Recent YouGov data has indicated that 53% of the British public believe the Government should intensify efforts to assist students in finding housing.
This sentiment emerges as the Renters Reform Bill, which proposes ending fixed-term tenancy agreements (FTTAs) for private student housing, makes its way back to Parliament—a move that has been cautioned against by higher education entities like Universities UK due to its potential to exacerbate the current student housing crisis.
The potential consequences of such legislative changes are illustrated by the situation in Scotland, where the majority of the public now perceives a shortage in student housing following similar reforms in 2017. Calum MacInnes, chair at SAPRS, emphasises the research’s implications: “Our research provides damning evidence for the government to act quickly and offer parity for private student housing with purpose-built student accommodation.”
The findings also underscore the impact of housing availability on student wellbeing, with 96% of those recognising a housing shortage concerned about the adverse effects on affordability and mental health.
Paddy Jackman, CEO at Unipol, comments on the broader educational impact: “The current lack of affordable accommodation means that students are choosing where to study based on accommodation availability…Any further reduction in the supply…will only make the situation worse.”
SAPRS argues for amending the Renters Reform Bill to ensure fair treatment of private student housing, suggesting an approved code of conduct with quality standards and protections for students as a way forward. This, it says, would ensure security and support for the student community in these critical times.
