Company registration number 09840367 (England and Wales)
HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
COMPANY INFORMATION
Directors
Mr M Corbett
Mr G Rogers
Mr A Y K Tang
(Appointed 25 April 2024)
Ms J Y Y Gok
(Appointed 25 April 2024)
Ms C D Ee
(Appointed 25 April 2024)
Company number
09840367
Registered office
Hornbeam House
Hornbeam Park
Harrogate
HG2 8QT
Auditor
MHA
Richard House
9 Winckley Square
Preston
PR1 3HP
HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
CONTENTS
Page
Strategic report
1 - 6
Directors' report
7 - 9
Directors' responsibilities statement
10
Independent auditor's report
11 - 13
Group statement of comprehensive income
14
Group balance sheet
15
Company balance sheet
16
Group statement of changes in equity
17
Company statement of changes in equity
18
Group statement of cash flows
19
Notes to the financial statements
20 - 35
HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 1 -

The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Principal activities

The principal activity of the group of companies is in the UK and Ireland involving the management of Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (“PBSA”), with an element of Co-living and Build to Rent ("BTR") via our subsidiary VervLife. The Services we provide include sales and marketing agency, customer experience, hard and soft facilities management, project management, principal contractor, compliance assurance, internet services, resident engagement, property insurance, and energy procurement and management associated with the properties we manage. The accounts have been prepared for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Review of the Business

Homes for Students is now the leading third-party operator in the student accommodation sector with around 45,000 purpose-built student accommodation (Third party “PBSA”) beds under management for 2024 under our “Homes for Students,” “Prestige Student Living,” “Essential Student Living,” “Urban Student Life,” “Universal Student Living” “EVO Student” brands and 1400 houses in multiple occupation (HMO) beds under management under our “UK Student Houses” brand. Under our VervLife brand we have circa 3,000 operational units.

We managed to increase our financial strength and we are profitable year on year supported by an increase in our bed numbers, as well as the pipeline secured as a result of new developments. Key to success is our ability to invest in the business to maintain our market lead, our retention of staff and our focus on sales, marketing and occupancy as well as compliance and ESG. We have recently been awarded ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 20000-1 (Information Technology Service Management) and ISO 27001 (Information Security Management) and we are preparing for ISO 14001 and ISO 45001.

We are also exploring with our scale what other services we can provide to students and the potential of employing our own health and fitness coaches and wellbeing psychiatrist to extend the student ESG education programme we started a few years ago which has been so successful.

We have also changed shareholders with two of our passive shareholders being replaced by a wholly owned subsidiary of Far East Orchard Limited (FEOR) who now owns 49% of the company.

We have over 15,000 PBSA beds at various stages in the pipeline. We have invested heavily in the capability of our advisory team over the last few years which includes in-house engineering and interior design expertise. As a result, our pipeline of new development schemes has grown substantially.

Risks and uncertainties

Cashflows are positive from operating activities and we have driven the business with scale and leveraged on our supply chain strengths. Our financial strength has also allowed us to invest in diversifying the business further into the residential sector, development advisory and tech offering.

The market has become more competitive, against the backdrop of increased regulation and higher client expectations of having inhouse expertise on the Building Safety Act, Fire Compliance, Data Protection, ESG, IT Security.

While rental growth is expected to start to level out from 2024/25 academic year to be more in line with inflation, energy costs have stabilised. Demand for student accommodation is expected to remain strong with the UK's 18-year-old demographic growth along with the attractiveness of the UK Higher Education sector to students outside of UK.

HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
STRATEGIC REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 2 -
Key performance indicators

The Directors recognise that effective performance management is key to client service. Progress is monitored by review of key financial indicators, including but not limited to:

2024
2023
Homes For Students and Universal Student Living
Gross profit as a % of turnover
18%
20%
EBITDA
£4,492,121
£4,202,936
Net asset value
£8,818,058
£7,028,307
The Board is pleased with the increase in EBITDA and Net Asset Value.
2024
2023
BTR PRS Limited (trading as VervLife)
Gross profit as a % of turnover
46%
68%
EBITDA
£(388,458)
£(225,107)
Net asset value
£(103,966)
£235,036
BTR PRS has continued to invest in its operations, central service teams and systems to support its future order book.
Future developments

The PBSA side of the business has a strong pipeline and continues to expand, and we have had a number of contract renewals. However, we note that the number of new builds has slowed with the increased build costs and cost of borrowing. Our interior project management and engineering team also have a good order book in this increasingly important support area for clients who need support with compliance, ESG and refreshing and enhancing older schemes.

We will continue to provide cashflow support to VervLife albeit it is envisaged VervLife will become financially self-sufficient over the next few years based on their order book.

HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
STRATEGIC REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 3 -

Statement by the Directors in accordance with Section 172(1)(a) to (f) of the Companies Act 2006

 

The likely consequences of any decision in the long term and desirability to maintain a reputation for high standards of business conduct

 

The Board meets quarterly to maintain the reputation for high standards of business conduct which is at the very forefront of its decision making and ongoing and future strategies. To formulate future strategies, the Board works closely with the Executive and Senior Leadership Teams to ensure that operational excellence, values, attitudes and behaviours the company works hard to achieve can be maintained and how all decision-making will impact on all stakeholders.

