Thursday 02-02-2023 - 15:15

Last term, I launched a survey into student housing, calling for students to share their stories about the Housing Crisis. As soon as the link was shared, responses started to flood in, with students writing in great detail the extent to which the Housing Crisis has impacted them.

With consent, I have put together this article to publicise these stories. Although the media attention surrounding the private housing market has simmered down, the importance of the situation remains the same . This serves as a reminder, to the University, Landlords and Estate Agents, and Durham County Council, that the housing market is still in crisis. Each of these parties have a responsibility to do right by Durham students and address these longstanding and exacerbated issues with the housing market. If these parties are in any way sceptical over the concerns of our students, I encourage them to keep reading.

The prevailing issues that students have come forward with fall into five main categories: availability, Landlord and estate Agent practices, impact on studies, mental health, and cost. Here is what students have had to say.

One key theme that came through in the responses was, unsurprisingly, availability of housing...

The stress of signing so early put a massive strain on us while we were navigating living in new countries and settling in generally.

Very stressful with little information available about necessary steps in order to secure a property. Created a competitive environment with people itching to overtake others in order to secure one of the few properties available. Somewhat discriminatory towards those whose parents or guardians do not own property and therefore struggle to find a guarantor.

Another standout in the survey was their negative experiences of Landlord and Estate Agents practices...

We now are having to live with 3 random strangers we have never met because we have no other choice. Our listing lied too- we were told we'd have all bills included and when we got the contract we do not.

We got a call saying the house had already been letted despite us signing for it, and by that time we couldn’t and still haven’t found a house.

After all 4 tenants had signed the contract we got an email from the agent saying there had been a mistake and that the house was advertised at the wrong price. It feels like we may have been taken advantage of given the hostility of the market this year.

It comes as a shock to no one that the housing crisis has had an impact on studies...

I was dedicating little to no time to my reading or assignments. I was spending all my time either searching for houses or completely dissociating because of the overwhelming stress about housing. My attention in lectures also began to suffer, as did my diet and sleep pattern.

My friend was so stressed that he had to leave his seminar halfway through because he could not concentrate. This is not something no student should have to go through, especially not within the first month of being in Durham.

Have felt totally blindsided by the whole situation, and incredibly let down by the Uni. I’ve been unable to complete assignments and do my lecture readings due to having to spend so much time at estate agents asking after houses that are way beyond what I’m going to be able to afford.

With the heightened stress and panic that resulted from this year’s housing rush, it’s no wonder that students’ mental health has taken a downturn...

It’s made me feel sick and struggle to focus on my degree as I've been so worried about housing.

I was isolated from my college, and as I arrived late so barely knew anyone there. My parents have suggested that I commute from south London and stay in hotels but in my final year I know this would have a severe impact on my mental health and academic performance. I am contemplating dropping out.

Undoubtedly, the biggest concern for students outlined in the survey was the cost of renting. The financial struggles that students face have been acutely amplified by the Cost-of-Living Crisis, and this is no exception...

We are considering commuting from Newcastle or Darlington. You call yourself an inclusive university and yet how can you expect your students to pay more than tuition for accommodation alone. I think I will have to decide whether to eat or pay rent next year.

The house I’m currently in is increasing by £40 a week next year. I chose to live far out in Gilesgate because it was a cheaper option. My housemates want to stay here and they can afford it, but it’s out of my budget and it’s making things very awkward.

As a student from a working class background, I cannot afford most of the housing on offer for next year, the ones I find that are in my budget, I enquire and find the properties are already taken.

Housing is a priority for the Officer Team this year, and we won’t stop working on it until these issues are rectified. This article is the beginning of a larger piece of work gathering data and testimonies on the student private housing market.

We have launched a portfolio of evidence into student housing at Durham, as a tool to keep applying that pressure onto the University, Landlords and Estate Agents, and Durham County Council on this issue. If you wish to contribute to this, fill out the form here to submit your stories about student housing, or visit housing stories page here: https://www.durhamsu.com/housing-stories

Students can face issues with housing throughout the whole year. Support is out there for any student who needs it.

The Housing Toolkit can help you navigate private housing in Durham, from where to live to your tenant rights. https://www.durhamsu.com/housing-support/housing-toolkit

The Durham SU Advice Service offers free, impartial, and confidential advice to Durham students on a range of issues, including housing. You can contact them here: https://www.durhamsu.com/advice-and-support