Living away from home at Univesity – what is that like?  

Owen Redman Co-founder of Roome has experienced student accommodation first hand as an undergraduate, and then when setting up Roome with James Buck, explicitly to solve its pain points. Recently Owen asked three different stakeholders, Students, Universities and Parents what the big rocks in the road were for them in 2024? As expected they all came at it from a different perspective.

An Undergraduate’s view

‘Many may not realise it but student accommodation to a very large extent colours and shapes the university experience, yet for many undergraduates in the UK, it is often an overwhelming challenge. Affordability, location, quality, and community are words that came up time and time again when engaging with students, and all are in the mix to either promote or lessen the years spent studying and building lifetime bonds with others.

Specifically budgetary concerns with spiralling  accommodation costs loom large with students who rely on a mix of student loans, family support and part-time work. Rents in the PRS are rising annually and the student sector is no different. In cities like London or Bristol, students continually juggle rent with other essentials, such as food, transport, and study materials. Which often dampens the university experience.

From analysis we know that 50% of students investigate housing options before applying to university. Which is why Roome explicitly makes that process of understanding the housing market as easy as possible for students and their parents in their decision-making process. Where universities will have all of the data and information on hand to share directly with prospective students

Maintenance or lack of it was also a recurring theme with students grappling with sub-standard rooms to live in, mold, inadequate heating, poor insulation, and delays in basic maintenance issuers being carried out. Problematic for students with health or respiratory issues. Again making it hard for students to feel at ease and focus on their studies.

A big topic for students, was the proximity of where they lived to where they studied, if housing is far from the university, the commute is an added stress factor, especially with the demands of a busy class schedule, late-night study sessions. Living on the periphery making it difficult to form friendships or stay connected to campus life, which can impact their social integration and overall satisfaction with their university experience.

Living in housing where it’s difficult to connect with other students or participate in social activities can feel isolating, especially for those new to the area. Students value environments that foster connection, whether through communal spaces, organized events, or shared facilities.

This ties in with mental health which is now a very large component of young people’s world view. Their living environment has a direct impact on students’ mental well-being. Crowded or noisy accommodations can make it difficult for students to relax or focus, while living in isolated or poorly designed housing can lead to feelings of loneliness.

Shared accommodations with limited privacy can be particularly stressful, especially during intense study periods like exams. Students value spaces that provide both a sense of community and sufficient privacy to support their mental health.’

The University perspective

‘At present Universities are between a rock and a hard place, and that is why Roome exists, these seats of learning are executing many key objectives all at once. They have to manage  affordability, balancing supply and demand, maintain quality, and address a whole raft of student expectations. These complex objectives can be broken down into seven key areas.

Affordability and Financial Viability. Universities face the challenge of keeping rents affordable for students while managing rising operational costs. Maintenance, utilities, and staffing costs have increased, but universities are under pressure to keep accommodation rates low. Very hard when operating on limited budgets, and many universities find it challenging to balance providing affordable options while covering expenses.

Demand vs. Supply. Many universities struggle to meet the demand for accommodation. With a  shortfall in purpose-built student accommodation this means waiting lists and students looking  to source their accommodation in the private rental market. Building new accommodations is costly, and universities often face delays due to planning permissions and funding constraints..

After a decade-long freeze, domestic tuition fees are set to rise from £9,250 to £9,535 in September 2025 to align with inflation. This increase aims to alleviate financial pressures on universities, which have been facing rising operational costs and a decline in international student numbers due to stricter immigration policies

Maintenance Standards. High standards of living is essential to attract and retain students, but ongoing maintenance can be both costly and time-consuming. Universities must frequently invest in updates and repairs to keep older facilities in good condition, especially in cases of wear and tear or structural issues like dampness and heating. The reputation of the accommodation and the university can suffer.

Student Welfare and Mental Health Support. Universities seek to nurture their students with an increasing demand for mental health and welfare services linked to accommodation. Students demand not just a place to live but also a supportive community. This often requires universities to invest in welfare teams, residential advisors, and facilities for student engagement, which adds to operational costs and staffing needs.

ESG. Reduction of the carbon footprint, by improving the energy efficiency of accommodation facilities by retrofitting buildings is costly and logistically complex. With pressure from students and other stakeholders for universities to adopt sustainable practices, energy-efficient heating and lighting systems and reducing waste, adding more layers of financial and operational responsibility.

Health & Safety.  This is a top priority for universities, but compliance is costly and time-consuming. Fire safety, accessibility for disabled students, and compliance with local council regulations require continuous monitoring and investment. Regular inspections, staff training, and upgrades to safety systems are all necessary but can strain resources.

Meeting Diverse Needs and Expectations. Students in 2024 have higher expectations regarding accommodation quality, privacy, and amenities, with some expecting en-suite rooms, fast Wi-Fi, and communal spaces. Universities are challenged to balance providing a range of room options while ensuring that all students feel satisfied with their accommodation.’

The parent’s standpoint

‘When offspring go away to college, top of the list is the safety and security of their children,  especially if they’re living away from home for the first time. They want assurances that accommodation facilities have good security measures, such as CCTV, secure entry systems, and 24/7 on-site staff. Areas with high crime rates or poorly maintained security are especially concerning.

Whilst the safety of their children is paramount – the topic of affordability, the high cost of student accommodation is a significant worry for parents, especially given the recent surge in rents across the UK. With many parents financially support their children during university, and the increasing accommodation costs add pressure on family budgets. In cities like London and Bristol, for example, weekly rents can exceed £280, which can be overwhelming for many families.

And any factors that add to the weekly cost of student life are a perceived burden for parents, a costly commute. Also parents worry about their children’s well-being if they need to travel long distances, often on public transportation late at night after studying or social events. It seems the expectation on parents making up the difference in any rent shortfall is continuing; all be it the difference is getting larger and larger with more expensive rents in the pipeline.

Maintenance of the physical structure of the building is also an issue, parents expect their children’s accommodation to be comfortable and well-maintained, but some student housing has fallen short, leading to health risks and additional expenses. All  parents feel that their children should live in a clean, functional, and reasonably spacious environment.

Naturally protective of their children’s mental health and well-being, many parents worry about the effect that substandard or isolating living conditions could have on their child’s well-being, especially if they’re away from home for the first time. Living in a supportive environment, ideally with access to campus resources and a strong sense of community, is a priority.

Parents are increasingly seeking assurances from universities and accommodation providers that these issues are being addressed, as they want their children to have a safe, comfortable, and supportive place to live while studying.’

If you would like to find out more about how Roome helps Universities, Students and of course parents with the student accommodation ‘gap’ – just use this LINK.

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