YUSU have successfully fought the University’s proposed price increases for accommodation next year.
The University were originally planning to raise non-catered accommodation by 5.7 per cent, catered accommodation by 8.7 per cent and not raise the cost of studio flats at all.
Following YUSU’s successful campaign, there will now be a 5 per cent flat increase (in line with inflation) across all accommodation and studio flats are reducing in price by 9 per cent (they have previously proved notoriously hard to let due to the price). The proposed 5.7 per cent increase for standard accommodation was in line with inflation, while the 8.7 per cent increase was well above inflation.
Vice-Chancellor for Students Jane Grenville explained that “last year the catered services were subsidised. To pay for the ongoing accommodation renovations on Heslington West campus, we have to stop subsidising the food service, which is why the prices have gone up above inflation.”
YUSU President, Tim Ellis told Vision: “I am extremely pleased that the University has listened to student concerns about the huge hike in accommodation prices that was originally planned for next year. After various consultations with the university they have agreed to lower the increase below inflation in order to make it more affordable and fairer for students.
“I would urge the University to ensure that the high rents that students are expected to pay are matched by a good quality service across the board. I will continue consulting with the University on how we can keep costs down as much as possible for students, particularly in light of £9,000 fees next year.”
The University have also committed to leaving 505 rooms available for returning 2nd and 3rd year undergraduates and have agreed to run 51-week lets from July to July instead of October to October to fit with the private sector. This prevents students being required to make two simultaneous rent payments through summer. There will also be 41-week lets available this year for similar reasons.
As soon as the rent increase was proposed, Ellis made his concerns known to both Grenville and the University Registrar, David Duncan. Ellis persuaded them that the price hikes were far too high, especially considering the numerous problems that some of the University accommodation had been experiencing, and the introduction of Article Four which was passed by York City Council, as reported by Vision.
The Article Four Direction requires that, in future, landlords will require planning permission and an HMO license to convert an ordinary house into one for multiple occupancy. This, combined with the rising number of students being accepted into the University, may result in increased rental prices in sought-after areas. Residents had complained about University students beginning to take over local areas as more houses were being converted.
The University had been criticised for not offering enough accommodation for the growing number of students, forcing them out into local communities such as Badger Hill and Heslington Village. When the original rent increases were proposed, Ellis stated: “We [the University] should be encouraging affordable rooms on campus, for all first years, and some second and third years, not pricing them out. I would urge the Senior Management Group to reconsider the implications of such a price rise.”
Full accommodation pricing details are available on the University website.