Court agreed to consider outsourcing the provision of student residences as the 'preferred option' for future provision.
The move is in the context of a commitment to provide the highest quality accommodation for students and the costs of implementing upgrades and refurbishments required under the recent housing multiple occupancy (HMO) legislation.
The university currently owns 1700 bed spaces of which 600 are in need of refurbishment and 600 require upgrading to comply with HMO rules.
Talks are currently being conducted with Sanctuary Housing Association who have already partnered other institutions including the University of Glasgow in similar schemes. The operation would be managed by a special purpose vehicle involving the housing association and the university, and operating on a not for profit basis.
If the outsourcing option goes ahead, residences staff will transfer to a company jointly managed by the university. There will be no change to terms and conditions.