Services and Facilities
Facilities and their impact across MHI5, NPS and Wellbeing_NPS based on use and accessibility
Access to Facilities
We see that majority of students have access to essential services such as laundry. Most students have access to outdoor areas, which the survey finds is key to a positive mental health. Study areas, gym, communal areas, and community kitchen also key spaces that over 50% of students hace access to.
Community Lounge / Games Area
Facilities and their impact on MHI-5
Facilities with the biggest impact are gym, community areas, and outdoor spaces. A positive to note is that these also happen to be areas which majority of the survey respondents have access too. Premium facilities like swimming pool show a very positive impact.
Facilities and their impact on NPS
Students are most likely to recommend their accommodation when they have access to premium facilities such swimming pool, cinema, restaurant and cafe. However, not having access to these does not negatively impact to a large extend. Importantly and in line with what was noted regarding the MHI5 impact, lack of access to study areas, gym, communal and outdoor spaces, and essential facilities such as laundry rooms has a strong negative impact on how likely students are to recommend their accommodation.
Facilities and their impact on wellbeing_NPS
The most positive impact of facilities on student wellbeing again are the premium services. More importantly, one must note that non-users of areas recognised with strongest MHI5 and NPS impact previously (gym, outdoor and communal spaces, study areas) show an equally strong negative wellbeing_NPS, thus once again reiterating the importance of including these spaces in accommodation as a must.
Services and their impact across MHI5, NPS and Wellbeing_NPS based on use and accessibility
Access to Services
Organised Community Events
On-Site Community Manager
Students lead Community Groups
Repairs and Building Manager
Cleaning of Shared Spaces
A vast majority of students have access to essential services such cleaning of shared spaces, WiFi-support, on-site reception and building repairs. Interestingly, security staff is less common even though many students in their testimonials (especially women) note this as a key need from their accommodation.
Services and their impact on MHI-5
Services that create a sense of community and belonging, such as organised community events, student-led community groups and on-site community manager have the highest impact on mental health. Cleaning facilities of both private and communal areas show a positive correlation to student happiness, thus highlighting the need for well-maintained spaces.
Services and their impact on NPS
Students are very likely to recommend their accommodation when they have access to career support//guidance and mental health support (which also happens to one of the least offered services). Community events, manager, and student-led groups have a strong positive impact of NPS. In other words, students are more likely to recommend their accommodation when they have a sense of community where they live.
Services and their impact on wellbeing_NPS
Services that have the most positive impact on student wellbeing are career support and mental health services. Over the three years of SLM research, these two services have consistently been the most crucial in impacting student happiness. At the same time, these services also remain the hardest to access. There is a big opportunity of the sector to incorporate at least the most impactful aspects to optimise the living experience of their residents.
Once again services to do with community aspect ,as we saw in the above NPS and MHI5 sections, play an essential role in contributing to student happiness. In essence, what we see that students who feel they belong and are part of a community are the happiest. Providing these activities and encouraging engagement are key tools in promoting wellbeing and enhancing living experience residents.
Lack of access to most essential services such Wi-FI, clean spaces unsurprisingly have a negative impact on student wellbeing.
What is included in your rent?:
We asked the survey respondents what is included in their rent and correlated the answers with their MHI5 scores. The graph below shows services and facilities with greatest differential for user vs non-user.
Further, we also cross-referenced NPS with “sometimes” and “often” usage of facilities and services
Our findings yet again reconfirm what was noted above, i.e., access/knowing where to find mental health support and career guidance, access to common spaces (outdoor, communal, and study areas) along with community-driven services have the biggest positive impact on student experience.
Social is best
Students who often take part in community events and activities have better mental health scores (62.3); 6 points higher when compared to those who choose not to take part (56.5).
Note: the percentage does not add to 100 as those who responded “Not applicable/no access” have been omitted. 
WHAT DO STUDENTS SAY 
Importance of services and facilities:
My building offers all facilities needed for me to carry on my daily activities, to socialize with other tenants & have fun and also replies to any of my enquiries really fast so all the issues that I encounter are solved. Female, international, Netherlands, impact of accommodation on wellbeing score 10*
Having a place where I can go out, interact with people, use the restaurant, cafe and other facilities helps me manage my study, stress and social life in a feasible way. Female, international, Finland, impact of accommodation on wellbeing score 8*
Quiet room I can study/work in. Access to the gym. Male, domestic, Poland, impact of accommodation on wellbeing score 7*
This is irritating, bad studio space design [...] there are no community events or a study space or a gym or any form of sale in transportation. Female, domestic, Greece, impact of accommodation on wellbeing score 4*
I am often alone, I don't know anyone in the residence and there is no common area to meet new people. Female, Domestic, France, impact of accommodation on wellbeing score 3*
*Respondents were asked to rate the impact of their living environment on their mental well-being, from a scale 0 to 10, where "0" represents a "very negative impact" and "10" represents a "very positive impact."