping the area in such shipshape condition. They mean that every time a house is demolished (which it often is) then a single, even greater house appears in its place.  No in filling is allowed on Wentworth’s main island, the most sought after address.

House prices are pushed to their limits on this 1750 acre site, the brainchild of WG Tarrant in (1923) who also designed and built St George’s Hill in Weybridge.

“Houses are fought over for the plots they occupy not for what is currently built on there,” explains James. “It is quite rare that a buyer is looking at the bricks and mortar – they are looking at the plot size and aspect, to the future and what can be created.”

Barton Wyatt, founded 50 years ago, is expert at advising on opportunities and offering advice to buyers on what to look for from a plot on the estate. The brothers have bought, demolished and rebuilt in the village several times and this experience is invaluable to their clients, who are looking to create something unique that has their own stamp on it, rather than build an identikit house available on most high streets.

“Think luxury homes – think a super home,” James says.

When it comes to super homes, Hush Developments is one of the dynamic tailor-made developers available to Barton Wyatt’s clients.  Securing the best development spots, Hush then works with individual clients to design some of the most stylish and sophisticated homes available in the UK today.

Ian Hughes, Managing Director of Hush, comments:

“We know that perfection takes time. A Savile Row tailor can require a couple of months to custom-make a suit, while commissioning a super yacht will mean a wait of three to five years. If you want a super home, you are looking at 18-24 months. You will get a house that is designed to your taste with every detail made to measure for the client.

“Imagine a house where you can stipulate basement parking with an access lift, swimming pools and gymnasiums that will make your eyes water with their size and specification, additional kitchens for staff and entertaining… we have been asked to include everything from art rooms to bowling alleys and extravagant bars.”

Barton Wyatt is used to the demands of this type of clientele.  Super famous, royal or just plain rich, they are all treated with the same highly professional level of service that ensures that the seller gets the best they can for their home and the buyer is getting the most for their money.

When it comes to Virginia Water almost every client’s expectations are seriously high. For a home that is the dream child of Hush Developments look no further than this envy-inducing mansion:

The Mansion by Hush Developments                                                              £30,000,000.00

Design for a contemporary mansion at circa 27000ft.

Ground floor has been designed to include 4 reception rooms, formal and informal dinning, orangery and a palm room.  In addition there will be a grand hall and staircase, a security suite and two lifts.

The first floor is designed to accommodate six bedroom suites, one being a grand master and one a master.

The second floor will include a lounge to the Grand Master bedroom suite, an entertaining suite and a business suite.  A small swimming pool is planned with a terrace and fire pit.

The lower ground floor comprises a 6 car show garage with access via a lift.  Also included is a gymnasium, cinema, wine wall, bowling alley, billiards room and hydra spa. The lower ground floor alone is 6770ft.

Outside the plan includes a large external garage with staff accommodation over,  a security lodge and  gated entrance.

For entertainment:  tennis court, swimming pool, pond and pavilion.  The gardens will include a formal garden, sculpture garden and a secret garden.

Barton Wyatt and Hush Developments are also working in partnership on St Georges Hill in Weybridge where March House can be purchased for £8,950,000

March House is a brand new ‘Super Home’ located on a prime 1.1 acre plot in the world famous St George’s Hill gated estate in Weybridge, Surrey. This truly spectacular property offers 817.28 sqm of stunning accommodation and is of a contemporary Mediterranean style that conveys a sense of peace, calm and tranquillity.

A home designed not just for entertaining but also for the family, March House blends both of these qualities into an intoxicating mix of elegance and style. Wonderful living and bedroom accommodation is provided by three spacious reception rooms, a magnificent kitchen/breakfast/dining area, cinema room and five sumptuous bedroom suites. Key features include a bespoke wine wall to be designed and built by award winning furniture designer Ed Johnson and a spectacular two storey entertaining space of 6 metres high.

With leisure facilities including a heated swimming pool, jacuzzi and gymnasium, as well as a mature landscaped garden with large terrace to the rear finished in Portland stone, March House is a stunning property that truly deserves the title ‘Super Home’.

For more details on either of these super home contact Rupert Wyatt at Barton Wyatt on 01344 843 000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk

Hush Developments can be contacted on info@hushdevs.co.uk.

