Places in university halls are running out in one university city and pushing up rents as subsidised foreign students flock to let private shared houses nearest the campus.
Landlords and letting agents in Sheffield report Chinese students are keen to pay up to £1,000 for places in good quality shared housing neighbouring Sheffield University and Sheffield Hallam University.
Some students from abroad pick up state subsidies of up to £2,400 month to help pay for their expenses.
More than 9,000 international students are expected to sign up for courses at the city’s universities during the next couple of weeks - yet the halls only cater for around 5,000, leaving thousands seeking private housing.
Most of the halls space is already gone as second and third year students apply for beds in July.
“We expect a large number of overseas students looking for homes in the city centre,” said Peter Lee, a director at letting agents Blundells.
“We have 280 potential tenants on our books and 13 available properties. They go quickly as demand is so keen.”
The race to let a home is also pushing up rents as landlords cash in and add premium to the price eager students pay.
A one-bed city centre flat renting will let for between £550 or £595.
Sheffield’s international students mainly come from China, outnumbering those from other countries by around five times as many.
Many are much better off financially than British students - with letting agents reporting some students renting penthouse flats for more than £1,000 a month.
Landlords are also keen to take in foreign students as they often agree to pay upfront rent for the year, so they jump the queue ahead of others who opt to pay monthly.
A Hallam University spokesman said: “Richer students tend to pay £1,000 a month to live in or around the central area because it’s most convenient. They can roll out of bed straight in to a lecture.”
