Servite sign a great deal for students

Servite Houses have signed a multi million pound deal with Middlesex University to take over their student housing.

As part of a complex financial negotiation, all the University’s 1,916 student homes have transferred to Servite’s subsidiary Middlesex First.

Servite have bought two of the university’s Halls of Residence, arranged a long lease on a further three and taken over management of the rest. The properties include the Mock-Tudor Writtle House, a former officers’ mess of Hendon Aerodrome.

This is the largest student housing arrangement Servite Houses has completed so far, following successful deals with Southampton Solent University where they manage 800 homes, and the University of Brighton at Eastbourne where they have 355 homes. Servite are now the second largest social landlord of student housing in the country (according to an independent survey). The deal takes their full range of housing stock in London alone to nearly 8,000 homes.

Dr Terry Butland, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Middlesex University, who has led the negotiations with Servite throughout, said: ‘This is a good day for the University, after long and complex negotiations. The University very much looks forward to continuing its positive working relationship with Servite. Together we will continue to offer Middlesex students high quality accommodation near to our London campuses.’

Chris Baines, Head of Commercial Services for Servite Houses said:  ‘We are really pleased with the relationship that has developed during the negotiations and believe that the partnership with the University will go from strength to strength over the decades to come, directly benefiting the students we are providing services to.’

Ends

Press release issued: April 26 2006