Why Ethical, Sustainable Student Accommodation Matters More than Ever

Student accommodation plays a far bigger role in academic success and wellbeing than many people may realise. Where students live can affect how they study, how they rest, how safe they feel and how supported they are during one of the most formative periods of their lives. As higher education evolves and students become more socially conscious, there is also growing awareness that accommodation should be held to higher standards than affordability and location alone.

This is where ethical and sustainable student accommodation, and B Corp Certification in particular, becomes increasingly relevant.

What B Corp Certification Actually Means

B Corp Certification is a globally-recognised standard awarded to businesses that meet rigorous requirements across social responsibility, environmental performance, transparency and accountability. Unlike self-declared sustainability claims, B Corp Certification is independently assessed and verified, measuring how a business operates across its entire ecosystem, from governance and worker practices to community impact and environmental responsibility.

In 2026, Study & Stay became the first student accommodation provider in Africa to achieve B Corp Certification, marking an important shift in how student housing can and should operate on the continent. This certification formally recognises a commitment to balancing profit with purpose, and to operating in a way that benefits students, communities and the environment over the long term.

Why This Matters for Students

Students are often in a uniquely vulnerable position as tenants. Limited budgets, short-term leases and high demand can result in accommodation where power dynamics are uneven and accountability is minimal. Ethical accommodation helps correct this imbalance.

A values-led accommodation provider is more likely to prioritise fairness, transparency and student wellbeing in everyday operations. This can be seen in clearer policies, more responsive management, better maintained living environments and a stronger focus on safety and inclusivity.

These factors contribute directly to a student’s ability to focus on their studies and maintain a healthy balance between academic and personal life.

Ethical practices are not abstract ideals; they shape students’ daily living experiences.

Sustainability and the Future Students Are Studying For

Sustainability in student accommodation goes beyond surface-level environmental initiatives. It involves thoughtful resource management, reduced environmental impact and long-term planning that does not compromise future generations.

Students are studying for careers and futures shaped by the decisions made today.

Choosing accommodation that aligns with sustainable principles allows students to live in a way that is consistent with the future they should be working towards. It also reinforces the idea that education, responsibility and ethical leadership are interconnected.

Raising the Standard of Student Living

As student expectations shift, accommodation providers must adapt. Today’s students are more informed, more values-driven and more willing to question how organisations operate. Ethical and sustainable accommodation is no longer a ‘nice to have’; it is becoming a benchmark of trust.

Study & Stay was established in 2022 as a provider of private student accommodation in Cape Town’s northern suburbs, offering residences in Maree Street, Kempenville, and Durban Road in Tygervalley. With 79 beds across these well-appointed hostels, the focus has always been on creating supportive, secure and well-managed living environments for students.

Study & Stay works closely with institutions such as Eduvos and Stadio, while also accommodating students from the University of the Western Cape, Northlink College, Boston City Campus and other tertiary institutions.

A More Considered Choice

Choosing student accommodation is one of the first major independent decisions many students make. Seeking out ethical, sustainable providers is a way of making that decision more intentional; one that prioritises wellbeing, fairness and long-term impact.

B Corp Certification signals that a provider is committed to operating responsibly and transparently, with students at the centre of its decision-making. For students, this means partnering with accommodation providers they can trust, allowing them to focus less on where they live and more on studying, living and thriving.