The Board approves the annual and long-term business objectives and monitors the effectiveness of the management teams in delivering these objectives through regular oversight and measurement. All significant decisions, strategies and deployment of capital are decided by the Board.

The interest of our employees

 

There are many ways in which we utilise the feedback collected from colleagues to shape our business, ensuring that people are at the heart of our decision making. Our ‘Peoples Voice’ colleague forum and cultural diversity programme ‘Together is better’ promote a culture of inclusion by empowering our teams to share new ideas; guided by our company values, ultimately helping to continuously improve HFS as a place to work. Delivered in partnership by our People & Culture Director and Communications Director and their respective teams, our strategy of offering regular pulse surveys, team building events, an intranet platform, an extensive skills programme and colleague engagement initiatives ensures we can respond at pace to meet the needs of our evolving workforce, adapting our language and updating processes regularly.

HFS won ‘the People Award’ at the Northwest LGBTQ+ Business Awards in 2022.  Our Together is Better Programme won Diversity Initiative of the year at the 2023 UK Company Culture Awards and this year our People Team won the silver award for Team of the Year.

HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
STRATEGIC REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 4 -

The need to foster business relationships with our key stakeholders including our customers, University partners and suppliers:

 

Our Customers

 

Our property teams on the ground, with the support of our Marketing department have continued to run a variety of student experience events throughout the year with the aim of nurturing a community within the buildings, adding to the overall university experience for our residents, and helping them enjoy their time living with us, and increasing positive social impact.

We utilise social media daily and our property teams are empowered to manage this locally and provide an authentic and engaging view of life in our buildings. Our award winning KLIQ Resident Experience App continues to be a key tool in interacting and engaging with our student community in line with our strategy, and the feedback we garner from residents via KLIQ has allowed us to continue to bespoke and tailor our student experience and improve our students’ satisfaction and wellbeing.

Our approach to Student Experience is to hold showcase events at key times of the year, and to offer a consistent, daily high level of service and a wider overall offering of events and experience that delight our residents, build community and trust, make residents proud to live with us, and lead to high satisfaction.

Our year-round focus on student experience, student satisfaction, social proof and excellent standards have remained critical aspects, and significant time and energy has been spent on this within the properties to ensure we maintain our excellent track record of retention.

Our continued focus on securing thousands of 5-star Google and StudentCrowd ratings, and achieving Investor in Students Gold Accreditation for a third year, alongside retaining overall Gold Certification from Global Student Living, while significantly increasing individual property certifications, and surveying a huge pool of residents (over 30,000 survey responses received this year) are evidence of our strategy working.

The recent Investor in Students accreditation process has led to a new highest ever Net Promoter Score, of the back of significant gains last year, now with a score of 45.7, an increase of 11 points from last year. This consistent and improving service delivery and satisfaction is a long-term strategy that is paying dividends for the business, backed up further by record levels of student retention rates year on year. This is higher than our competitors.

 

University Partners

 

Our Partnerships Team nurture university relationships, increase partnership working with them, renew nominations and referral arrangements, and seek out new business, and as part of our sector engagement activities each year, work closely with our unrivalled network of contacts built up over many years of collaboration, and lead and support the wider business at a national and localised level.

We attended numerous outreach events, supporting universities’ teams to highlight some of the issues around student wellbeing such as loneliness, sexual consent, budgeting advice, positive nutrition, and volunteering in the local community.

Our rich data analysis and market intelligence supports university teams with information about digital behaviour, student decision making trends, benchmarking against national averages, and student survey performance, and we have continued to expand this insight and add even more value to our university contacts and partners.

We prospected, negotiated, arranged, and contracted formal commercial agreements with a multitude of HE institutions over the course of the year and secured multi-year deals in some key markets.

HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
STRATEGIC REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 5 -

Suppliers

We work with a network of local and national suppliers, across the UK and Ireland. Our Central Procurement team work closely with our property teams to ensure delivery of high-quality service from our supplier network; and where possible, leveraging our scale to ensure standardisation of service across our portfolio. All suppliers must evidence their relevant accreditations, qualifications and/​or membership of regulatory or professional bodies. We have robust governance in fair selection of suppliers.

In January 2024 we implemented Delta e-sourcing; an end-to-end, EU-compliant, web-based platform to manage tenders, suppliers and contracts. The roll out of Delta e-sourcing strengthens our governance and selection process; providing a fully traceable communications audit trail and an enhanced evaluation and selection process.

Our tender process, pro-active ‘supplier call’ campaign, and access to Delta e-sourcing supplier search tool, provides us with the opportunity to identify new suppliers and invite them to potentially join our network.  

Our teams, centrally and property-based, forge strong relationships with suppliers and regularly monitor performance against a robust set of KPIs

 

Our impact on the community and the environment

 

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues and measures are a crucial part of the HFS business process, and with the support we provide to our clients.

They affect the way we operate and behave as a business and they also inform our sustainability engagement agenda, which is the list of issues that we target to influence our internal and external stakeholders for the better within the areas we can control, particularly with shaping and influencing our student population awareness and behaviours around living more sustainably, through our “Go Greener with Homes for Students” campaign theme.

