Student housing shortage in London: around four students per room

New research has unveiled a concerning student housing shortage in London. The figures, released just ahead of A-level results, indicate that approximately four students are competing for every purpose-built student room in the capital. This scarcity of dedicated student accommodations is poised to force many school leavers into the general private rental sector. Savills estimates a ratio of 3.8 students per purpose-built bed, while the data reveals a considerable disparity between the 344,065 undergraduate and postgraduate students in London and the mere 91,351 beds available for the 2021-22 academic year.

StuRents, an accommodation search engine, highlights that planning applications for student beds have significantly declined. In 2016, proposals for 72,000 beds were made, compared to a meagre 27,000 in the previous year. The shortage stems from various factors, including competition from residential developers, construction costs, and planning complexities. To maintain London's allure for high-calibre students, it's essential to address this housing deficit and expedite delivery rates. Despite the appeal of world-class institutions and renowned culture, London's student market grapples with a substantial housing shortfall, prompting Unite Students to focus on bolstering their development pipeline to meet this mounting demand.

Learn about the full extent of the student housing shortage on The Evening Standard.