The latest analysis by student support service, Very Wise Student, now suggests students are facing rent increases of close to £2000
Figures released this week by Rightmove report an annual increase for tenants in the cost of rented housing of 16.1%. For the average-priced student-rented property of £148 a week that means an annual increase of £1239.
For some areas, this means even larger increases, including:
· London - £1993
· Edinburgh - £1889
· Warwick - £1649
· Glasgow - £1641
· Oxford - £1441
· Bristol - £1381
· Birmingham - £1380
· Sheffield- £1336
· Cambridge - £1306
Students in Manchester and Liverpool face rises of £1231 and £1222 respectively.
The National Union of Students has already highlighted a £340 gap between living costs and student maintenance grants – which rose 2.3% this year despite inflation running in excess of 10%, described by one Vice-Chancellor as a “chunky real terms cut” – and university leaders have warned that students may not be able to afford books, and may even be at risk of homelessness.
Figures from the Office of National Statistics also this week showed that 39% of renters are struggling to pay their rent – and 60% are struggling with energy costs.
The rent rise analysis was made by Very Wise Student, a new service offering students a free legal advice helpline offering advice & counselling for students on tenancy, financial, and landlord issues as well as academic pressures, personal problems, and general money worries.
Ajay Jagota, Very Wise Founder, responded to the figures: “There’s striking evidence that student tenants can’t cope in the cost of living crisis as it is and rent rises are making the situation even worse. That leaves student tenants very vulnerable to uncaring and unscrupulous landlords and letting agents – but in the current climate, they clearly cannot afford to lawyer up in order to protect their rights.
“Very Wise Student helps all student renters get access to legal justice. Whatever the problem is with their rented student housing we will take up the issue directly with their landlord or agent – and if all this extra pressure is really getting on top of them, we can help with emotional support too.
“We want universities, higher education colleges and student unions to partner with us to offer this lifeline to their students so we can help protect and support students through this difficult time."