Significant progress has been made to date and work continues to ensure that the informed decisions taken by the Board, Executive Team and the Senior Leadership Team are quickly and effectively implemented, and now including our new “Green Team” which has been established as a cross-functional group of stakeholders across the business working towards common sustainability aims.

HFS has a specific ESG Policy and Measures document addressing requirements and goals for our business which has underpinned by BCorp membership.

The need to act fairly between members of the Company

 

The Board recognises that acting fairly between members is extremely important to ensure strong governance within the business. The Board meetings are attended by majority and minority shareholders and all decision making is made on a open and transparent basis. All members have an opportunity to express their opinions and views to determine the best possible decision making and provide confidence to the wider stakeholder population.

We have highlighted some key decisions demonstrating how the Board has taken Section 172 matters into account in decision making:

 

 

 

HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
STRATEGIC REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 6 -

On behalf of the board

Mr M Corbett
Director
16 October 2024
HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
DIRECTORS' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 7 -

The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Results and dividends

The results for the year are set out on page 14.

Ordinary dividends were paid amounting to £1,000,000. The directors do not recommend payment of a further dividend.

Directors

The directors who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:

Mr M Corbett
Mr A T S Parry
(Resigned 25 April 2024)
Mr G Rogers
Mrs E Corbett
(Resigned 25 April 2024)
Mr G D Bamberger
(Resigned 25 April 2024)
Mr A Y K Tang
(Appointed 25 April 2024)
Ms J Y Y Gok
(Appointed 25 April 2024)
Ms C D Ee
(Appointed 25 April 2024)
Qualifying third party indemnity provisions

The company has made qualifying third party indemnity provisions for the benefit of its directors during the year. These provisions remain in force at the reporting date.

Disabled persons

Applications for employment by disabled persons are always fully considered, bearing in mind the aptitudes of the applicant concerned. In the event of members of staff becoming disabled, every effort is made to ensure that their employment within the company continues and that the appropriate training is arranged. It is the policy of the company that the training, career development and promotion of disabled persons should, as far as possible, be identical to that of other employees.

 

HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 8 -
Employee involvement

Homes For Students endeavours to maintain a consistent level of transparency and to engage employees in issues that may impact their interests. Our organisation benefits from an accessible Executive and Senior Leadership Team, distinguished by their commitment to attentively consider employee feedback and to effect advantageous adjustments whenever feasible.


Our annual business objectives are systematically circulated across all team members in an ongoing manner. This current year witnessed the introduction of our exclusive T.L.C. initiative, a tailored one-to-one program devised exclusively for Homes for Students. This program intricately incorporates our business objectives and their corresponding Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), strategically designed to foster comprehensive employee understanding and recognition of their potential to significantly contribute to the overarching success of Homes for Students.


We maintain a rigorous and dedicated internal communications platform, which we present through a diverse array of mediums to guarantee comprehensive access for all employees to forthcoming news and business events. In conjunction with 'The People's Voice,' our exclusive employee representative forum, this construct affords us a complete 360-degree feedback loop, ensuring the quality of our messaging and the effective reception of employee input.

 

In the current year, we have implemented a transformative adjustment to our approach for gathering structured employee feedback. We have transitioned from conducting an annual employee engagement survey to administering quarterly pulse surveys to a statistically representative subset of our workforce. This strategic evolution empowers us to expedite the feedback collection process and enhances our ability to promptly address insights, thereby bolstering employee retention and fostering sustained engagement.

 

Auditor

Following the merger of MHA Moore & Smalley with MHA, the company’s independent auditor has now become MHA. A resolution to reappoint MHA as independent auditor will be proposed.

Energy and carbon report

This section of the report sets out the group's report on emissions, energy consumption and energy efficiency activities.

 

The group operates from serviced offices and does not own any investment property. For its serviced offices, the group does not separately purchase gas or electricity. All managed properties are owned by third parties and energy consumption at these properties is not the responsibility of the group to report on.

 

Therefore the following sections are limited to the group's Scope 3 emissions from business travel.

2024
2023
Energy consumption
kWh
kWh
Aggregate of energy consumption in the year
395,622
281,142
HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 9 -
2024
2023
Emissions of CO2 equivalent
metric tonnes
metric tonnes
Scope 1 - direct emissions
- Gas combustion
-
-
- Fuel consumed for owned transport
-
-
-
-
Scope 2 - indirect emissions
- Electricity purchased
-
-
Scope 3 - other indirect emissions
- Fuel consumed for transport not owned by the group
91.95
65.34
Total gross emissions
91.95
65.34
Intensity ratio
Tonnes CO2e per employee
0.14
0.09
Quantification and reporting methodology

The group has followed the 2019 HM Government Environmental Reporting Guidelines. The group has also used the GHG Reporting Protocol – Corporate Standard and have used the 2023 UK Government’s Conversion Factors for Company Reporting

Intensity measurement

The chosen intensity measurement ratio is total gross emissions in metric tonnes CO2e per average number of employees over the financial year.

Measures taken to improve energy efficiency

The business has implemented an electric car scheme for employees as a measure to reduce emissions.

Strategic report

The truegroup has chosen in accordance with Companies Act 2006, s. 414C(11) to set out in the group's strategic report information required by Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, Sch. 7 to be contained in the directors' report. It has done so in respect of future developments.

