Student Accomodation

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EXPERT INSIGHT

International students commonly share bedrooms so they can afford the rent. What is perhaps much more surprising is that our research suggests thousands are “<a href="https://www.apia.org.nz/apia-blog/hot-bedding-what-landlords-need-to-know">hot-bedding</a>” – their beds are available to them for only some hours of the day or night so others can use them the rest of the time. If <a href="https://internationalstudentsandhousing.files.wordpress.com/2020/09/international-students-and-housing-survey-report-final-report.pdf">our survey</a> of more than 7,000 international students renting privately in Sydney and Melbourne is representative of the <a href="https://internationaleducation.gov.au/research/international-student-data/Documents/MONTHLY%20SUMMARIES/2019/Dec%202019%20MonthlyInfographic.pdf">758,154 international students</a> in Australia in December 2019, this equates to about 22,750 students hot-bedding.

In our survey, 3% of all students answered yes to the question, “Do you have to hotbed (i.e. our bed is only available for a few hours of the day/night)?”. The survey also found about four in ten of these hot-bedding students were going without meals. And this was before <a href="https://theconversation.com/no-one-would-even-know-if-i-had-died-in-my-room-coronavirus-leaves-international-students-in-dire-straits-144128">nearly two-thirds of international students</a> lost their jobs in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Another extraordinary finding is that 14% of hot-bedders said their employer had threatened them with visa cancellation (compared to 2% of non-hot-bedders). One in five (20%, compared to 5% of non-hot-bedders) answered yes when asked: “Has the landlord/real estate agent/property manager ever taken away your passport?”

These findings suggest a sizeable proportion of hot-bedders are struggling financially and in a vulnerable situation. Many said their circumstances were having a negative impact on their studies.

Despite this, almost eight in ten agreed or strongly agreed that they “enjoy living and studying in Australia”.

Who are the hot-bedders?

In our survey, 45% of hot-bedders were female. Just under two-thirds (65%) were university students, rather than studying at vocational or English language colleges.

Hot-bedding was spread across all age groups and countries of origin. Thus 4% were aged 18, a quarter were 19 to 21, 42% were 22 to 25, 18% were 26 to 30 and 11% were over 30.

Just under a third came from low-income countries, half came from middle-income countries and 15% from high-income countries.

How do they feel about rent costs?

Hot-bedders were generally satisfied with their rent – 23% disagreed with the statement, “I think the rent I pay is fair.”

However, one in two (51%) strongly agreed or agreed they worried about paying rent each week (compared to 35% for non-hot-bedders) and only 21% (36% non-hot-bedders) disagreed.

Most students (58%) living less than 40 minutes away from their education provider paid more than $250 a week in rent.

About four in ten hot-bedders agreed they “go without necessities like food so I can pay for my accommodation” and had failed to make a rent payment because of a lack of funds. The rates for students who didn’t hot-bed were two in ten.

Almost half (48%) of hot-bedders agreed concern about paying the rent was having a negative impact on their studies.

How do they view their accommodation?

Despite having to hot-bed, just under eight in ten (78%) of these students said they were satisfied or very satisfied with the home they are renting.

Just over seven in ten (72%) agreed with the statement, “The home I rent is suitable for my needs.” Only 7% disagreed.

Only one in ten hot-bedders agreed the person they rent from did not keep the property well-maintained.

Just over one in four (27%) hot-bedders felt their home was overcrowded compared to 12% of non-hot-bedders.

The cramped situation appeared to have a negative impact on their academic work. About one in three (35%) agreed or strongly agreed that “the condition of my accommodation has a negative impact on my studies”, compared to 13% of those who didn’t hot-bed.

Remarkably, just under one in four (23%) hot-bedding students answered “yes” when asked if the “balcony of the property is used as a bedroom”, compared to 5% of students who did not hot-bed. A similar percentage of hot-bedders (and 4% of non-hot-bedders) said the garage is used as a bedroom.

How secure do they feel?

Most hot-bedders reported they had a good relationship with their landlord or real estate agent. Only 6% said it was “bad” or “not very good”.

Close to half (45%) of hot-bedders said the person they pay rent to lives in the same accommodation. It’s unclear whether this is the actual landlord, or a person who sub-lets the property.

Two in three hot-bedders sensed they “could stay in this rental property as long as they want to”. Despite the seemingly good relationship of most hot-bedders with their landlord, just under one in three agreed that if they “complain about the standards of the property and maintenance problems [they] might be asked to leave”.

Although maintenance did not seem to be a major issue, just under four in ten hot-bedders agreed they were concerned the rent might be increased if they did ask for repairs. And 38% were anxious they “might be told to leave [their] property and be given a short time to leave”.

When asked, “In the last year, have you ever felt that you could become homeless?”, 37% answered yes. This compares to 17% of non-hot-bedders.

Just under four in ten hot-bedders agreed or strongly agreed that “stress around the possibility of losing my accommodation is affecting my academic studies”.

What is their employment status?

Half of the students who hot-bed had paid work at the time of the survey and of those employed 48% reported that their landlord employed them, compared to 17% of the other students in paid work.

A large proportion felt they were poorly paid and their job was insecure. Less than half of the hot-bedders felt they were well-paid. Only one in four disagreed with the statement, “My current job is insecure.”

Just over eight in ten said losing their job would cause them financial difficulties.

Financial stress is widespread

The chart below shows eight measures of financial stress adapted from the Australia Bureau of Statistics. We added an item on affordability of textbooks.

On every measure students who hot-bed were two to three times more likely to have answered yes to the question, indicating financial stress. Perhaps the most alarming statistic is that 39% of hot-bedders went without meals. So did 20% of non-hot-bedders.

