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.