Statement of disclosure to auditor

So far as each person who was a director at the date of approving this report is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the auditor of the company is unaware. Additionally, the directors individually have taken all the necessary steps that they ought to have taken as directors in order to make themselves aware of all relevant audit information and to establish that the auditor of the company is aware of that information.

On behalf of the board
Mr M Corbett
Director
16 October 2024
HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 10 -

The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

 

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the group and company, and of the profit or loss of the group for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:

 

 

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the group’s and company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the group and company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the group and company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
TO THE MEMBERS OF HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
- 11 -
Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Homes for Students Limited (the 'parent company') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise the group statement of comprehensive income, the group balance sheet, the company balance sheet, the group statement of changes in equity, the company statement of changes in equity, the group statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the group and parent company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

 

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the group's and parent company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

 

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

 

We have nothing to report in this regard.

HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)
TO THE MEMBERS OF HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
- 12 -

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:

 

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and parent company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report or the directors' report.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of directors

As explained more fully in the directors' responsibilities statement, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the parent company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the parent company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The specific procedures for this engagement and the extent to which these are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below:

HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)
TO THE MEMBERS OF HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
- 13 -

 

 

 

 

 

 

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation.  This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Paul Spencer BSc(Hons) FCA
Senior Statutory Auditor
For and on behalf of MHA, Statutory Auditor
Preston, United Kingdom
16 October 2024
MHA is the trading name of MacIntyre Hudson LLP, a limited liability partnership in England and Wales (registered number OC312313)
HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
GROUP STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 14 -
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
Turnover
3
79,725,639
64,726,640
Cost of sales
(65,024,190)
(51,752,286)
Gross profit
14,701,449
12,974,354
Administrative expenses
(11,236,578)
(9,552,697)
Operating profit
4
3,464,871
3,421,657
Other interest receivable and similar income
8
(104,936)
54,230
Interest payable and similar expenses
9
(2,462)
(14,582)
Profit before taxation
3,357,473
3,461,305
Tax on profit
10
(906,721)
(680,121)
Profit for the financial year
2,450,752
2,781,184
Profit for the financial year is attributable to:
- Owners of the parent company
2,501,602
2,838,676
- Non-controlling interests
(50,850)
(57,492)
2,450,752
2,781,184
Total comprehensive income for the year is attributable to:
- Owners of the parent company
2,501,602
2,838,676
- Non-controlling interests
(50,850)
(57,492)
2,450,752
2,781,184
HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
GROUP BALANCE SHEET
AS AT
31 MARCH 2024
31 March 2024
- 15 -
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
£
£
Fixed assets
Goodwill
12
357,778
406,566
Other intangible assets
12
846,794
734,739
Total intangible assets
1,204,572
1,141,305
Tangible assets
13
338,285
363,406
1,542,857
1,504,711
Current assets
Debtors
16
10,481,066
9,501,263
Investments
17
20,000
220,000
Cash at bank and in hand
5,728,338
6,130,650
16,229,404
15,851,913
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
18
(9,980,288)
(11,095,215)
Net current assets
6,249,116
4,756,698
Total assets less current liabilities
7,791,973
6,261,409
Provisions for liabilities
Deferred tax liability
19
177,978
98,166
(177,978)
(98,166)
Net assets
7,613,995
6,163,243
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital
21
6,000
6,000
Share premium account
302,940
302,940
Profit and loss reserves
7,433,165
5,931,563
Equity attributable to owners of the parent company
7,742,105
6,240,503
Non-controlling interests
(128,110)
(77,260)
7,613,995
6,163,243
The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 16 October 2024 and are signed on its behalf by:
16 October 2024
Mr M Corbett
Director
Company registration number 09840367 (England and Wales)
HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
COMPANY BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 MARCH 2024
31 March 2024
- 16 -
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
£
£
Fixed assets
Intangible assets
12
767,735
602,440
Tangible assets
13
329,151
358,677
Investments
14
1,672,888
1,721,676
2,769,774
2,682,793
Current assets
Debtors
16
10,631,661
9,191,553
Investments
17
20,000
220,000
Cash at bank and in hand
5,331,749
5,933,902
15,983,410
15,345,455
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
18
(9,767,734)
(10,819,858)
Net current assets
6,215,676
4,525,597
Total assets less current liabilities
8,985,450
7,208,390
Provisions for liabilities
Deferred tax liability
19
177,978
98,009
(177,978)
(98,009)
Net assets
8,807,472
7,110,381
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital
21
6,000
6,000
Share premium account
302,940
302,940
Profit and loss reserves
8,498,532
6,801,441
Total equity
8,807,472
7,110,381

As permitted by s408 Companies Act 2006, the company has not presented its own profit and loss account and related notes. The company’s profit for the year was £2,697,091 (2023 - £2,918,774 profit).