One in ten hot-bedders suffered from all eight indicators of financial stress. A worrying 34% of hot-bedders reported five or more indicators of financial stress. Only 9% of non-hot-bedders reported five stress indicators. Less than one in 100 endured all eight.

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/alan-morris-13337">Alan Morris</a>, Professor, Institute of Public Policy and Governance, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-technology-sydney-936">University of Technology Sydney</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/catherine-hastings-1144685">Catherine Hastings</a>, Assistant Researcher, Institute for Public Policy and Governance, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-technology-sydney-936">University of Technology Sydney</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/gaby-ramia-796813">Gaby Ramia</a>, Associate Professor in Public Policy, Department of Government and International Relations, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>

This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/as-one-student-gets-out-of-bed-another-gets-in-thousands-are-hot-bedding-in-australia-156589">original article</a>.

<h2>Here are some listings you may like:</h2>

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27575]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3490]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3783]
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In a survey, 3% of all students answered yes to the question, “Do you have to hotbed (i.e. our bed is only available for a few hours of the day/night)?”

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As one student gets out of bed, another gets in: thousands are 'hot-bedding' in Australia

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With apartments in student markets more affordable than ever, due to retreating investor interest, now may be the time to secure a home that could be a strong performing long-term investment.

The University of New South Wales (UNSW), one of the top universities in Australia, has a student population of 65,000 and is located in Sydney’s south-eastern suburb of Kensington.

Urban takes a look at five apartments perfect for students nearby UNSW, ideal for scholars and academics, high-income postgraduates and investors.

1. The Laneways, Rosebery 
Address: 33-37 Mentmore Avenue, Rosebery NSW 2018 
One-bedroom apartments from $592,800

[smartcode_project:default project_id=24323]

Just 2.6 kilometres from UNSW, Ellerson Property’s the Laneways provides inner-city living with luxury features and architectural design.

Located within close proximity to Green Square transport hub and approximately six kilometres from the Sydney CBD, the home provides great investment options with potential homebuyers including mobile professionals, creatives and families.

The chic home includes residents-only car charging bays, a rooftop garden terrace and district views. 
 

2. Orchid, Eastgardens 
Address: 9 Oscar Place, Eastgardens NSW 2036 
One-bedroom apartments from $695,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29389]

Farther from the university but still enjoying convenience for students and academics, Orchid is part of Meriton’s latest development.

The final first stage offering in the masterplanned Pagewood Green, Orchid boasts 256 oversized apartments across four buildings.

Just 3.1 kilometres from UNSW’s Kensington campus, Maroubra Beach and the Sydney CBD, this development provides a residential oasis.

Designed by PTW, the community includes podium gardens, a retail precinct and outdoor entertaining spaces. 
 

3. Eminence, Zetland 
Address: 811 Elizabeth Street, Zetland NSW 2017 
One-bedroom apartments from $745,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=21882]

Offering a remarkable boutique trio of buildings, commanding four street frontages between Green Square and the CBD, Eminence meets the criteria of a strong investment property.

Including onsite retail, 1,840 sqm of lush podium gardens and a 75-place childcare centre, Eminence brings all the necessary amenities to your doorstep.

Delivered by Meriton and designed by DKO Architecture, the property also offers pools, open-air training facilities and playgrounds. 
 

4. Pagewood Green, Eastgardens 
Address: 130-150 Bunnerong Road, Eastgardens NSW 2036 
Two-bedroom apartments from $815,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13861]

The multi-staged masterplan development, Pagewood Green, provides diverse layouts for the lifestyle of any homebuyer.

Positioned opposite an upcoming 8,000 sqm park and neighbouring Westfield Eastgardens, the convenient home delivers exceptional amenity within walking distance and is just 17 minutes from UNSW by bus. 
 

5. Polo Collection, Rosebery 
Address: 55 Rothschild Avenue, Rosebery NSW 2018 
One-bedroom apartments from $710,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7588]

Set amongst tree-lined streets and only 2.4 kilometres from the Kensington campus, Polo Collection pays homage to Rosebery’s industrial past while providing residents with a residence of the future.

Developed by Meriton, the project connects residents to the Sydney CBD, Green Square and the harbour as one of the city’s most connected inner-city suburbs.

Designed by SJB, the homes boast a modern and distinctive style, with floor-to-ceiling glass, expansive floorplans and views over Sweetacres Park.  
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With apartments in student markets more affordable than ever, due to retreating investor interest, now may be the time to secure a home that could be a strong performing long-term investment

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Five apartments under $900k close to UNSW in Sydney's Kensington

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The NSW Government’s planning system acceleration program has fast-tracked approval on a $64 million construction project in Redfern.
Located in the heart of the suburb, the new 18-storey building will be home to more than 400 students and create 240 construction jobs, said Minister for planning and public spaces Rob Stokes.
The building will include Aboriginal artwork and creative open public spaces.
“This is another example of a major shovel ready project being given fast-tracked approval to keep the NSW economy ticking throughout the pandemic,” Stokes said.
The Redfern development is one of 11 projects in the sixth tranche of the NSW Government’s acceleration program.
To date, the program has created more than 50,000 direct job opportunities.
As the NSW Government steers to make affordable student accommodation a priority, many projects are popping up in the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/redfern-nsw?utm_source=PropertyObserver">Redfern area</a>.
In June, Singapore-based developer <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/wee-hur-holdings-ltd?utm_source=PropertyObserver" target="_blank">Wee Hur Holdings</a> announced plans to create its second student accommodation facility in Redfern. 
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