More than just hamburgers and hangovers: Today’s students make healthier lifestyle choices

More than just hamburgers and hangovers: Today’s students make healthier lifestyle choices

by Charly United Kingdom
  • 79% of students make an effort to eat healthily (2014 Sodexo University Lifestyle Survey)
  • Time spent socialising is beneficial to students (NUS)
  • Additional lifestyle facilities offered by Collegiate AC properties help students keep a balanced lifestyle

Today’s students are viewed through a kaleidoscope of stereotypes with the entire university population often being generalised to fit the typical student cliché. One of the most common images portrayed is that students are reckless young adults who live on a diet of fast food and cheap alcohol. With the latest freshers ready to take their place at university next month, it seems that in reality students now see the importance of a healthier lifestyle and are ready to rebuke the stereotype as just a myth.

The university lifestyle is one that is continually in the spotlight, with terms such as ‘Fresher’s Flu’ becoming increasingly common when highlighting the unhealthy side of student life. However, Sodexo’s 2014 University Lifestyle Survey suggests that a majority of students are conscious of this, with 79% making an effort to eat healthily.

The study goes on to highlight that 74% cook a meal from scratch using only raw ingredients at least once a week, with this figure rising to 83% for students living in private accommodation. A reason for this could be the amenities available to students who rent in private residences, including state of the art kitchen facilities with the space to host a dinner party for fellow students.

Collegiate AC, leading provider of luxury student accommodation in the UK, provides high-tech kitchen appliances to give students the opportunity to cook meals from scratch, with their 333 Bath Street property in Glasgow also benefitting from an exclusive dinner party room to host friends and provide the chance to enjoy good food together.

Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO of Collegiate AC, explains the advantages of having additional facilities available within a student property that enhance a balanced lifestyle,

“Many of our residents have said that the range of additional facilities available in each of our properties enhances their student experience and provides them with the tools they need to lead a healthy lifestyle. Whether it is using the space to experiment in the kitchen, working up a sweat in the gym or letting off steam by exchanging stories in the club lounge, we believe that these aspects are of key importance when managing what is often a stressful time for students.

“This is especially important for today’s freshers, new students who are leaving home for the very first time. Collegiate AC residents can benefit from a Lifestyle Pack which is comprised of products designed to help adjust to student living, including useful kitchen and bathroom utensils. Additional facilities within a property can allow students to create balance in their new university lives, making the transition as easy as possible and setting up for a healthy lifestyle that they will be able to maintain.”

With their strikingly contemporary design, Southampton’s Brunswick Apartments are ideal for today’s modern student lifestyle. The on-site private gym is easily accessible and stocked with the most recent exercise apparatus, available exclusively to residents, offering them the opportunity to use it as often as they would like.

As well as healthy eating and regular exercise, it is important for students to find a balance and allow time for socialising. The National Union of Students advices that socialising is beneficial and can have a positive impact on mental health and overall happiness, however they suggest that it doesn’t always have to involve alcohol, another misconception of student life. The 2014 Sodexo survey highlights that students are listening, with 50% staying in or visiting friend’s accommodation to socialise.

Exeter’s premium student residences, Picture House Apartments, also houses an array of excellent inclusive facilities, including common rooms, an on-site cinema, a private gym and a games room, as well as on-site study and reading rooms. . Whether it’s chatting in the common room or playing pool in the games room, these specifically designated areas are communal spaces in which to see friends and socialise in a relaxed environment.

For more information, visit www.collegiate-ac.com or contact Collegiate AC on 01235 250 140.

What price an education? Majority prepared to pay up to 25% more to live in close proximity to a school

What price an education? Majority prepared to pay up to 25% more to live in close proximity to a school

by Charly United Kingdom
  • 95% of buyers and 81% of renters would pay up to 25% more to live in close proximity to a school (Urban.co.uk)
  • 38% of buyers and 42% of renters would take a lesser property to be within desired catchment area (Urban.co.uk)
  • School catchment area top concern for tenants when choosing rental area (Urban.co.uk)

With the new academic year fast approaching, parents’ minds will be filled with thoughts of uniforms, shopping for stationary and the school run, yet how many will be thinking of moving house?

It is a well established fact that living in close vicinity to a good school can boost house prices but just how much of an effect does being in a certain school catchment area have on house hunters? New data released by the UK’s original online estate agent, Urban.co.uk, reveals some enlightening truths.

Surveying both those looking for property to purchase as well as those looking for a rental home, Urban.co.uk found that an incredible 81% of renters would pay up to 25% more to live in a certain school catchment area. This figure is topped further still by buyers, with 95% of those looking to purchase property rating a school catchment area so highly that they would pay up to a quarter more for the privilege.

