Internet more important to students than location
Wednesday, 24 August 2011 12:46 PM
For the first time, students have rated good internet access as a higher priority than the location of their home when hunting for university accommodation, a survey has claimed.
According to The National Student Housing Survey (NSHS) 2011, demand for university accommodation remains high, and as a result more private companies are offering properties solely targeted at the student population.
The NSHS said that increased competition between landlords means that those hoping to let their properties to students need to start listening to these consumers or risk losing out to bigger companies.
Landlords, both universities and private, were warned that despite a reputation for partying and sleeping, the modern student’s demands are as high as those of any other tenant.
The survey claimed that the single biggest factor for students was now getting online, with 90 per cent rating high-speed web access as a very important factor.
Value for money came second (85 per cent) and location came in third, with only three-quarters of respondents rating it as ‘very important’.
The biggest problems students claimed to have had with their accommodation were getting repairs done on time, noise levels, and a lack of recycling and environmental facilities.
Tim Daplyn, NSHS project director, said: “Going to university is no longer a right, but something students pay a lot of money to do. They know what they want and they are intelligent enough to make sure they get it.
“Student accommodation remains a thriving business, but those who will continue to succeed in this market will be those who listen to their tenants and respond effectively.”
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