‘With these increases, I’ll have to go home’ – How high rents are forcing students out of York
Rent increases are making York unviable for students, many have claimed.
Accommodation costs are going up across the UK, but York has been particularly hard hit.
According to University of York student newspaper Nouse, there has been an estimated 27% increase in rents for student properties in the city for the 2023/24 academic year.
Popular student areas such as Badger Hill, Tang Hall and Hull Road have seen the largest increase overall. One property had seen a 42% rent increase.
It means York is now the most expensive city to rent in Yorkshire and the eighth most expensive student city in the UK.
We spoke to several students across York to find out how the rent rises were affecting them.
Katherine Morgan, a primary education student at York St John University, told us: “Most places I’ve seen have gone up by around £30 per week.
“I had to find a new place recently due to the prices increasing.”
The stress of property hunting for something affordable had sometimes affected her enjoyment of university life, she added.
Working not studying
Katherine thinks York is becoming unviable for some students. “I have a low student loan and luckily, I have enough savings and my parents can afford to give me money.
“But if I didn’t have that I would not be able to live in York.”
It’s not just York St John University’s students that have been impacted with the rising rent prices.
Rebecca Clegg, a history student at the University of York, said her rent is going up by £35 a week.
“The stress of the money is making me need to be in work more than my university lectures just to cover rent.”
Tell your story
Are you affected by York’s property market? Are you a tenant, a home buyer or a family member with a story to tell? Or are you a letting agent or estate agent who has some experience to share? Please get in touch.
National surveys have shown that more than 59% of students have a full-time job whilst in full-time education.
“York is an expensive city and with the price increase it’s difficult to manage finances, cover all payments needed and be able to have fun as well,” Rebecca said.
With rent prices increasing by 10.2% over the course of 2022 some students are changing their minds about the future of their academic studies within York.
Megan Williams, who studies law at York St John, said: “Originally I had planned to do my masters in York but with the cost of living and my rent increase I will have to move home.”
Both universities offer support to students with accommodation issues:
- the University of York has an accommodation Q&A here, directing people with accommodation issues to their Student Hub
- York St John University has its own accommodation Q&A, and directs students with accommodation concerns to its welfare advisers
We asked several York letting agencies for their thoughts on the situation but none wanted to talk to us.
York St John Students’ Union declined to comment.