Student Accommodation Facilities Management

Specialist Maintenance for Student Accommodation & PBSA

Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) requires a unique facilities management strategy that balances high-density residential needs with institutional asset protection. NSS Group provides a “Total Lifecycle” approach to student living, ensuring buildings remain safe, compliant, and aesthetically premium throughout the academic year.

Managing student halls isn’t just about building upkeep; it’s about protecting the student experience and investor yields. From high-rise glazing in city-centre blocks to expansive campus villages, our teams deliver specialist services that respect the “home” environment while hitting rigorous safety benchmarks.

The “Turnaround” Strategy: Maximum Impact, Minimum Window

The PBSA sector operates on a rigid calendar. The Summer Turnaround—the brief window between tenancies—is the most critical period for intensive maintenance. NSS deploys scaled, multi-disciplinary teams to execute heavy-duty works at pace.

• The 3-Week Blitz: Rapid-response deep cleans, facade washing, and glazing repairs delivered simultaneously to meet move-in deadlines.

• Pre-Term Drainage Clearance: Data-led gutter and siphonic drainage cleaning to prevent flooding during the high-rainfall autumn term.

• Aesthetic Restoration: Cladding cleaning and pressure washing of social courtyards to ensure “Open Day” readiness and brand consistency.

Prioritising Student Wellbeing and Safety

Working in a residential environment requires a different level of sensitivity. Unlike a standard office, student accommodation is a 24/7 living space. NSS operates with a “Resident-First” protocol to minimise the footprint of our presence.

• DBS-Vetted Personnel: All NSS operatives working within or near residential blocks undergo enhanced DBS checks, ensuring total safeguarding compliance.

• Low-Acoustic Scheduling: We coordinate noisy high-level works (such as jet washing or mechanical repairs) around exam periods and late-morning starts to respect student sleep and study patterns.

• Non-Invasive Access: Utilising advanced Rope Access (Abseiling) and specialised MEWPs to reach high-level windows and roofs without the need for intrusive scaffolding that blocks natural light and views.

Compliance and Risk Mitigation in High-Density Living

In high-rise student blocks, compliance is a matter of life safety. NSS provides the technical testing and inspections required to keep your building legal and your residents protected.

• Fall Protection & Mansafe Testing: Annual certification of roof-top safety systems, ensuring your own maintenance teams and external contractors can work at height safely.

• Fire Safety & Facade Integrity: Specialist inspections of external cladding and fire-escape glazing to identify risks before they become liabilities.

• Leak Prevention & Asset Protection: Proactive PPM for siphonic drainage systems. In high-density blocks, a single blocked gutter can cause internal water ingress affecting dozens of student rooms; we prevent the failure before it happens.

Core Services for the Student Living Sector

NSS Group integrates three core pillars; Cleaning, Maintenance, and Testing into a single, data-transparent service for PBSA providers.

• Window & Facade Cleaning: Reach-and-wash systems for mid-rise and abseil teams for iconic high-rise towers.

• Gutter & Siphonic Maintenance: Campus-wide contracts to ensure roof-level water management is 100% operational.

• Internal High-Level Upkeep: Specialist cleaning for double-height atriums, on-site gyms, and communal study hubs.

• Lightning Protection & Earthing: Essential safety testing to protect sensitive electronics and building infrastructure from surge damage.