The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 16 October 2024 and are signed on its behalf by:
16 October 2024
Mr M Corbett
Director
Company registration number 09840367 (England and Wales)
HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
GROUP STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 17 -
Share capital
Share premium account
Profit and loss reserves
Total controlling interest
Non-controlling interest
Total
Notes
£
£
£
£
£
£
Balance at 1 April 2022
6,000
302,940
6,545,520
6,854,460
(122,401)
6,732,059
Year ended 31 March 2023:
Profit and total comprehensive income
-
-
2,838,676
2,838,676
(57,492)
2,781,184
Dividends
11
-
-
(3,000,000)
(3,000,000)
-
(3,000,000)
Purchase of shares in subsidiary from non-controlling interest
-
-
(452,633)
(452,633)
102,633
(350,000)
Balance at 31 March 2023
6,000
302,940
5,931,563
6,240,503
(77,260)
6,163,243
Year ended 31 March 2024:
Profit and total comprehensive income
-
-
2,501,602
2,501,602
(50,850)
2,450,752
Dividends
11
-
-
(1,000,000)
(1,000,000)
-
(1,000,000)
Balance at 31 March 2024
6,000
302,940
7,433,165
7,742,105
(128,110)
7,613,995
HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 18 -
Share capital
Share premium account
Profit and loss reserves
Total
Notes
£
£
£
£
Balance at 1 April 2022
6,000
302,940
6,882,668
7,191,608
Year ended 31 March 2023:
Profit and total comprehensive income for the year
-
-
2,918,773
2,918,773
Dividends
11
-
-
(3,000,000)
(3,000,000)
Balance at 31 March 2023
6,000
302,940
6,801,441
7,110,381
Year ended 31 March 2024:
Profit and total comprehensive income
-
-
2,697,091
2,697,091
Dividends
11
-
-
(1,000,000)
(1,000,000)
Balance at 31 March 2024
6,000
302,940
8,498,532
8,807,472
HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
GROUP STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 19 -
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
£
£
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
23
2,107,360
4,899,645
Interest paid
(2,462)
(14,582)
Income taxes paid
(917,720)
(536,453)
Net cash inflow from operating activities
1,187,178
4,348,610
Investing activities
Purchase of intangible assets
(491,471)
(236,677)
Proceeds from disposal of intangibles
4,036
-
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
(193,083)
(248,510)
Proceeds from disposal of tangible fixed assets
(4,036)
(442)
Repayment of loans
90,000
(30,000)
Interest received
5,064
54,230
Net cash used in investing activities
(589,490)
(461,399)
Financing activities
Purchase of shares in subsidiary from non-controlling interest
-
(350,000)
Dividends paid to equity shareholders
(1,000,000)
(3,000,000)
Net cash used in financing activities
(1,000,000)
(3,350,000)
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents
(402,312)
537,211
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
6,130,650
5,593,439
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
5,728,338
6,130,650
HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 20 -
1
Accounting policies
Company information

Homes for Students Limited (“the company”) is a private limited company domiciled and incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Hornbeam House, Hornbeam Park, Harrogate, HG2 8QT.

 

The group consists of Homes for Students Limited and all of its subsidiaries.

1.1
Accounting convention

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

The company is a qualifying entity for the purposes of FRS 102, being a member of a group where the parent of that group prepares publicly available consolidated financial statements, including this company, which are intended to give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the group. The company has therefore taken advantage of exemptions from the following disclosure requirements for parent company information presented within the consolidated financial statements:

 

1.2
Business combinations

In the parent company financial statements, the cost of a business combination is the fair value at the acquisition date of the assets given, equity instruments issued and liabilities incurred or assumed, plus costs directly attributable to the business combination. The excess of the cost of a business combination over the fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired is recognised as goodwill. The cost of the combination includes the estimated amount of contingent consideration that is probable and can be measured reliably, and is adjusted for changes in contingent consideration after the acquisition date. Provisional fair values recognised for business combinations in previous periods are adjusted retrospectively for final fair values determined in the 12 months following the acquisition date. Investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates are accounted for at cost less impairment.

 

Deferred tax is recognised on differences between the value of assets (other than goodwill) and liabilities recognised in a business combination accounted for using the purchase method and the amounts that can be deducted or assessed for tax, considering the manner in which the carrying amount of the asset or liability is expected to be recovered or settled. The deferred tax recognised is adjusted against goodwill or negative goodwill.

HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 21 -
1.3
Basis of consolidation

The consolidated group financial statements consist of the financial statements of the parent company Homes for Students Limited together with all entities controlled by the parent company (its subsidiaries) and the group’s share of its interests in joint ventures and associates.

 

All financial statements are made up to 31 March 2024. Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring the accounting policies used into line with those used by other members of the group.

 

All intra-group transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between group companies are eliminated on consolidation. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred.

Subsidiaries are consolidated in the group’s financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.

1.4
Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the group and company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. This is taking account of the balance sheet position, cash resources and forecasted growth. Thus the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.5
Turnover

Turnover is recognised at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course of business, and is shown net of VAT and other sales related taxes.

Revenue from annual contracts is recognised on a straight line basis over the period to which they relate. Where the contract includes a management fee, this is calculated and invoiced on a monthly basis.

 

Project income is recognised by reference to the stage of completion when the stage of completion, costs incurred and costs to complete can be estimated reliably. Revenue is recognised only to the extent of the expenses recognised that are recoverable or the work has been certified.

