Nothing less than a crisis: accommodation shortage leaves students desperate
Thousands of undergraduate, postgraduate, new, and returning students are being forced into undesirable living situations as a result of a shortage in student accommodation and a surge in demand in some cities. As a result, many students' educational and emotional well-being is being negatively impacted.
In some cases, university students are dropping out or deferring their courses as a result of the housing crisis. Some students who remain in their university cities are left homeless, sofa surfing, or settling for expensive short-term lets with companies such as Airbnb.
Demand is so great in certain areas that Housing Hand, the UK's leading provider of rent guarantor services, has reported a 191% increase in enquiries for student accommodation. While there are variations by institution, this trend is being experienced nationally, with the National Union of Students in both Scotland and Ireland speaking out to national news outlets highlighting the severity of the situation and calling for action from the Government.
How have we arrived at this crisis?
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an influx of students graduating from high school and those who deferred from the 2020/21 academic year. Compounded by the A-Level grade inflation that saw 45% of A-Level entries being awarded A* or A, universities cannot accommodate all their new students. For example, in September the University of Bristol had to house over 300 students in private halls in Bath, which are 12 miles and over an hour commute away from their main university facilities.
Managing Director of Accommodation for Students, Simon Thompson summarises this “perfect storm” of factors that have resulted in this crisis. “The number of students returning to university, plus international students and those who have just finished their A-levels, means that demand for accommodation is very high…. and we are also seeing universities struggling to provide accommodation for their first-year students.”.
Furthermore, while speaking to BBC News John Blackwood, Chief Executive of Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL) points to the Private Resident Tenancy (PRT) 2016 Act as resulting in a surge of private landlords leaving the sector. “Properties which landlords would hold back and market specifically for students are now rented by people as their primary home on a longer-term basis. One of the key aims of the PRT has been achieved but it is students who are suffering.”.
Localised issues are also impacting specific regional markets, for example landlords in Glasgow have been reported to be withholding student lets from the market ahead of the COP26 conference, for which they can charge a premium price. Alternatively, landlords are asking for rent six months in advance, which for most students is not financially viable.
In summary, there is simply not enough of both university-managed accommodation and privately managed accommodation to accommodate the student population, leaving thousands vulnerable.
What are the wider impacts of the housing shortage on students?
Speaking to BBC Scotland, National Union of Students President Matt Crilly has stated that "It is completely unacceptable that any student would be experiencing homelessness and left without accommodation when classes have already started”. This concern comes from evidence that students are sofa-surfing, commuting long distances, and even dropping out as a result of the shortages. It is important to acknowledge the wider implications on students of navigating the difficult private rental market along with university life. Anecdotal evidence has also recognized the impacts on students’ mental wellbeing because of the stress of finding accommodation in such a difficult climate. Not to mention the potential effects it could have on access to education for many.
Accommodation for Students spoke to a final year student from the University of Bristol, Jake, who has suffered as a result of the housing shorting, which appears particularly acute in the city. "I have explored all options, both house shares with friends and individual rooms available in others' houses. It's been incredibly difficult to find anywhere that hasn't gone by the time I've replied to the ad, often I don't even get a response. I've been able to stay just outside of Bristol thanks to a family friend having a spare room, but I'd much rather live with students and so I'm still looking for places. Having to worry about this at the same time as studying has been very stressful and definitely not helpful to my studies".
Universities UK has attempted to reassure students affected that “universities are on hand to provide guidance and students who are concerned should speak to student support teams." Despite this, many students are being impacted in a multiplier of ways- financially, emotionally, and academically.
What is the solution?
In response to this, the NUS in both Scotland and Ireland have called upon the government to declare an official student housing emergency and to recognise the extent of the problem. Long-term sustainable strategies involving rent controls to improve student tenancy rights could alleviate the issue, however, without the increase in affordable PBSA and private student rentals in the short term, it looks unlikely that the problem will go away any time soon.
