Unite Students added that it has let 88% of bed spaces across its portfolio for the 2020/21 academic year.
Smith also said: "We know from our recent student survey that the majority of students are committed to continuing their studies and returning to their current student accommodation in the New Year and we look forward to welcoming them back in January. For those students that want to stay over the Christmas period, we will be fully operational. We will continue doing all we can to help keep students and our staff safe throughout this challenging period."
The company said that given current market uncertainty, it is too early to commit to the reinstatement of dividends. It will review this decision early in the new year.
In June the firm secured £300 million from investors and said it planned to use the proceeds of the share placing to buy and develop new sites, including in London and regional cities in the UK.
