Students face chaos in trying to find accommodation

With A-level results due this week many students could be left facing a battle in finding accommodation.

According to the Times, undergraduates at some universities could be temporarily housed in hotels or offered bunk beds in shared rooms.

Low supply and high demand in the student private rented sector has seen many students left struggling to find places.

Lower number of landlords in the market

Research by Save the Student shows that 46% of students live with private landlords during term time – an increase of 6% since 2022.

However, with student landlords leaving the market many students could be left in limbo in finding a place to live.

Graham Hayward, chief operating officer at Housing Hand says: “Renters need all the help they can get over the next couple of months.

“The influx of students into the private rented sector is always a challenge in terms of meeting demand and this year will be even more so, given the lower number of landlords in the market.”

Renters Reform Bill will only worsen supply crisis

The looming ban on fixed-term tenancies as part of the Renters Reform Bill could also see student landlords leaving the sector.

However, purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) providers have been exempted from this proposal and can still offer fixed-term contracts.

Ben Beadle, chief executive officer of the NRLA says the PRS should be offered fixed-term tenancies.

On Twitter, he said: “Students could be left to start term in hotel or bunk beds.

“The Renters’ Reform Bill will only worsen this supply crisis. It is important that the provisions allowed for the PBSA sector are extended to the student PRS.”

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