Student housing shortage 'leaves hundreds with nowhere to live'

A student housing shortage in Scotland has left hundreds with nowhere to live for the first few weeks of their degree, according to the country’s National Union of Students.

The union has highlighted students being forced to pay ‘sky high rents’, experience homelessness and drop out or defer because they cannot find adequate housing.

And those studying in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Stirling are among the worst affected, with NUS saying some landlords are increasing rent to profit from demand.

NUS has called on the Scottish Government to urgently intervene and work with students’ associations and institutions to ensure every student has a home.

Long term, the students’ union is calling for a student housing strategy and rent controls to improve tenancy rights.

NUS president Matt Crilly said:“There are hundreds of students who’ve returned to college and university only to find they don’t have a place to live because landlords are pricing students out of education with sky high rents.

“It’s deeply concerning that students are being forced to stay in hostels, commute for hours or sofa surf to access their education.

“The Scottish Government must urgently intervene to address the student housing crisis and provide support to students, students’ associations and institutions to ensure no student has to experience homelessness.

“For years students have had to put up with expensive, sub-standard housing dominated by intimidating landlords and without any real rights.

“We need a student housing strategy for Scotland that ensures all students have access to safe, affordable accommodation.”