The huge draw of living close to a school is further highlighted by the fact that 42% of renters and 38% of buyers would even go as far as to take a lesser property in order to be within their desired catchment area. Whether this is a smaller property, one in a lesser condition or one that perhaps requires more work and in turn a greater amount of money spending on it, this is a prime example of the power of a property near a place of education.

Urban.co.uk also asked those looking to let a property what their key concern would be when choosing a rental location. Interestingly double the number of prospective tenants would put school catchment area (30%) over being in close proximity to a town (15%), with this also ranking significantly higher than the desire to be near to a station (17%).

These results reveal that parents’ needs are widely put on the backburner when compared to those of their children, with people often taking on a far longer commute to be able to ensure that their child has the very best education and shortest journey to school.

With residing close to a school the prominent concern for many, the survey also asked those that were buying a property, whether they would consider renting if they cannot sell their own property. A huge 52% said that they would do so.

Founder of Urban.co.uk, Adam Male, explains why these new findings are significant,

“Quantifying the influence that being in close proximity to a school has on house hunters has been truly eye-opening. The results of the Urban.co.uk survey show that most people would stretch their budget quite considerably, whilst many would also downgrade their property choice, for the sake of a school.

“The results make for particularly interesting reading for those selling a property within a school catchment area. When marketing the property, these findings show that real focus should be given to the location of the property in relation to the nearest school, highlighting the benefits provided as part of the enrolment process and the ease of school run, for example.”

For more information about selling or buying a property online, visit Urban.co.uk or call 0800 6899955.

Behind the scenes of student life: How do they really spend their money?

Behind the scenes of student life: How do they really spend their money?

by Charly United Kingdom
  • Student spending priorities revealed as groceries, eating out and utility bills (Natwest Student Living Index)
  • Collegiate AC accommodation offers inclusive billing and luxury communal facilities to ease budgeting (Collegiate AC)
  • Students spend on average 28 hours a week studying compared with only 12.5 hours socialising (Natwest Student Living Index)

For a student leaving home for the first time, one of the key lessons they will quickly learn is how to budget, with this an often treacherous minefield that can be especially worrying for parents miles away at home, concerned about their son or daughter’s spending habits. In line with this, Natwest, in partnership with an independent research company, have produced the Student Living Index report to unearth the true realities of student expenditure, from what is considered essential spending, to the real financial impact of socialising and the true cost of students’ hobbies and interests.

Based on data from 25 UK universities, the enlightening research reveals that students spend more per week on groceries than anything else, with eating out and utility bills ranking second and third as financial drains.

Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO of the leading provider of luxury student accommodation in the UK, Collegiate AC, explains the importance of budgeting and how a modern student property can benefit,

“A key aspect of planning for university life is understanding your finances and creating a budget by which to stick to on a week to week basis. Every student budget will vary depending on individual circumstances and it is always advisable to create your own to include personal requirements, estimating weekly expenses as you go.

“Whilst an important skill to learn, financial planning when you have left home for the first time can be challenging and this is where modern student accommodation can help. At Collegiate AC, not only are our properties close to university ensuring that money is saved on travel, we also provide extra amenities included in our billing. This can help day-to-day expenses reduce, whilst enhancing the living and studying experience: this is the future of university living.”

Monthly utility bills can fluctuate and allowing for this within a weekly student budget can become difficult, especially when unexpected costs occur. In order to eradicate this monetary concern for residents, Collegiate AC properties have utility bills and unlimited Wi-Fi included in the rental price as standard, meaning that students know where they stand with their finances in advance.

As Cuanalo indicates, alongside inclusive billing, Collegiate AC properties also boast a variety of additional facilities that are available to residents at no additional cost, again assisting with budgeting and in turn reassuring parents and guardians from afar.

With eating out taking second place in student spending, Collegiate AC’s 333 Bath Street in Glasgow benefits from a private dining room that allows residents to throw their very own impressive dinner parties, eliminating the need to eat out so often.

Southampton’s premier student residences, Brunswick Apartments, also boasts an array of excellent inclusive facilities. These range from an on-site cinema to provide the ultimate in home entertainment, to the on-site private gym, exclusive to residents and stocked with the latest exercise equipment to allow students to save on expensive gym memberships. With the Natwest Student Living Index showing that students spend more on gym membership than any other sport or fitness activity, having free access to this facility is a key advantage when calculating a weekly budget.

