According to the data, 25% more students were searching online for accommodation in June versus the same month last year after the typical student ‘house-hunting’ season was thrown into chaos following the outbreak of COVID-19.
The surge of interest in student accommodation comes as UCAS predicts a record number of students are expected to get a university place through clearing this year to help offset any fall in overseas students because of coronavirus. This is good news for student landlords, most of which have remained in the sector and taken advantage of the mortgage relief.
Simon Thompson, Director of AFS says there has been a huge surge of activity in the last six weeks.
He explains: “Students are now eagerly making plans to return to University. Although it’s likely that more lectures will be carried out virtually, students still want to maintain that freedom and sense of independence they get from living away from home and would prefer to be living with friends as opposed to their parents and siblings! Enquiries for shared houses have been notably higher, suggesting students are perhaps opting to live with a small group of friends in a house, because it offers both indoor and outdoor space and less student interaction than PBSA (Purpose Build Student Accommodation).”
"A-level results day is going to be big this year. Students have been pre-informed that grades are expected to be higher and that could make all the difference for some people in getting into a first choice university.
"Several UK universities are now considering putting flights on to ensure International students can make it this September. A change in postgraduate study visas also makes it possible for International students to stay for 2-3 years and work in the UK, this makes the decision to come to the UK to study even more appealing.”
