Sunderland Student Residence Tops City Rankings After Redwood Living Takeover
Cassaton House, a 105-studio student residence in Sunderland city centre, has been rated the highest student accommodation in the city by its residents, just one year after Redwood Living assumed management. Previously absent from the StudentCrowd league table, the building now boasts an impressive score of 4.51 out of 5, surpassing the next best-rated Sunderland scheme, which scored 4.01.
Redwood Living, an operator accredited by the Association of National Operators of University Accommodation (ANUK), took over Cassaton House in June 2025 and successfully let every room for the 2025/26 academic year. This achievement stands out amid a broader decline in private student accommodation occupancy, which StuRents data released in June revealed had dropped to 85.4%, down 5.4 percentage points compared to the previous year.
Situated adjacent to Sunderland train station and within a ten-minute walk of the main university campus, Cassaton House required only fire safety upgrades prior to Redwood Living’s involvement. The company focused on operational improvements rather than structural changes, appointing a manager with 15 years of experience in student housing and establishing dedicated on-site maintenance and cleaning teams under her leadership.
Students frequently commend the on-site staff for their responsiveness and attentive care in reviews. All personnel are welfare trained, a crucial consideration given the high number of international students living away from home for the first time. Alec Bryant, co-founder of Redwood Living, emphasised the importance of providing a secure environment: “For a lot of these students it is the first time they have lived away from home, so we want them to have a safe place to grow as young adults while they study in Sunderland, in a home that is well managed.”
The building’s facilities are tailored to student needs, featuring a gym, study rooms, a communal kitchen and dining area, an on-site concierge, and comprehensive CCTV coverage to ensure safety throughout the premises.
Cassaton House also served as the benchmark property for Redwood Living’s ANUK accreditation, reinforcing the company’s status as an approved student accommodation operator. Jamie York, co-founder of Redwood Living, reflected on the milestone: “Taking on a building of this size cemented the hard work we had put in, starting with three bedroom HMOs and now operating 100 unit student accommodation.”
Founded and managed by two Chartered Surveyors, Redwood Living leases properties directly from landlords on terms ranging from five to over fifteen years, acting as a single tenant. This approach eliminates void periods for landlords and provides stability. The company intends to expand its portfolio further in Sunderland and across the North East by acquiring additional buildings.
