London digs now ‘beyond price range’ for most students

The cost of student accommodation in London has spiralled by 21 per cent in the past three years, the National Union of Students said.

The thousands of students starting freshers' week today will pay an average of £125.34 a week for a room in a shared house in the capital, compared with a national average of £98.99.

A rise in the number of "luxury" halls of residence is also pushing up prices, and many people are forced to use their entire student loan to pay for accommodation. Just 12 per cent of rents in London are under £90 a week, compared with 89 per cent in the West Midlands and almost 100 per cent in Northern Ireland.

Boris Johnson urged students moving to London to use the "London Rents Map" website to find the cheapest options.

NUS president Aaron Porter said: "For students studying in central London finding accommodation that can be covered by their student loans and grants is more difficult than ever.

"Once again rents have risen markedly across the country. In London in particular, we are seeing rents in excess of £250 per week which are well beyond the price range for most students."

London's latest "luxury" student accommodation is the 31-storey Nido Spitalfields, which can accommodate 1,204 students.

Room prices range from £210 to £330 per week. The building boasts floor to ceiling windows with views over London, free high-speed internet access in rooms, a gym and a "sky lounge" on the 32nd and 33rd floors for parties.

Plans have been announced for a tower block in King's Cross for students, which promises to be the "best student accommodation in London" when it opens in three years' time.

Paul Majendie, journalist and lecturer at City University, said: "University is a great leveller and I think [students from wealthy families] should learn to live like the other half live."

But fellow lecturer Brendan Martin, also from City University, said: "If students have parents who can afford for them to live in luxury, then why not? We will never move on if we keep having the attitude that I suffered so you should too'."

Mr Porter said: "If there is demand for luxurious accommodation, then it is reasonable that it is available, however it's vital that this does not see us losing more basic and affordable accommodation from the sector."

A spokeswoman for Nido Spitalfields said most of the students are from abroad and their parents wanted them to live somewhere very safe.