With the report also highlighting that, contrary to popular belief, the majority of students’ time is spent studying – approximately 28 hours a week compared to just 12.5 hours spent socialising – Collegiate AC understand the importance of effective study areas in their properties. With reading and work rooms available for individual study or in a group, Collegiate AC’s high-specification and beautifully designed Hope Street Apartments, set in the heart of Liverpool, are equipped with seminar and common rooms, ideal for just this purpose.

For more information, visit www.collegiate-ac.com or contact Collegiate AC on 01235 250 140.

Alpaca it all in for a new life on the farm!

Alpaca it all in for a new life on the farm!

by Kate United Kingdom
  • Howard and Tracy Simpson use money saved from selling home online to buy herd of alpacas
  • Original online estate agent Urban.co.uk provides flexible service, far cheaper than ‘traditional’ high street agent
  • Apple Tree Farm Alpacas established, offering alpaca trekking in the South Pennines and Calder Valley

There are many reasons that people use an online estate agent: convenience, efficiency, a DIY attitude, affordability… but to save on estate agent fees in order to buy a herd of alpacas? In the case of one couple from Yorkshire, yes!

Howard Simpson (50) and his wife Tracy (51) from Hebden Bridge had always dreamed of escaping suburbia, with husband Howard having previously worked on a farm and Tracy, as a true ‘animal person’, having always loved the idea of having a smallholding of their very own. Whenever the couple discussed what this would consist of, all they knew was that it had to be “animal-friendly”, insisting that nothing could “go for the chop”.

It was following a visit to St Davids in Pembrokeshire that the couple were inspired to get their very own herd of the typically Peruvian alpacas, falling in love with what they describe as the “big cuddly teddy bears” straight away. Yet the question then arose as to how to make this dream a reality? With somewhat unusual dreams, Howard explains that they wanted to take the non-traditional route to selling their home ahead of buying a farm,

“The cost of selling a large house in the area we live using a high street estate agent was going to be around £6,000 which we felt was a disproportionate cost in relation to what service was offered. We also wanted to have full control over the selling process as a whole to make sure we were indeed maximizing the potential of the property. This is why we chose online estate agent Urban.co.uk to sell our property.”

The original online estate agents, established ten years ago, Urban.co.uk offer a full estate agency service, backed by five star customer service and professionally qualified staff. Properties are advertised via sites such as Rightmove, Zoopla and Primelocation, as with a standard agent, yet with the service being internet-based, it is far cheaper than selling the ‘traditional’ way.

Howard explains how this savvy move meant that their smallholding dream could finally become a reality,

“I was 50 this year and in one of my birthday cards from my brother in law was a cutting out of the Yorkshire Post indicating 16 Alpacas for sale. We drove down to Carmarthen in South Wales and spoke to the owner Paul who was selling his herd. We bought the boys, 8 of them, which for us was ideal, collected them at the end of June and they have settled in great: Hero, Centurion, Praetorian, Hercules, Forester, Falcon, Emissary, and Bertty (Berttram).

“The cost of the Alpacas was £6,000 and that is just about what we saved from paying a ‘normal’ estate agent which we think is a much better way to spend our money!”

Having previously used a high street agent, Howard and Tracy are now converts to the online means of property selling, thoroughly recommending Urban.co.uk. Howard says,

“Using an online agent gives you the flexibility to manage all stages yourself. The whole process was very simple and the customer service people were a great help. You can tailor the service to your own competency level and do as much, or as little, as you want.

“I wanted to be in control and show people around to ensure that all the best aspects were shown and this is exactly what we did. Then, during negotiations, I could refer back to the points which I knew the buyers were interested in, in our case the large garden and large reception rooms.”

Completing the successful sale of their property and settling into their new home at Apple Tree Farm in Hebden Bridge with their alpaca herd, the couple have now established their new business venture – alpaca trekking.

Taking small groups for walks in the stunning countryside of the South Pennines and Calder Valley, Howard, Tracy and the alpacas have the chance to meet new people, share their love for the friendly creatures and enjoy their new beautiful surroundings, none of which would have been possible if it hadn’t been for the money the couple saved selling their property online with Urban.co.uk.

For more information about selling or buying a property online, visit Urban.co.uk or call 0800 6899955. 

For more about Apple Tree Farm Alpacas, visit www.appletreefarmalpacas.com