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Influencing accommodation costs on your campus
Jo Goodman, Research and Policy Officer (Student Welfare)Campaigns Staff Network, Newcastle Students’ Union, 17 April 2013
Background
• Recent publication of NUS/Unipol Accommodation Costs Survey showed cost of living in halls has doubled in the past ten years
• NUS Pound in Your Pocket research showed over fifty per cent of students regularly worried about meeting basic living costs such as rent
• Recent decrease in student numbers and increase in private provision may lead to increased competition over price and students can influence this
Accommodation Costs Survey
• Research conducted every 2 – 3 years by NUS and Unipol
• Aimed at institutions and private providers of purpose-built student accommodation (or halls of residence)
• This year’s survey covered around 85 per cent of bed spaces
• There have been huge changes in recent years to:– The level of rent charged– The types of room on offer– Who is providing these rooms
Rising rents: 2006 - 2012
Rising rents: Common room types
Institution Nomination Private
Self catering single
£97.08 £97.05 £98.31
Self catering en suite
£122.81 £119.99 £122.33
Studio £134.40 £160.58 £188.09
Average annual rent across all providers and room types is £5,244.04
Rising rents: By region
Room types on offer
Room types on offer – by provider type
Fees charged – by provider type
Student accommodation choices
Accommodation cost: Impact on financial wellbeing
Of those living in halls, students in quintile 1 are 50 per cent more likely to work over 16 hours per week than those in quintile 5. In the broader sample, they are
21 per cent more likely to work this many hours.
Importance of staff
• To provide continuity and expertise i.e. ability to signpost to NUS research and resources and to give guidance on relevant institutional history
• To develop an understanding of institutional rent-setting processes and key figures
• To ensure that officers understand key dates in the institutional timetable and are able to act swiftly enough to influence
• To ensure that there is some level of sustained engagement in the rent-setting process regardless of officer priorities to improve accountability
Building your case
Welfare case
• Rising faster than student support• Harder for students to find work• Families likely to be under
increased pressure• Can present a barrier to access• Limits choice of students who are
less able to pay• Opportunity to join up with
widening participation strategy• Not all students have access to
bursaries and rent waivers:– e.g. estranged students,
disproportionately likely to affect LGBT students
Business case
• Cost concerns may affect choice of institution
• 59 per cent of international students think accommodation cost is ‘very important’
• Empty bed spaces this year due to decreased student numbers
• More development planned for next year
• Private providers likely to market aggressively
• Returning students likely to be more cost sensitive
Planning your campaign
Analysing the issue
• Investigate rents and rent setting process
• Compare and contrast• Consider diversity of
membership• Consult members
Developing your strategy
• Map stakeholders• Develop your ask• Look beyond headlines• Prepare to compromise• Consider tactics• Think long term
Monitoring and Evaluating
• Plan clear, measurable aims and objectives
• Assess and demonstrate your impact
Key questions to considerIf your institution offers accommodation:• What would a progressive rent structure look like at your institution? • Is the rate at which accommodation costs have risen at your institution in
recent years in line with inflation/student support?• Are you involved in the rent setting process and your institution’s future
development plans?• Which arguments can you utilise with your institutional management to
best effect?
General questions:• What are the obstacles for students in finding affordable accommodation
options at your institution?• How does accommodation choice impact on broader academic
experience?• How might accommodation impact on other costs, such as transport?• How does accommodation impact on the social experience of students?
A few ideas…
• Attend open days and talk to prospective students about their accommodation choices
• An alternative prospectus featuring students’ experiences of accommodation at your institution
• Gather students’ experiences of living in expensive accommodation e.g. Kent case study, #RentAche
• Find out what students like about more affordable accommodation to influence your institution’s future strategy
• Work with your student media
Resources
• Accommodation Costs Survey report• Accommodation Costs Campaigning Guide• www.poundinyourpocket.org.uk• Accommodation costs and financial wellbeing brie
fing• Accommodation Costs Social Policy Briefing
