The firm, based next to Teesside University, was recognised as the region’s leading provider of high quality student accommodation for organisations such as Teesside University, Durham University Queen’s Campus and Newcastle University.
Landlords, letting agents and developers were recognised at the second North East Student Housing Awards (NESHA) on Friday June 3rd at a gala dinner at Newcastle’s Assembly Rooms, where 24 winners were announced.
As well as receiving the ‘Teesside Student Landlord of the Year’ and ‘North East Student Landlord of the Year’ accolades, directors of The Student Living Company, Peter Broome and Martin Johnson, were presented with the North East Student Housing Lifetime Achievement Award for the work they have done to improve provision for students in the region.
Peter and Martin, who also run Python Properties in Middlesbrough, have provided high quality accommodation for students since 1997 with over 6000 tenants to date. They launched The Student Living Company in December 2015 to meet a major increase in demand for student accommodation and the company owns and manages all of its properties working closely with local councils and universities to understand specific needs.
The NESHA are the brainchild of New Student Limited which has been providing information and help for students for over 18 years, working with landlords, letting agencies, the region’s five universities, student hall management companies and local authority housing teams throughout the region.
The organisation was founded to highlight the companies delivering good quality student accommodation and tenant services in a rapidly-growing industry.
This year’s awards were judged by a panel of local authority housing experts, student union representatives and industry experts including Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyers, British Property Federation, Guild of Residential Landlords, Residential Landlords Association, Association for Student Residential Accommodation, NUS, million+, KnightFrank and the National Landlords Association.
Peter Broome said: “These awards are a huge honour as there are some outstanding providers across the North East as we are such a thriving student region. We have more student tenants now than ever before and we are passionate about being able to service this community to the very best standards. It is fantastic recognition for the whole team at The Student Living Company.”
Martin Johnson added: “We work really hard to understand exactly what students need in the best locations to suit them, hence we work closely with universities and local councils to ascertain these requirements. This year’s awards received hundreds of entries so we are delighted to have been singled out for three superb honours.”
The Student Living Company has a number of accreditations including UNIPOL Accredited Landlord, Durham University Queen’s Campus Accredited Landlord, member of the National Landlord’s Association, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council Accredited Landlord and a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
In addition, Python Properties works with students across the North to support a range of projects, including art showcases by providing public exhibition space.
The company is well known for installing art galleries in its buildings which are run by its arts arm, Python Arts. There are currently two galleries in Middlesbrough- at Cargo Fleet Offices and also at Royal Middlehaven House- and two more in commercial buildings in the North West.