International students are as eager as ever to continue their education in Britain. UCAS (The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service), have just released latest figures, which show that just over 45,100 students from the EU applied to study in the UK at the March 2017 deadline, while a further 60,300 were international students from non-EU countries, a rise of 2 per cent.
All those who are finally accepted will then join the increasing number of students who struggle to find
decent, affordable accommodation in the major university towns, such as London, Brighton, Cambridge and Manchester. The cost of renting is, in many cases, beyond their reach, But how many students are aware of homestay accommodation where the monthly price of a room in a family home with inclusive meal plans can be around half the typical rental price?
Even as we speak, plans are well underway for the Autumn 2017 first year intake. But it’s at this time of year that those overseas students who started their courses in Autumn 2016 will be soon be coming to the end of their first year. If fortunate enough to have grabbed a room at a halls of residence before arriving, their luck will soon be running out. All international students must vacate their rooms after the first year, which is now just a few short months away.
The hunt began early and reality has already kicked in
For the wise heads and practical types, the hunt for accommodation began early in the new year and reality has already kicked in. Figures just released show that in Greater London, for example, the average monthly rent has risen by 1.5 per cent in just the first quarter of 2017, to around £1,950. The increase was just shy of the 1.9 per cent inflation rate in January. Around the UK, rents are expected to rise faster than house prices over the next five years. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors predicts that rents will increase by just over 25 per cent.
But it’s not all bad news! In Autumn 2016, the government announced that it would look to introduce a ban on letting agent fees paid by tenants. The start of the consultation process has just started in April and is due to finish in June, so any agreed changes are unlikely to be introduced in the current or possibly, the next academic year.
However, the UK inflation rate is set to steadily rise to around 2.7 per cent by the time former first year international students have long departed their halls of residence and have started their second year. But where will they be living? As inflation creeps up, the private sector is sure to ratchet up the monthly rent. If and when the government does introduce a lettings fee ban, landlords may quietly add it on to the rent charged anyway.
Takes the stress out of trying to find a secure and comfortable place to live
Even if you could just scrape together the monthly rent – plus the council tax, electric, gas and water bills – would it be worth the grief of unexpected and unforeseen issues with the landlord? One recent report by the National Union of Students (NUS) found that nearly 8 in 10 students claimed to have experienced problems in their privately rented accommodation. As many as 3 in 4 students wound up in debt over their deposits, letting agency fees and other initial costs, simply to secure the most basic one bedroom flat.
And yet, all the while, a family hosted accommodation can be the answer! Not just for the youngest overseas students living away from home for the first time but also for 2nd and even 3rd year students. Sharing a flat or a house with friends made in the first year at college while staying in halls of residence may not turn out the way everyone imagines it will. It’s not just about the arguments over who keeps using up all the hot water, food constantly going missing from the fridge or unwashed plates. You could end up evicted if someone can’t or won’t pay their share of the rent each month.
Homestay accommodation is affordable – it has to be because it’s for students! A hosted room also takes much of the unwanted uncertainty and stress out of trying to find a secure and comfortable place to live while studying in the UK. After staying up late for a bit of a party the night before, followed by a long gruelling day of lectures and seminars, you’ll definitely be thankful to be served your favourite evening meal by your host before heading to a warm bed. What’s more, your lunchtime sandwiches for the next day will be waiting for you at breakfast.