Purpose: This paper analyses the relationship between the potential demand for purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) properties and their online displayed attributes. Using data from 12 major UK cities, we analyse the effect of the online displayed property information on the popularity score of a PBSA.

Design/Methodology: The data used is from an online student accommodation listing platform – student.com which contains tangible and non-tangible property attributes, and the data is analysed using a hedonic regression model.

Findings: The results show that PBSAs’ tangible and non-tangible attributes are important to students in their online accommodation search, although, these attributes vary in impact. The study also reveals that failure to display key information of a PBSA may reduce the attractiveness of the property. The results suggest that PBSAs’ tangible and non-tangible attributes are important to students in their online accommodation search, although, these attributes vary in impact. The study also reveals that failure to display key information of a PBSA may make the property less attractive.

Practical implications: These insights are valuable in developing student accommodation investment, development and management strategies.