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After 90 years of decline caused by economic and social factors, the deregulation and fiscal changes in 1988 brought about a structural change in the private rented sector. The emergence of a true open market, altered investment criteria and demographic and lifestyle changes have led to the creation of a multi‐billion pound investment market. Investors, managers and valuers have had to develop new skills and attitudes to adapt to these changed circumstances.

Despite opposition from housebuilders, the Nationally Described Space Standard (NDSS) was introduced in 2015 amid concerns about shrinking home sizes. This paper examines Planning Appeal cases to examine how the standard has been enforced.

This paper considers how the NDSS has informed the regulation of housing size, based on an overview of post-2015 Planning Appeal Decisions in England where the gross internal area of the home was below the NDSS.

Appeals by developers have tended to fail where homes are “significantly” – i.e. 10% or more – below the NDSS. However, in some instances – especially where local authorities have not adopted the NDSS – the Planning Inspectorate rules considerably smaller homes “adequate”. These discrepancies appear related to (subjective) judgements about who might occupy the space, alongside consideration of layout, light and fenestration.

This paper is the first exploration of how the NDSS has been enforced, highlighting important contradictions in the adjudication of space standards. Many of these contradictions emerge because the NDSS is discretionary rather than mandatory, with the paper suggesting the need for clearer guidance on their application.

The residential private rented sector (PRS) has the potential to make a significant contribution to the housing needs of the future. The PRS benefited from regulatory changes in the late 1980s that removed fetters to rent levels and tenancy length. The historic under‐investment is being re‐evaluated and the PRS is beginning to emerge as a viable corporate and institutional investment vehicle. The strategic assembly of portfolios, which may be highly specialised or more general, can be identified from published demographic forecasts. Finance for new‐build, refurbishment and bulk acquisition can be sourced from specialist residential investment funds. The overall effect of these measures is beginning to make the PRS a reinvigorated investment opportunity with long‐term potential.

Moving forward the debate on links between housing and health is a formidable task. Government willingness to address the connections is only the beginning. Much hard work, of thinking, persuading and organising, lies ahead, and the paper offers a list of suggestions for how to go about it.

This paper describes a multistrategy knowledge‐based framework for supporting human experts in assessing applications for the house renovation grant system (HRGS). This framework integrates different problem solving strategies as set up by the task analysis. The task analysis carried out in the context of the HRGS domain decomposed the overall task into a number of subtasks and problem solving methods for performing each subtask. The framework modularises the knowledge required to solve each subtask into historical cases, objects, procedures and domain models. The framework was implemented as a computer system using Kappa‐PC which is a shell designed for implementing knowledge‐based systems. The implementation followed the client centred approach (CCA) method. This computer application has been successful in demonstrating that a multistrategy knowledge base can be used to support human experts in assessing applications for the HRGS. Therefore, the application has proved to perform as accurately as human experts do for all of the subtasks set up by the task analysis.

The purpose of this paper is to examine empirically the effects of selective licensing on an area of social depravation. The paper consciously focuses solely on the views and perspectives of the residents as opposed to that of the landlord or housing professional.

The paper is based on a series of structured qualitative interviews with a statistically significant percentage of residents in the given area.

The selective licence has had some limited but positive effects on the well‐being of the residents. Standards of property management and perceptions of anti‐social behaviour had also improved to a degree. It was clear, however, that many residents could not distinguish the selective licensing process from more generic local authority intervention. Many residents reported an increase in their “self‐esteem” due to the interventions of the local authority, however labelled.

The paper provides original data on the attitudes and perspectives of residents in an area of selective licensing. This is an area of current interest that has yet to receive sustained attention. Whilst centred on legislation in England and Wales its findings and discussion are relevant in other jurisdictions facing similar issues.

The purpose of this paper is to consider how a South East project approached systems change to improve unsupported temporary accommodation (UTA) and the changes made for people experiencing multiple disadvantage (“multiple and complex needs”). This paper also covers some matters that are hard to change or uncertain, such as housing shortages and financial constraints. The paper focuses on a case study of the East Sussex Temporary Accommodation Action Group (TAAG) – a multi-agency action group.

A qualitative case study involving a thematic analysis of seven semi-structured interviews, with a review of published literature and internal documentation.

This example of setting up a TAAG shows us the value of having a dedicated forum to look at a part of the system that requires changing and to identify what works well. Creating a collaborative and democratic space with a common purpose brings different stakeholders and perspectives together and opens discussions to new ways of working. Equalising partners creates an opportunity to create change from the bottom-up within a system traditionally governed by statutory bodies. This study found that the TAAG has facilitated learning around trauma-informed practice and nurtured more sustainable changes towards a Standards Charter and women-only safe UTA.

This is one of the first qualitative case studies of a local systems change approach to improving UTA for people experiencing multiple disadvantage in East Sussex.

The UK “buy to let” property market is significant with over 1,024,300 “buy to let” mortgages outstanding between 1996 and 2007. This paper investigates whether the factors that encourage male and female individuals to invest in the “buy to let” property market are similar or different.

The research is conducted through a quantitative study which examines whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages for landlords investing in the “buy to let” housing market and if these issues are perceived to be the same by male and female landlords. Through a literature review the research author critically evaluates books, papers and legislation to establish the current background information which exists on the “buy to let” market. The primary research contained within this paper is conducted through a survey questionnaire distributed to 100 landlords attending private sector landlord forums.

This paper recognises that overall male and female landlords have differing approaches to their investment decisions within the “buy to let” sector.

This paper establishes new learning relating to gender expectations regarding “buy to let” investments.

Recent years have witnessed significant increases in the number of undergraduate students entering UK higher education. This increase is a result of the removal of the sector-wide cap on student numbers in England and Wales, along with a growth in overseas students attracted by the reputation of UK universities and the weakening of the value of Sterling. Adopting a corporate real estate perspective, the aim of this paper is to understand how the UK student residence market is structured and financed, and to identify the motivations that are driving the strategies adopted by the universities, private sector providers and investors in this market. In doing so, this research seeks to test the appropriateness of the Gibler and Lindholm (2012) model of corporate real estate strategy in the UK higher education sector.

Data was gathered from a survey of UK university secretaries, combined with interviews of private sector providers, bank lenders and the analysis of secondary data on investment flows into purpose built residential accommodation (PBSA).

UK university real estate strategy is mainly one of outsourcing student accommodation to reduce costs as well as employing modern purpose-built student housing as a marketing tool and brand enhancer. This strategy is also used as a risk mitigatory tool enabling universities to adjust to changing student demands. Revisions to the Gibler and Lindholm (2012) model are proposed to reflect the reality of the real estate strategy adopted by the universities. Private sector providers view the sector favourably and are set to be the main providers of new supply over the next decade, entering into strong partnerships with the universities. While there is evidence of some oversupply of bed spaces in certain cities, well-located developments are viewed as an attractive lending opportunity. Since 2013 there has been significant growth in institutional investment into UK student accommodation, albeit sentiment is currently tempered by political uncertainty.

The role of PBSA designed to meet modern student requirements is playing a critical role not only in attracting, recruiting and retaining students but also enhancing the overall higher education experience promoting student welfare and well-being.

The corporate real estate strategy adopted by the UK higher education sector is an under researched area. This paper focuses on the strategy surrounding student accommodation provision and reports on the findings of an extensive survey of the key players in this sector. The results are of value to all stakeholders including government and regulators, at a time when higher education is facing substantial challenges. The evidence of a growing partnership between universities and the private sector is viewed as a logical solution, both for the present and the foreseeable future.