Jesmond has long been in the heart of Newcastle’s student community, but for those renting in the area the experience is often far from idyllic. With a growing housing shortage, skyrocketing rents and properties with poor living conditions, the student housing crisis in Jesmond is a pressing issue that shows little signs of easing.
Competing for Substandard Housing
Housing demand in Jesmond far exceeds supply, creating a fiercely competitive market where students have to act quickly – or risk being left without accommodation. Properties are often signed for without a proper viewing, and students feel pressure to accept whatever is available.
Kenzie McWilliam, a third year Sociology student at Newcastle University, recalls viewing a house this year that epitomised the problem. “There was mould on the walls, and one girl had even moved her bed to get away from water dripping from the ceiling.”
“We obviously said no to signing that house, but that was so stressful as we knew how quickly you have to get your house now. Some of the group considered signing it and hoping the landlord fixed the issues.”
With few alternatives, students feel forced to accept properties they wouldn’t tolerate under less pressure – a trade-off between having somewhere to live and living somewhere habitable.
High Prices, Low Standards
The rent prices in Jesmond reflect its popularity, ranging from £120 to up to £200 per week, often excluding bills. For students, this is a huge portion of their budget, yet the quality of housing often fails to justify the cost. Common complaints include mould, faulty heating, broken appliances and pest infestations.
Despite the high rent this does not mean the properties ensure basic maintenance. In many cases, students report that landlords either delay addressing issues or neglect them altogether.
Arianne Constance, a third year student tenant, shared her frustration “We were left without a washing machine for two weeks. The landlord didn’t bother sending an official mechanic and kept trying to fix it himself. I had to threaten to stop paying my rent before anything was done.”
Such disregard for tenants is not uncommon. Students often feel landlords prioritise profits over providing habitable homes, leaving tenants to manage repairs themselves or endure prolonged discomfort.
“While we were having these issues, they kept showing potential next year tenants around our house. It was clear the estate agents didn’t care about us at all”, Arianne added.
Deposit Disputes
For many students, the frustrations of renting don’t end when they move out. Disputes over deposits are a common issue, with students often charged for damages or repairs they didn’t cause – or that landlords fail to fix before the next tenants move in.
William Reed, a fourth year student, was left out of pocket after his tenancy ended. “They took hundreds of pounds out of our deposit for supposed repairs and cleaning, but when I went round to speak to the new tenants, none of it had been fixed. It’s completely a joke,” he explained.
A Broken System
The issues in Jesmond’s housing market reflect bigger problems in the wider private rental sector. Rising rents, minimal regulation, and a lack of enforcement around maintenance standard leave tenants with little recourse when things go wrong.
Caspar Bainbridge, a part-time estate agent acknowledges the problem. “The demand for student housing in these areas is often so high that landlords don’t feel the pressure to go above the bare minimum. Students can often sign contracts for properties they wouldn’t accept if the market wasn’t so competitive.”
Newcastle University Students’ Union are calling for greater accountability. Campaigns like Rate Your Landlord encourage students to share their experiences, while housing services offer advice and support for resolving disputes.
How Students can Protect Themselves
In the meantime until further action is taken, students can take steps to safeguard themselves in the rental market:
- Document Everything: Take photos of the property’s condition when you move in and keep a record of all correspondence with landlords.
- Understand Your Rights: Familiarise yourself with your rights as a tenant so you know when a landlord isn’t meeting their legal obligations.
- Seek Support: Use resources like Newcastle University’s Advice Centre to help resolve disputes and queries.
The Big Picture
The student housing crisis in Jesmond is beyond difficult. The area might have the buzz, the pubs and perfect location, but when it comes to housing, it’s clear many students are being shortchanged. From overpriced rents to landlords who seem to care more about profits than providing livable homes, its a system that leaves students frustrated and out of pocket. Jesmond has the potential to be more than just a postcode students tolerate for a year or two – it should feel like home. Until the housing market improves, though, it’s hard to ignore how much needs to change.
