‘It’s a constant battle’: Warwick students face housing ‘crisis’ as future of ‘lifeline’ Whitefields is under threat

Warwick students are among hundreds of thousands across the country facing some of the most ‘unprecedented’ housing challenges on record.

That’s according to a recent survey by Save the Student. The website claims that 64% of UK university students are struggling with the cost of rent, and 2/5 have considered dropping out of university altogether because of soaring accommodation costs.

At the start of this academic year, The Boar reported that Warwick’s on-campus accommodation costs increased by an average of 6%. The maximum maintenance loan threshold at the time had increased by only 2.8%, leaving many Warwick students financially worse off.

Recently, Martin Blakey, former Chief Executive of student housing charity Unipol, proposed that UK universities build smaller, more affordable accommodation to reduce rent prices.

However, the University of Warwick appears to be going in the opposite direction. The Boar understands that plans to demolish Whitefields, Warwick’s cheapest on-campus accommodation block, have progressed, and it’s set to be uninhabited as early as September next year.

“I’d urge the University to keep Whitefields because it’s a real lifeline for students who need affordable accommodation in this housing crisis.”

Jaden, first-year Maths student

Jaden, a first-year maths student, is eager to defend Whitefields. “It’s far from perfect, but it’s by far the most affordable option for someone like me,” he explains. 

“I can’t afford the luxury of choosing more expensive accommodation. Living here gives me a chance to focus on my studies without constantly worrying about rent.”

“Disturbed” by rumours that Whitefields may soon become a thing of the past, he added: “I’d urge the University to keep Whitefields because it’s a real lifeline for students who need affordable accommodation in this housing crisis.”

Whitefields, Warwick’s cheapest on-campus accommodation, is set to be uninhabited from September next year (Image: Martin Day / The Boar)

Warwick’s accommodation issues also extend off-campus. Many students are being left strapped for cash as private landlords continue to raise rent prices. 

Sam, a third-year economics student, lives on Ranelagh Terrace in Leamington Spa. He’s had to take up a second job this year to cover higher rent prices. “It’s a constant battle trying to make ends meet while the rents are skyrocketing,” he told The Boar.

“I like this flat and I live with my mates, the same as in my second year. It’s a nice flat with good people, but I seriously had to consider moving elsewhere this year because the prices are getting ridiculous now.

“At the end of the day, it’s a constant grind. Trying to find a balance between buying the basics and, well, actually living.”

It’s not just soaring rent prices that Warwick students are struggling with. In a poll sent out to over 200 students, by far the most pressing issue Warwick students face is damp and mould.

“Obviously where you have damp, you have mould too, which has been nothing short of a nightmare.”

Taylor Green, second-year Politics and Sociology student

Taylor Green is a second-year politics and sociology student. He’s been having trouble with damp from the first day he moved into his four-bedroom house on Charter Avenue, Canley.

Taylor says his house on Charter Avenue is ‘plagued’ by ‘persistent’ mould issues (Image: Taylor Green)

“My landlord keeps making empty promises and takes far too long to address anything we report as damaged or leaking,” he says.

“In heavy rain, water starts dripping from the ceiling, and our fence is barely held together by a makeshift wooden block.

“Obviously where you have damp, you have mould too, which has been nothing short of a nightmare.”

While respondents to The Boar’s poll spoke relatively highly of the living arrangements on-campus, over 80% strongly agreed that on-campus accommodation is ‘not good value for money’. 

The demolition of Whitefields means that for the first time ever, Warwick’s cheapest on-campus accommodation block will cost over £100 per week. The Boar understands that from September, the cheapest on-campus accommodation will be Rootes, and will set students back £123 per week – a 6.5% increase on this year.

In response to these findings, a spokesperson for the University of Warwick reiterated a previous statement issued to The Boar:

“Unfortunately, we have had to take the difficult decision to increase our accommodation prices as a result of rising costs.

“The University’s average unit cost of both gas and electricity tripled in October 2022, with heat and power, alongside other utilities, included in the price of our campus accommodation. Building maintenance and staffing costs have also risen, as inflation hit its highest level for a generation.

“We have worked hard to minimise the price increase by absorbing some of these additional costs ourselves. This represents a significant cost to the University.

“We provide a wide range of accommodation options and ladder of prices to meet different student needs. However, we are very aware of the impact these costs will have on some of our students and their families.”

Warwick Students’ Union (SU) says it is ‘committed’ to providing support for students struggling with their living arrangements, and support is available on their website here.

(This article has been updated since featuring in our print edition to reflect the real stories of Warwick students)