NUS Wales and Shelter Cymru are working together to shine a light on this issue and show why the Welsh Government and housing providers need to work to #FixStudentHousing.

We all know that the places we live have a fundamental impact on our day-to-day lives. Living in a house or flat that is unsafe, cramped, expensive, or all of the above, takes its toll on people’s health, wellbeing and quality of life. But for too long, sub-par housing has been the reality for students across Wales. All too often students feel powerless to challenge their landlords on issues with their housing, while more and more students are struggling to afford even the most basic accommodation. Student housing has always been a byword for low quality, high costs and unscrupulous landlords, and the myth that students should just put up with shoddy housing as some sort of NUS Wales and Shelter Cymru are working together to shine a light on this issue and show why the Welsh Government and housing providers need to work to #FixStudentHousing. ‘rite of passage’ is extremely damaging to students’ wellbeing and academic outcomes. Just think about it - whether you’re studying right now or you graduated years ago - we’re sure that you’ve got at least one student housing horror story. At least one broken appliance that was never fixed, one hole in the wall or ceiling from damp, one pest infestation that was never sorted. This campaign is all about getting people talking about student housing and showing that we can do so much better. Students deserve to live in housing which protects their wellbeing and allows them to flourish in all aspects of their lives and studies.

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Broken Foundations:

Fix Student Housing

NUS Wales and Shelter Cymru surveyed hundreds of students at universities across Wales about their student housing experiences. We’ve published a report on our findings which includes recommendations on how to make student housing better.

Conducted in May and June 2021, the survey’s findings clearly demonstrate the multitude of issues students face and the need to #FixStudentHousing. The system is broken at the foundations and rather than protecting students, it often works against them.

This report represents the first part of a collaborative project between NUS Wales and Shelter Cymru. We will also publish a report later in the 2021/22 academic year on the legislative and regulatory landscape of the student housing sector.

Report Recommendations

1. All students must have the same rights and protections regardless of where they live

2. All students must be able to hold their landlords to account

3. All students must be able to afford to live in safe and healthy housing