1.6
Intangible fixed assets - goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of acquisition of a business over the fair value of net assets acquired. It is initially recognised as an asset at cost and is subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is considered to have a finite useful life and is amortised on a systematic basis over its expected life, which is 10 years.

1.7
Intangible fixed assets other than goodwill

Intangible assets acquired separately from a business are recognised at cost and are subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses.

 

Intangible assets acquired on business combinations are recognised separately from goodwill at the acquisition date where it is probable that the expected future economic benefits that are attributable to the asset will flow to the entity and the fair value of the asset can be measured reliably; the intangible asset arises from contractual or other legal rights; and the intangible asset is separable from the entity.

HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 22 -

Amortisation is recognised so as to write off the cost of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Software and website development
33% straight line
Acquired customer contracts
20% straight line
1.8
Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Fixtures and fittings
25% - 33% straight line
Computers
33% straight line

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the profit and loss account.

1.9
Fixed asset investments

Equity investments are measured at fair value through profit or loss, except for those equity investments that are not publicly traded and whose fair value cannot otherwise be measured reliably, which are recognised at cost less impairment until a reliable measure of fair value becomes available.

 

In the parent company financial statements, investments in subsidiaries, associates and jointly controlled entities are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses.

A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the group. Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.

1.10
Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting period end date, the group reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the company estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs.

 

The carrying amount of the investments accounted for using the equity method is tested for impairment as a single asset. Any goodwill included in the carrying amount of the investment is not tested separately for impairment.

Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.

 

If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation decrease.

HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 23 -
1.11
Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents are basic financial assets and include cash in hand and deposits held at call with banks.

1.12
Financial instruments

The group has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

 

Financial instruments are recognised in the group's balance sheet when the group becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

 

Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amounts presented in the financial statements when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Impairment of financial assets

Financial assets are assessed for indicators of impairment at each reporting end date.

 

Financial assets are impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash flows have been affected. If an asset is impaired, the impairment loss is the difference between the carrying amount and the present value of the estimated cash flows discounted at the asset’s original effective interest rate. The impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss.

Derecognition of financial assets

Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the group transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity, or if some significant risks and rewards of ownership are retained but control of the asset has transferred to another party that is able to sell the asset in its entirety to an unrelated third party.

Classification of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the group after deducting all of its liabilities.

HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 24 -
Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors, are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

 

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

 

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the group's contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

1.13
Equity instruments

Equity instruments issued by the group are recorded at the proceeds received, net of transaction costs. Dividends payable on equity instruments are recognised as liabilities once they are no longer at the discretion of the group.

1.14
Taxation

The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.

Current tax

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the profit and loss account because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The group’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting end date.

Deferred tax

Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all timing differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the timing difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit.

 

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting end date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the profit and loss account, except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset if, and only if, there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to taxes levied by the same tax authority.

HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 25 -
1.15
Employee benefits

The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense.

 

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

 

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

1.16
Retirement benefits

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

1.17
Foreign exchange

Transactions in currencies other than pounds sterling are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing at the dates of the transactions. At each reporting end date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on the reporting end date. Gains and losses arising on translation in the period are included in profit or loss.

1.18

Current asset investments

Investments are initially measured at cost and subsequently reviewed for impairment. Interest income is recognised on a straight line basis over the term to which it relates.

2
Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

In the application of the group’s accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

 

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

Critical judgements

The following judgements (apart from those involving estimates) have had the most significant effect on amounts recognised in the financial statements.

Impairment of debtors

At each balance sheet date, management undertake an assessment of the recoverability of trade debtors and amounts owed by group undertakings, based upon their knowledge of the customers, ageing of the balances outstanding and previous write off history. Where necessary, an impairment is recorded as a doubtful debt. The actual level of debt collected may differ from the estimated level of recovery.

3
Turnover

All turnover is derived in the UK from the principal activity as outlined on page 1.

HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 26 -
4
Operating profit
2024
2023
£
£
Operating profit for the year is stated after charging:
Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets
214,628
180,841
Loss on disposal of tangible fixed assets
7,612
1,716
Amortisation of intangible assets
424,168
375,330
5
Auditor's remuneration
2024
2023
Fees payable to the company's auditor and associates:
£
£
For audit services
Audit of the financial statements of the group and company
25,200
19,250
Audit of the financial statements of the company's subsidiaries
13,950
9,900
39,150
29,150
For other services
Taxation compliance services
3,500
3,300
All other non-audit services
4,200
3,800
7,700
7,100
6
Employees

The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the group and company during the year was:

Group
Company
2024
2023
2024
2023
Number
Number
Number
Number
Office staff (including management)
219
186
205
180
Site staff
456
523
456
523
Total
675
709
661
703
HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
6
Employees
(Continued)
- 27 -

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:

Group
Company
2024
2023
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
Wages and salaries
19,950,064
18,568,696
19,024,504
18,128,058
Social security costs
1,710,995
1,628,722
1,637,163
1,572,956
Pension costs
602,002
528,236
563,137
510,292
22,263,061
20,725,654
21,224,804
20,211,306
7
Directors' remuneration
2024
2023
£
£
Remuneration for qualifying services
208,536
221,292
Company pension contributions to defined contribution schemes
5,039
7,976
213,575
229,268

The number of directors for whom retirement benefits are accruing under defined contribution schemes amounted to 2 (2023 - 2).

