Specialist finance for purpose-built student accommodation£400m+ arranged · Arranger, not a lender
ToolsDevelopment appraisal

PBSA development appraisal and cost per bed

A first-pass appraisal for a PBSA (purpose-built student accommodation) scheme: what it costs per bed, what it earns once let, what it is worth at an exit yield and the margin left for risk.

Your scheme
£m
£k
% of build
% of build
£
%
% of income
%
Profit on cost0%
Cost per bed
Yield on cost
Appraisal summary
Build cost
Fees, contingency and finance
Total development cost
Gross income
Net operating income
GDV at exit yield
Profit

Illustrative calculation only, not an offer of finance or advice. Lenders apply their own tests, pricing and valuations. All lending is subject to status, valuation and lender criteria. Nothing you enter leaves your browser.

How do you work out PBSA cost per bed?

Cost per bed is total development cost divided by the number of beds. It lets a lender compare your scheme with others in the same city regardless of size. Build cost per bed moves with specification, height and room mix: studios cost more per bed than cluster flats because each has its own kitchen and bathroom, and tall buildings carry Building Safety Act costs that low-rise schemes avoid.

How is GDV set on a student scheme?

Gross development value for PBSA is usually the capitalised net operating income: rent per bed per week, times let weeks, times occupancy, less operating costs, divided by an exit yield. The valuer will test the rent against the local market and the yield against recent PBSA transactions. See how PBSA is valued.

LineHow we calculate it
Gross incomeBeds × weekly rent × let weeks × occupancy
Net operating incomeGross income × (1 − operating cost ratio)
GDVNet operating income ÷ exit yield
Profit on cost(GDV − total cost) ÷ total cost
Yield on costNet operating income ÷ total cost

Questions

What operating cost ratio should I use for PBSA?
Operating costs, including management, utilities, maintenance and marketing, commonly absorb a significant share of gross income on PBSA. Use your operator's budget; the ratio varies with scheme size, room mix and whether utilities are included in rent.
Does this include finance costs?
Enter your estimate of finance costs as a percentage of build cost. A lender's appraisal will model interest on the actual drawdown profile.
Written and reviewed by Matt Lenzie, Founder and principal. Last reviewed .

Have a PBSA scheme to fund?

Send the appraisal. We reply with how the lenders active in PBSA are likely to size it.

Discuss your scheme