Four in five students have lived in accommodation that’s ‘unfit for habitation’

Most uni students have lived in accommodation that could be classed as “unfit for habitation” under the Homes Act 2018, according to the findings of a poll by Stint.

Of the 1,000 students who responded to the survey, 83 per cent were found to have lived in accommodation that didn’t meet the standards set out by the law.

University and Colleges Union boss Jo Grady told The Independent: “It is disgraceful that so many students have been forced to live in accommodation that this government’s own legislation would consider unfit for habitation.

“It is, however, unsurprising in an education system that continues to treat students like cash cows, such as during the last academic year, when many were either forced to pay for accommodation they could not use, or were trapped on campus after being promised a normal university experience.”

The survey also found that 41 per cent of students live in properties that have mould or damp, while 19 per cent have a broken smoke alarm.

In spite of this, 20 per cent of students spend the entirety of their maintenance loan on rent.

A government spokesperson said: “It is completely unacceptable for anyone to live in unsafe accommodation – we expect students to enjoy a decent standard of living and university accommodation policies to be fair and transparent.

“We have announced major reforms to support tenants, which will provide greater redress for residents, better regulation, and better-quality homes.”

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