Sep

London’s foreign and UK student renters return to the market despite Covid fears

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A new wave of overseas and domestic students have ignored COVID fears to look for digs in central London.

Despite concerns that the student market could be heavily impacted this term, estate agent Dexters reports that 1,800 have signed up as potential tenants at its central 12 offices during the last month, with others registering at the company’s network of 70 offices across the capital.

Students make up about 25% of all tenants registering with its city central offices, mainly in Bloombsury and Fitzrovia, South Kensington, Chelsea and Notting Hill.

Marketing director Richard Page says some industry commentators have been anxious about whether the student accommodation market would return due to uncertainties related to Covid such as travel and social distancing, as well as the ongoing lack of clarity around fees for EU students due to the Brexit discussions.

He adds: “Our new Dexters’ London student survey shows that this September the student market has returned in force to the capital’s lettings sector and our findings underline the continuing appeal of London and global confidence in the UK university system and the calibre of courses being offered.”

In the last academic year, more than 372,000 higher education students were living and studying in London, 107,200 of whom were from overseas.

Dexters says their requirements differ widely; youngsters typically pay £200 to £500 per week for one-or two-bedroom flats in Fitzrovia, while Mayfair attracts super-affluent ‘platinum students’ paying between £1,500 to £3,000 a week for air conditioning, underfloor heating, an on-site gym and CCTV security.

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