HOMES_FOR_STUDENTS_LIMITE - Accounts

The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 31 March 2022.

The principal activity of the company is management of student accommodation, co-living and Build to Rent ("BTR") including sales and marketing, customer experience, hard and soft facilities management, compliance assurance, internet service’s and property insurance and energy brokering associated with the properties we manage. The accounts have been prepared for the 12 month period to 31 March 2022.

Homes for Students are now a leading operator in the student accommodation sector with around 37,000 purpose built student accommodation (“PBSA”) beds under management for 2022 under our “Homes for Students,” “Prestige Student Living,” “Essential Student Living,” “Urban Student Life,” “Universal Student Living” and “UK Student Houses” brands.

The “Universal Student Living” brand was acquired in the summer of 2021 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Homes for Students.

During 2021 we also set up our joint venture BTR PRS Limited, trading as VervLife, to focus on co-living and BTR including both Single Family Housing ("SFH") and Multi-family Housing ("MFH"). This is set up as a subsidiary of Homes for Students Limited with Navana Group as our joint venture partner, and VervLife is already gaining traction and an increasing reputation in these sectors.

We have built a reputation for delivering high occupancy with fixed and competitive operating costs and aligning our incentives with investor’s returns. We now have 158 properties in 52 UK towns and cities across a diverse range of clients and with over 5,000 beds at various stages in the pipeline. This has been achieved in just under seven years since the business was formed.

The scale and stability of the business and platform it works off is becoming increasingly important to allow the company to succeed in an ever-competitive marketplace in respect of internet presence, marketing intelligence and operational efficiencies. Our scale has also enabled us to employ dedicated individuals for GDPR, Communications, University Partnerships, Procurement, ESG, Project Management and to employ our own International Agent Broker.

Homes For Students and Universal Student Living combined have generated profit before tax of £3,082,566. At 31 March 2022 the group had net assets of £6,732,059, which is supported by a healthy cash balance of £5,593,439. The group has generated profit before tax of £2,667,979, which includes the start-up costs for VervLife as well as the integration of Universal Student Living into the group.

Cashflows are positive and the business has shown how versatile it is as its weathered COVID-19 well to date. This is down to a ‘business as usual’ approach and focusing on lettings and regular updates to the investors with whom we work.

The level of labour wage increases and supply chain increases will place our fixed price contracts under pressure, but this will hit more our cashflows as indexation will catch up some 12 months thereafter.

Utilities cost will also hit our NOI bonuses and we will try to counteract to a degree with procurement and energy saving initiatives.

For 2022/23, lettings are ahead year on year compared to the last non-COVID year which means a positive outlook for the company. We also have an additional 6,500 contracted PBSA beds being added in September 2022 and on this basis we have a high degree of confidence we will meet our business plan for 2022/23.

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:

The company has managed to expand during Covid and increased its net profit year on year and this underpins our investment plans for this next year which includes expanding into co-living and BTR as well as increasing our capability in ESG and supporting both our staff, tenants and clients to reduce their carbon footprint as we develop our roadmap to net zero carbon. We are also increasing our interior design and project management capabilities to target repositioning of existing properties as well as design of new properties.

In order to facilitate these transactions and expansion into new and related areas of business activity we have created new Group and VervLife posts to facilitate expansion into Co-living and BTR.

Our forecast for the next 12 months looks healthy based on the business we have already secured and therefore we have every confidence that the year ahead will be successful and provide security of employment and career opportunities for our staff. We are forecast to manage more than 40,000 beds by the end of 2022 which means we will be the largest third-party purpose built student accommodation managers in the UK and Ireland by bed numbers and with increasing co-living, SFH and MFH opportunities as this area of the market expands.

On behalf of the board

The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2022.

The results for the year are set out on page 9.

Ordinary dividends were paid amounting to £2,000,000. The directors do not recommend payment of a further dividend.

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

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 aims to be transparent at every opportunity and involve employees in matters likely to affect employees' interests. We have in place an approachable Senior Management & Leadership Team, who pride themselves on listening to employees and implementing positive changes wherever possible.

At the beginning of the financial year the business objectives are cascaded to the whole company to ensure that employees are aware of how their role directly affects the company performance.

In 2019 we launched an Engaged, Empowered, Enlightened (EEE) forum across the company with up to 25 employee representatives in place to consult and discuss initiatives, to allow participation in business objectives and to increase feedback and the employee voice within the company. These groups meet on a quarterly basis and have a direct link to our Senior Leadership Team in order to actively encourage employee involvement.

