Loc8me has almost quadrupled its footprint across Liverpool, adding 199 student properties and 1,100 beds to its management portfolio.

As a result of acquiring Liverpool-based Luxury Student Homes (LSH), the student lettings agency now manages nearly 1,500 properties across the city, which is home to more than 70,000 students across three universities.

The deal will also see all existing 25 members of LSH staff join Loc8me, including co-founder, Neil Colquhoun, who will remain involved in the business over the next five years.

The expansion follows growing consolidation in the student HMO sector following the Renters’ Rights Act, as more landlords move towards larger professional operators providing compliance support and management.

Liverpool has become a hugely important city for us over the last few years.”

Raffaele Russo, founder of Loc8me, said: “Liverpool has become a hugely important city for us over the last few years, and this acquisition significantly strengthens our presence in one of the UK’s busiest student markets.

“Luxury Student Homes has built a strong reputation locally over a long period of time, and bringing that together with Loc8me allows us to combine local expertise with the support, systems and consistency of a growing national platform.

University cities

“As regulation continues to evolve, we’re seeing more student landlords move towards experienced operators who can deliver high standards consistently for both students and property owners. For us, this is about continuing to invest in key university cities and building long-term stability within the student HMO sector.”

All properties joining Loc8me through the acquisition will operate under the company’s Seal of Approval framework, which sets standards around safety, presentation and property quality across its national portfolio.

The acquisition is one of Loc8me’s largest regional deals to date and marks another significant step in the company’s continued national growth.