Case Study, Brunswick House Student Accommodation,

Background

Size: 251 Bedrooms

Location: Cambridge University

Overview: Brunswick House, a luxurious student accommodation facility in Cambridge, offers private studios for independent living. With personal catering space and en-suite bathrooms, it provides a comfortable environment for students. The location is convenient, being a 10-minute walk from Anglia Ruskin University and a 20-minute walk from the University of Cambridge.

Management Transition: In 2022, Derwent FM successfully secured the management contract for Brunswick House. Upon taking over, we conducted a comprehensive review of the existing accommodation and processes to meet client satisfaction and fulfil requirements.

Services

• Student Property Management: Derwent FM provides a full suite of services, including lettings, marketing, day-to-day maintenance, hard and soft facilities maintenance. The onsite team ensures a clean, safe, and comfortable environment for students, allowing them to focus on their studies.
• Facilities Management: Our facilities management services cover a wide range of areas, including planned and reactive maintenance, on-site management, 24-hour helpdesk support, security, cleaning (routine, periodic, and reactive), window cleaning, waste management and recycling, HSQE (health, safety, quality, and environmental) management, laundry service, pest control, hard services (fabric maintenance, mechanical and electrical works, plumbing), and statutory and mandatory services
• Marketing Plan: We emphasise unique selling points such as proximity to campus, modern amenities, and affordability. Our digital marketing strategies target the 18-24 age group, leveraging techniques like social media campaigns and SEO. We collaborate with leading student letting portals, ensuring maximum visibility for properties in our management. We have excellent relationships with international agents to promote properties worldwide.
• Student Bookings: An efficient online booking system streamlines reservations, providing a hassle-free experience for landlords and tenants.

Sustainability on Site

• Solar Panels: Brunswick House benefits from solar panels, enhancing sustainability. After the takeover, Derwent FM implemented a thorough maintenance program for the solar panels and the Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system. This optimisation maximised energy efficiency and cost savings. 

Student Wellbeing

• Programs at Brunswick Halls: Our team on site runs a comprehensive program to support student wellbeing. Initiatives include on-site wellbeing events, social gatherings, charity partnerships, and promoting diversity and inclusion.

Student Crowd Feedback

“I’ve been living in Brunswick house for the past 2 years and it is a great place to live. The building is in a great location, everything is walking distance from uni and city centre. The management of this place is great, if there is an issue it gets resolved quickly. They are also very supportive, understanding of situations and always available for a chat. The student experience here is amazing every day there is a new activity to take part in; for example, free breakfast on Monday, and several competitions that allow the students to win gifts. Overall, I really recommend Brunswick house to other students”