We regularly cascade targeted and specific information about matters of concern to employees on a fortnightly, monthly and quarterly basis via company newsletters and other internal communication channels. This also includes requesting employees to participate in monthly health and wellbeing initiatives in order to promote employee involvement across the wider teams and boost team spirit.

On a yearly basis an Employee Engagement Survey is carried out to gain valuable feedback from employees regarding how they view the culture of the company, our communication methods and to understand where improvements may need to be made. This survey also highlights specific initiatives or benefits that employees feel would be beneficial to their time at Homes For Students and the directors of the company base any principal decisions around new benefits on the feedback from this survey.

The auditor, MHA Moore and Smalley, is deemed to be reappointed under section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006.

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.

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.

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:

•     select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

•     make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

•     state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the ;

•     prepare the on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the group and company will continue in business.

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.

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 2022 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:

•     give a true and fair view of the state of the group's and the parent company's affairs as at 31 March 2022 and of the group's profit for the year then ended;

•     have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

•     have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

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.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

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

• the information given in the strategic report and the directors' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

• the strategic report and the directors' report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and the 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. 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:

• adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

• the parent company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

• certain disclosures of directors' remuneration specified by law are not made; or

• we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

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.

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, are detailed below:

• Enquiries with management about any known or suspect instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations and fraud;

• Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in their significant accounting estimates;

• Auditing the risk of management override of controls, including through journals testing and other adjustments for appropriateness, and evaluating the business rationale of significant transactions outside the normal course of business;

• Enquiry of staff in tax and compliance functions to identify any instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations;

• An evaluation of the company's internal control environment; and

• Reviewing board minutes and resolutions.

Because of the industry in which the client operates, we identified the following areas as those most likely to have a material impact on the financial statements: Health and safety, GDPR, client money protection, employment law and compliance with the UK Companies Act.

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.

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 £2,613,092 (2021 - £2,090,897 profit).

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.

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:

• Section 7 ‘Statement of Cash Flows’: Presentation of a statement of cash flow and related notes and disclosures;

• Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instrument Issues: Interest income/expense and net gains/losses for financial instruments not measured at fair value; basis of determining fair values; details of collateral, loan defaults or breaches, details of hedges, hedging fair value changes recognised in profit or loss and in other comprehensive income;

• Section 33 ‘Related Party Disclosures’: Compensation for key management personnel.

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.

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 2022. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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:

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.

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.

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.

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

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, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

Government grants are recognised at the fair value of the asset received or receivable when there is reasonable assurance that the grant conditions will be met and the grants will be received.

A grant that specifies performance conditions is recognised in income when the performance conditions are met. Where a grant does not specify performance conditions it is recognised in income when the proceeds are received or receivable. A grant received before the recognition criteria are satisfied is recognised as a liability.

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.

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.

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.

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

At each balance sheet date, management undertake an assessment of the recoverability of trade debtors 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.

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

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

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:

The number of directors for whom retirement benefits are accruing under defined contribution schemes amounted to 2 (2021 - 2).

As total directors' remuneration was less than £200,000 in the comparative year, no disclosure is provided for that year.

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:

In March 2021 the Chancellor confirmed, in the budget, an increase in the corporation tax from 19% to 25%. The Finance Bill 2021 had its third reading on 24 May 2021 and is now considered substantively enacted. Due to the Act being enacted before the balance sheet date, timing differences are provided for at 25%.

Details of the company's subsidiaries at 31 March 2022 are as follows:

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

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.

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.

On 20 April 2021 the group acquired 60 percent of the issued capital of BTR PRS LTD.

On 28 July 2021 the group acquired 100 percent of the issued capital of Universal Student Living Limited.

The goodwill arising on the acquisition of the business is attributable to the anticipated profitability and the future operating synergies from the combination.

The aggregate remuneration paid to key management personnel (including directors) during the period was £809,849 (2021: £672,407).

During the year the company made sales of £10,538,988 (2021: £9,583,068) and purchases of £23,435 (2021: £nil) to/from entities with significant influence over the company. In addition the company made sales of £nil (2021: £nil) and purchases of £252,691 (2021: £452,735) from other related parties.

Within trade debtors are £1,709,950 (2021: £1,588,554) due from entities with significant influence over the company. Within trade creditors are £4,800 (2021: £nil) and £11,305 (2021: £55,383) owed to entities with significant influence over the company and other related parties respectively.