Those responsible for sustainability management are constantly facing new challenges. A network initiated by AF Bostäder will give student housing companies the opportunity to share knowledge and inspiration with each other.

Over half of Sweden’s students are affected by some kind of mental health problem. For this reason, AF Bostäder works actively on social sustainability issues with initiatives such as the Help information project. For increased security, the company has now produced detailed flow charts for occasions when a student feels bad.

It’s now easier to thoroughly clean the corridor – with gentle cleaning agents! The students have received a special edition of the book “Städa hållbart med Ekotipset” (Clean Sustainably with Eco-Hacks), along with eco-friendly cleaning materials.

AF Bostäder rents out affordable housing in attractive locations to students at Lund University. The queue and rental terms, which include admission and study rate requirements, are to ensure that renting is fair and conducted via a housing queue. Sub-letting is permitted to a limited extent in order to facilitate, for example, studies abroad and military conscription.

AF Bostäder has launched a new communication strategy for channels such as Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn. Students have given their input and contribute to the content.

Since 2016, AF Bostäder has reported – and considerably reduced – emissions from its own operations, from purchased energy and from business travel. In line with the aims of Climate Neutral Lund, we are continuing to track down other indirect emissions.

AF Bostäder has for some time conducted risk analyses concerning everything from financing and work environment to extreme rainfall events. Now, the work on risk is being expanded and coordinated, for a better overview and reporting purposes.

Lund University is one of the world’s most distinguished higher education institutions. In Lund’s historical surroundings there is world-leading education and research, the best possible student life and the opportunity to obtain affordable, pleasant and long-term sustainable housing with almost no waiting time. Welcome to Lund University, Studentlund and AF Bostäder – here, a bright future awaits.

In September, AF Bostäder organised its first second-hand market and many things switched owners – from students to students. Simple, social, enjoyable and, of course, circular.

Many companies buy a ready-to-use business system and adapt their processes to the system. AF Bostäder has instead chosen to design its own system from scratch. Thanks to strong engagement internally in the development work, the system is powerful, easy to use and liked by both customers and staff.

A win in the customer survey Nöjd Studbo Live 2023, a nomination for Star of the Year and the best grade in Sweden regarding fault reports. AF Bostäder continues its tradition of garnering good reviews, due to goal-driven management, action plans, frequent communication with the students and an organisation in which everyone has the customers’ best interests in mind.

At Kämnärsrätten, AF Bostäder is conducting one of Sweden’s largest initiatives for long-term sustainable student housing. Pireus was inaugurated in 2023, and in two stages around 250 students have moved into a green and inviting place with space for both socialising and seclusion. All in a living environment so sound and climate-friendly that it has been awarded the Nordic Swan label.

AF Bostäder’s initiatives for health, wellbeing and a sense of community include elements such as sports events and social activities. This year we introduced a hiking excursion – a tradition in the making.

AF Bostäder dates back all the way to 1830. It was then that Akademiska Föreningen was formed to keep the students in order. Inspired by the English college system, AF offered food and accommodation to some 50 students. Sylwanska Gården became the first form of housing with student influence.

From the starting point of sustainable operational goals and the issues that the company’s stakeholders care about, AF Bostäder’s design of outdoor environments is based increasingly on sustainability. Here, there is scope for security and enjoyment, as well as climate adaption and biodiversity.

AF Bostäder aims to give students a rent trend that is as even as possible so that they can forecast their costs and keep track of their everyday finances. At the same time, stable revenues give AF Bostäder the preconditions for planning its operations with a long-term perspective.

Getting to know your neighbours and meeting new friends is crucial for students’ enjoyment and wellbeing. AF Bostäder is providing inspiration with new activity boxes.

Within the scope of the NUDGE energy network, AF Bostäder is expected to reduce energy consumption at Gylleholm by 30%. Collaboration within the network has also led to new knowledge.

With the building of Troja – AF Bostäder’s biggest construction start since the 1960s and the last quarter in the expansion along Kämnärsvägen – one of Sweden's most significant investments in sustainable student housing will reach the finishing line. In parallel, planning is underway for continued expansion, in careful balance with the housing needs of Lund students.

