International students have told openDemocracy how impossible demands from landlords have left them living in hostels and asking friends for help.
Overseas students contribute billions to the UK’s economy but some universities and colleges do not have dedicated halls of residence for them, while those that do are often oversubscribed – forcing students to turn to the unregulated private rental market.
Neehal Bajwa, vice-president for liberation and equality at the National Union of Students (NUS), says issues facing international students include finding a UK guarantor or paying six months’ rent upfront. Both options can be difficult and expensive, and sometimes a student may be faced with the high costs of living in a hotel while they look for long-term accommodation.
