Student housing prices in York are rising exponentially.
36% have thought about dropping out of university due to the cost of rent.
Many university students in York are struggling to afford a suitable place to live.
The Coal Yard is a popular, private student accommodation for first years who are studying in York.
Some feel let down though by the expensive price they pay, as issues in the building “took weeks to fix”.
The accommodation promises to ‘make sure that your needs are met promptly and efficiently with commitment to your wellbeing.’
Recently the students living inside the accommodation say they have faced problems with lack of hot water, heating, missing hoovers, and broken key cards.
19 year old Yusuf Khan is an international, first year student at York St John University and lives in The Coal Yard.
Yusuf says : “even after having to take a cold shower, the heating still wasn’t working.”
“If I had known prior about the many issues in my accommodation, I wouldn’t have chosen it.”
Additionally, after the Christmas holidays some students say they arrived back to their flat to missing facilities such as the hoover.
The Coal Yard has since tackled these issues, after multiple students reported similar problems in their flat.
The Yorkie have approached The Coal Yard for comment but by the time of publishing have yet to receive a response.
The 2022 Save The Student! survey states that 65% of respondents in England felt that student housing was good value for money, dropping to 59% in 2023.
What action has taken place about York’s housing issue?
York ranks as the third most expensive city for student accommodation in the UK.
Last month, York MP Rachael Maskell spoke in Parliament about the extortionate housing prices in York.
She said: “student loan doesn’t even cover the cost of living in our city, because housing is so expensive.”
“It doesn’t even meet the need now.”
Residents of York say they are worried with the increase of cost of living, especially students.
Some students pay for private accommodation and expect better quality facilities.
Students focused on finding cheaper housing may overlook the quality of their living situation. It means they wouldn’t have to use all of their maintenance grant, but instead can try to enjoy student life a bit more.
However, York St John University has a facility called The Student Hub which can assist students finding reliable and affordable student accommodation.
The YSJ accommodation team is available to students 0900 – 1700 on Monday to Thursdays, and 0900 – 1630 on Fridays.
The team can assist students by giving them advice about any problems or questions they may face with their current student housing.
Yusuf says: “I hope something changes soon , so students similar to me won’t have to feel anxious about the increase of housing prices across York.”