Remuneration disclosed above includes the following amounts paid to the highest paid director:
2024
2023
£
£
Remuneration for qualifying services
133,057
122,056
Company pension contributions to defined contribution schemes
4,348
7,246
8
Interest receivable and similar income
2024
2023
£
£
Interest income
Other interest income
(104,936)
54,230
Disclosed on the profit and loss account as follows:
Reversal of accured interest income (non-cash)
(110,000)
-
Other interest receivable and similar income
5,064
54,230
HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 28 -
9
Interest payable and similar expenses
2024
2023
£
£
Other interest on financial liabilities
2,462
14,582
10
Taxation
2024
2023
£
£
Current tax
UK corporation tax on profits for the current period
883,210
771,221
Adjustments in respect of prior periods
(2,219)
(10,517)
Total current tax
880,991
760,704
Deferred tax
Origination and reversal of timing differences
25,730
(72,919)
Changes in tax rates
-
0
(23,028)
Previously unrecognised tax loss, tax credit or timing difference
-
0
15,364
Total deferred tax
25,730
(80,583)
Total tax charge
906,721
680,121

The actual charge for the year can be reconciled to the expected charge for the year based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:

2024
2023
£
£
Profit before taxation
3,357,473
3,461,305
Expected tax charge based on the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 25.00% (2023: 19.00%)
839,368
657,648
Tax effect of expenses that are not deductible in determining taxable profit
69,572
62,718
Tax effect of income not taxable in determining taxable profit
-
0
(16,657)
Gains not taxable
-
0
(5,408)
Adjustments in respect of prior years
(2,219)
4,847
Effect of change in corporation tax rate
-
(23,027)
Taxation charge
906,721
680,121

From 1 April 2023 there was an increase in the corporation tax from 19% to 25%. The deferred tax rate of 25% has been used in both periods, due to the new rate being substantively enacted before 31 March 2023.

HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 29 -
11
Dividends
2024
2023
Recognised as distributions to equity holders:
£
£
Final paid
1,000,000
3,000,000
12
Intangible fixed assets
Group
Goodwill
Software and website development
Acquired customer contracts
Total
£
£
£
£
Cost
At 1 April 2023
535,530
981,263
746,607
2,263,400
Additions
-
0
491,471
-
0
491,471
Disposals
-
0
(19,888)
-
0
(19,888)
At 31 March 2024
535,530
1,452,846
746,607
2,734,983
Amortisation and impairment
At 1 April 2023
128,964
631,280
361,851
1,122,095
Amortisation charged for the year
48,788
223,506
151,874
424,168
Disposals
-
0
(15,852)
-
0
(15,852)
At 31 March 2024
177,752
838,934
513,725
1,530,411
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2024
357,778
613,912
232,882
1,204,572
At 31 March 2023
406,566
349,983
384,756
1,141,305
Company
Goodwill
Software and website development
Acquired customer contracts
Total
£
£
£
£
Cost
At 1 April 2023
47,651
671,413
740,759
1,459,823
Additions
-
0
456,117
-
0
456,117
Disposals
-
0
(19,888)
-
0
(19,888)
At 31 March 2024
47,651
1,107,642
740,759
1,896,052
Amortisation and impairment
At 1 April 2023
47,651
449,993
359,739
857,383
Amortisation charged for the year
-
0
136,678
150,108
286,786
Disposals
-
0
(15,852)
-
0
(15,852)
At 31 March 2024
47,651
570,819
509,847
1,128,317
HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
12
Intangible fixed assets
(Continued)
- 30 -
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2024
-
0
536,823
230,912
767,735
At 31 March 2023
-
0
221,420
381,020
602,440
13
Tangible fixed assets
Group
Fixtures and fittings
Computers
Total
£
£
£
Cost
At 1 April 2023
169,001
715,469
884,470
Additions
1,016
192,067
193,083
Disposals
-
0
(11,438)
(11,438)
At 31 March 2024
170,017
896,098
1,066,115
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 April 2023
62,422
458,642
521,064
Depreciation charged in the year
40,828
173,800
214,628
Eliminated in respect of disposals
-
0
(7,862)
(7,862)
At 31 March 2024
103,250
624,580
727,830
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2024
66,767
271,518
338,285
At 31 March 2023
106,579
256,827
363,406
HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
13
Tangible fixed assets
(Continued)
- 31 -
Company
Fixtures and fittings
Computers
Total
£
£
£
Cost
At 1 April 2023
144,948
709,343
854,291
Additions
1,016
183,152
184,168
Disposals
-
0
(11,438)
(11,438)
At 31 March 2024
145,964
881,057
1,027,021
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 April 2023
38,995
456,619
495,614
Depreciation charged in the year
40,202
169,916
210,118
Eliminated in respect of disposals
-
0
(7,862)
(7,862)
At 31 March 2024
79,197
618,673
697,870
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2024
66,767
262,384
329,151
At 31 March 2023
105,953
252,724
358,677
14
Fixed asset investments
Group
Company
2024
2023
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
£
£
Investments in subsidiaries
15
-
0
-
0
1,672,888
1,721,676
Movements in fixed asset investments
Company
Shares in subsidiaries
£
Cost or valuation
At 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024
1,818,354
Impairment
At 1 April 2023
96,678
Impairment losses
48,788
At 31 March 2024
145,466
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2024
1,672,888
At 31 March 2023
1,721,676
HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 32 -
15
Subsidiaries