Thanks to two new IT functions, it has become easier to book pre-move-out inspections and simpler to see how many apartments and rooms are available for new students at the start of semesters.

At the Service Centre, customers often receive assistance from staff who are active students. Student workers make up a unique resource in the company, and the job is often a springboard for their own careers. Meet Amanda Forslund who has gone on to become a property appraiser, and Alexander Gahnström who has continued to work within AF Bostäder.

AF Bostäder is setting up an increasing number of areas with an aim to promote insects and birdlife. Biotopia opened in November 2022 – a buzzing housing area for insects.

AF Bostäder is implementing one of Sweden’s biggest investments in long-term sustainable student housing at Kämnärsrätten. Three of the quarters are now complete, one is close to being inaugurated and in 2022 construction began on Rhodos – a wonder in terms of sustainability and low climate impact.

It is well-known that we feel better in mind and body when we exercise. That is why in recent years, AF Bostäder has invited its tenants to take part in activities such as fun runs and league games in various sports, in cooperation with LUGI Motion. The interest from students is considerable and the atmosphere is great. Exercising is not only beneficial, but also very enjoyable.

In 2022, Sweden was affected by dramatic rises in electricity costs and the risk of electricity shortages, and it became more important to help out in saving electricity for financial and solidarity reasons. AF Bostäder has for many years worked in a target-oriented way on improving energy efficiency, and the initiatives have been continually expanded. During the autumn, the company also launched a campaign to encourage students to be economical with electricity.

At the end of 2022, AF Bostäder launched a whistleblower system in which staff can anonymously report serious misconduct. No whistleblower cases have been reported.

Customers with several debt collection demands regarding rent may, among other things, lose their queue time. AF Bostäder has therefore launched a new service that has reduced the number of consequences resulting from debt collection cases.

AF Bostäder works preventively on runoff water management in order to reduce the risk of damage from torrential rain. According to a risk review by VA Syd, preparedness is predominately good.

When Kämnärsrätten was built in the 1960s, Hans Westman’s innovative “four-leaf clover” buildings had an important role, and in total provided accommodation for 1 000 students. Many students have good memories from these special small buildings, which, apart from in the quarter at Gylleholm, are now a thing of the past. AF Bostäder has been demolishing four-leaf clover buildings since 2016 and has started one of Sweden’s biggest investments in long-term sustainable student housing.

Everyone living at AF Bostäder is to feel secure in their home. That is why the company continuously maintains everything from outdoor environments, lighting and stairwells – to locks for housing.

AF Bostäder uses district heating to heat almost all the radiators and hot water in its properties. District heating is a locally produced, easy-to-manage, reliable, resource-efficient and cost-effective form of heating. It is also eco-friendly – 99.8% of the district heating in Lund consists of renewable, recycled heat.

In an extensive renovation project, AF Bostäder is replacing all the plumbing systems for 850 corridor rooms at Delphi. Bathrooms, accommodation, ventilation, broadband and corridor fixtures will also get a revamp. The work is following an ingenious system in which all tenants avoid disruption by moving to a newly renovated corridor – with no change in the rent.

Mental health problems are becoming more common and students are a particularly vulnerable group. Therefore, AF Bostäder wants to find out more about how student housing can affect health, and whether students can feel better depending on how they choose to live. The company has allowed two students on the psychology programme to examine the links between housing environment and mental health.

In November, Lund University organised Climathon on the theme of Sustainable Student Housing, with AF Bostäder as principal partner. Exciting ideas were contributed by both Lund residents and students.

AF Bostäder’s vision is to be Sweden’s best student housing company. The organisation has a strong customer focus, and customer surveys, with questions covering areas such as housing, security and sustainability, form the basis for continuous initiatives regarding housing quality.

Newly admitted Lund University students whose home is outside Skåne need housing directly in order to begin their studies. The number of accommodation places earmarked for long-distance students increased in 2022.

Preparations for the year’s rent negotiations were characterised by considerable uncertainty due to the economic climate. Although AF Bostäder has been affected by costs that are no longer in relation to revenue, the company has been able to ensure that rents rose by only 2% from 1 January 2023 (1.9% 2022).

