Leeds’ Flood of New Student Accommodation: Worth the Hype or Just More Overpriced Options?

Recent residential development plans for Leeds forecast the Core shopping centre to be demolished to make way for 807 student bedrooms— yes, another student accommodation. Let’s break down if it’s worth the hype or just another excuse to drain your student loan.

The Core replacement, to be known as ‘Garnet Exchange’, is predicted to feature a mix of retail and arcade on the ground level, as well as low-energy ventilation and lighting. That’s about it on the positives; let’s move to the downsides.

The construction director at Venture Group promises ‘excellent focused study spaces’ as part of the scheme. However, as exciting as this sounds, are we sure that student apartments being placed above 36,500 sq ft of retail and commercial space will allow for the arrangement of focused study spaces?

More importantly, Leeds is filled with more and more student accommodation properties every year. As one of the most student-dominant cities in the UK, one might say, the growing demand almost calls for it. However, we can already recognise 50-60 student halls across the city at the moment. Do we need more? 

The flood of student accommodations appears to be a Leeds City Council initiative to lure students away from the areas with cheaper student properties like Headingley and Hyde Park back into the centre. More halls in the heart of the city could allow for more houses to be freed up in those areas to make them livable for families and non-students again. However, with the predicted fees for these new properties, this plan does not stand a chance. 

The reason why one could question the affordability of new accommodation is the price of the ones that are already occupied. Rent levels across Leeds range from £90 to £300 per week, with the average at around £140. The fees for new properties, however, tend to be exorbitant. A standard en-suite room at one of the new residences, Trinity Hall, for example, could set you back over £295 per week.

No wonder the scheme has spiked major disapproval and prompted debate across Leeds— the majority of the new accommodations built in Leeds will likely be unaffordable. Further, the new halls are also starting to replace shops and important parts of the infrastructure, with the Core serving as a good example. Not only that, but the university-owned residences have increased in price incredibly over the years. 

One example is Carlton Hill, a newly constructed accommodation in Woodhouse. Vanshika, a second-year student staying at Carlton Hill, explains: “Rent is my primary expense, and I can only live comfortably because of my job. I can’t imagine how challenging it must be for students who don’t have a job, as they likely face much more financial strain”.

Vanshika’s weekly rent comes to £184, which displays an increase compared to last year’s £177. She declares the recent rent increase ‘unjustifiable’, given that “the amenities offered remain unchanged from last year”. She adds: “Having lived here previously, I see no improvements that would warrant such a hike”.

Vanshika’s experience is but a mere speck in the sea of complaints from Leeds students on the affordability of student accommodation. Further, one cannot bypass the chorus of objections from permanent residents on the lack of appropriate housing for non-students. While we can acknowledge the significant contribution of Leeds’ student accommodation to the city’s economy, all this prompts a need for a method to provide funding for other properties and transport systems around Leeds to ensure the well-being of all citizens.

Words by Katya Keyzerova

Cover Image Credit: Rob Oo Via Flickr