Details of the company's subsidiaries at 31 March 2024 are as follows:

Name of undertaking
Registered office
Nature of business
Class of
% Held
shares held
Direct
BTR PRS LTD
Hornbeam House, Hornbeam Park, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England, HG2 8QT
Management of property
Ordinary shares
85.00
Universal Student Living Limited
Hornbeam House, Hornbeam Park, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England, HG2 8QT
Management of property
Ordinary shares
100.00
16
Debtors
Group
Company
2024
2023
2024
2023
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
£
£
Trade debtors
6,671,101
4,826,127
6,488,146
4,582,360
Corporation tax recoverable
-
0
10,671
-
0
-
0
Amounts owed by group undertakings
-
-
632,982
243,603
Other debtors
7,909
92,834
1,615
-
0
Prepayments and accrued income
3,580,200
4,403,857
3,508,918
4,365,590
10,259,210
9,333,489
10,631,661
9,191,553
Deferred tax asset (note 19)
221,856
167,774
-
0
-
0
10,481,066
9,501,263
10,631,661
9,191,553
17
Current asset investments
Group
Company
2024
2023
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
Loans
20,000
220,000
20,000
220,000
18
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Group
Company
2024
2023
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
Trade creditors
6,257,805
5,744,599
6,230,359
5,669,602
Corporation tax payable
476,246
523,646
445,203
504,338
Other taxation and social security
1,391,013
1,591,408
1,302,614
1,558,572
Other creditors
1,200
21,173
-
0
-
0
Accruals and deferred income
1,854,024
3,214,389
1,789,558
3,087,346
9,980,288
11,095,215
9,767,734
10,819,858
HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 33 -
19
Deferred taxation

The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the group and company, and movements thereon:

Liabilities
Liabilities
Assets
Assets
2024
2023
2024
2023
Group
£
£
£
£
Accelerated capital allowances
203,135
123,087
(27,523)
(32,135)
Tax losses
-
-
249,379
191,263
Other
(25,157)
(24,921)
-
8,646
177,978
98,166
221,856
167,774
Liabilities
Liabilities
Assets
Assets
2024
2023
2024
2023
Company
£
£
£
£
Accelerated capital allowances
203,135
122,930
-
-
Other
(25,157)
(24,921)
-
-
177,978
98,009
-
-
Group
Company
2024
2024
Movements in the year:
£
£
Liability/(Asset) at 1 April 2023
(69,608)
98,009
Charge to profit or loss
25,730
79,969
Liability/(Asset) at 31 March 2024
(43,878)
177,978
20
Retirement benefit schemes
2024
2023
Defined contribution schemes
£
£
Charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes
602,002
528,236

A defined contribution pension scheme is operated for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the group in an independently administered fund.

HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 34 -
21
Share capital
Group and company
2024
2023
2024
2023
Ordinary share capital
Number
Number
£
£
Issued and fully paid
Ordinary A shares of £1 each
4,920
4,920
4,920
4,920
Ordinary B Shares of £1 each
1,080
1,080
1,080
1,080
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000

The company has two classes of ordinary shares which carry full voting rights and full rights to receive dividends.

 

Both classes have full rights to distributions, firstly of the issue price of shares held and the balance pro rata on a return of assets on liquidation, capital reduction or otherwise pari passu with the other share class.

22
Related party transactions
Remuneration of key management personnel

The aggregate remuneration paid to key management personnel (including directors) during the period was £875,548 (2023: £872,566).

Other information

During the year the company made sales of £18,553,659 (2023: £13,290,669) and purchases of £1,849 (2023: £38,696) to/from entities with significant influence over the company. In addition the company made sales of £19,356 (2023: £17,567) and purchases of £24,744 (2023: £97,601) from other related parties.

 

Within trade debtors are £1,676,810 (2023: £1,677,552) and £9,954 (2023: £4,462) due from entities with significant influence over the company and other related parties respectively. Within trade creditors are £Nil (2023: £Nil) and £16,030 (2023: £8,846) owed to entities with significant influence over the company and other related parties respectively.

HOMES FOR STUDENTS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
- 35 -
23
Cash generated from group operations
2024
2023
£
£
Profit for the year after tax
2,450,752
2,781,184
Adjustments for:
Taxation charged
906,721
680,121
Finance costs
2,462
14,582
Investment income
104,936
(54,230)
Loss on disposal of tangible fixed assets
7,612
1,716
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets
424,168
375,330
Depreciation and impairment of tangible fixed assets
214,628
180,841
Movements in working capital:
Increase in debtors
(936,392)
(2,103,274)
(Decrease)/increase in creditors
(1,067,527)
3,023,375
Cash generated from operations
2,107,360
4,899,645
24
Analysis of changes in net funds - group
1 April 2023
Cash flows
31 March 2024
£
£
£
Cash at bank and in hand
6,130,650
(402,312)
5,728,338
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