The Swedish construction industry has come a long way regarding recycling, and now the focus is increasingly turning towards reuse and circular construction. In connection with demolition work at Kämnärsrätten, AF Bostäder has carried out several successful projects for the reuse of fixtures and fittings. The company notes that reuse on a larger scale requires new knowledge, new networks and far-reaching changes in the sector.

As the students’ own housing company, AF Bostäder has a considerable responsibility to prudently manage its funds. In general, the company is restrained concerning sponsorship, but sees a great value in supporting the activities in student life and the Lund Carnival in particular. The sense of community in Lund’s student life is unique in Sweden, and the investments help to strengthen Lund as a university city.

In order to enhance wellbeing, some of the larger corridors at Delphi has been converted into smaller units. The tenants have been involved in choosing the colour schemes.

AF Bostäder’s caretakers have a broad job description with responsibility for everything from ongoing maintenance, repairs and inspections to taking care of outdoor environments. But the most enjoyable – and most important – is the social responsibility. Caretakers at AF Bostäder are to promote social sustainability, help the students settle in and contribute to wellbeing and security in the housing area.

AF Bostäder’s rent-setting stems from a rent model based on the students’ wishes, and the annual rent increase is negotiated with the Swedish Union of Tenants (Hyresgästföreningen). As AF Bostäder is a foundation, the revenue remains entirely within the organisation, where it is used for maintenance and long-term investments.

In a two-year initiative, AF Bostäder has renovated and renewed the outdoor environment at Ulrikedal. In addition to technical maintenance and improved waste systems, the initiative has given the students secure, well-lit bicycle parking spaces, pleasant areas for socialising where lawns and meadows are interspersed with barbecue areas, boule court, outdoor gym and much more.

AF Bostäder has achieved good results in measuring and reducing emissions of greenhouse gases in its own operations and from purchased energy. Now, the focus is intensifying on other indirect emissions. A recent review is to form the basis for reducing emissions from new construction projects and property management.

AF Bostäder constantly looks for solutions to improve the housing experience and the range of services for tenants. Through cooperation with various partners, the company can find good ideas for services that suit the students. It is a customer group with certain specific conditions and interests – they work from home and rarely use a car.

In 2020, AF Bostäder produced a code of conduct that is to ensure that AF Bostäder and the company’s partners have the same sustainability aims. The introduction continued in 2021 with a focus on close dialogue.

When the outdoor environment at Ulrikedal was to be revamped, the students were invited to express their wishes – with fantastic results! Ulrikedal has become a verdant place for games, sport and socialising.

One of AF Bostäder’s prioritised global goals concerns protecting biodiversity and natural living environments. AF Bostäder promotes a great variety of species by means such as confining new construction to areas with already impervious surfaces and laying sedum roofs. Much remains to be done and several new initiatives are under way.

At Kämnärsrätten, AF Bostäder is driving one of Sweden’s largest investments in student housing. The plans cover six new quarters, and the company is on a purposeful development journey in which each new construction project becomes more innovative and sustainable than the last. The last quarter is the best by far – and the next will be even better.

The students can hand in waste such as batteries, electronic devices, light sources and bulky furniture in the Green Room, which also has the popular recycling shelf where objects disappear just as fast as they are handed in.

An increasing number of students are affected by mental health problems. AF Bostäder has run the Help information project since 2019 to help more people get the right support. The initiatives continued in 2021 with education, lectures and film production, as well as preventive leisure activities, which have rapidly become popular.

Since 2020, AF Bostäder has carried out climate impact calculations for all new construction projects, something that will be required by law from 2022. The aim is to map and reduce the impact of new construction on the climate.

AF Bostäder has a zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of corruption. The company has both internal guidelines for business ethics and a code of conduct for staff and partners. A whistleblower function will also be established soon.

As the students’ own housing company, AF Bostäder has a great responsibility to carefully manage the foundation’s funds. In general, the company is restrained regarding sponsorship, but contributes every year to events and activities that are significant for student life.

There is a high demand for housing adapted for students in Lund, but there are many alternatives and most people who are admitted for studies have some form of housing at the start of the semester. AF Bostäder is working in the long term to increase accommodation, and new student housing quarters are taking shape.