Students in Lincoln are forking out over 27% more for their rented accommodation than non-students living in similar housing, according to new research.
Undergraduates in the city are charged an average of £84.02 per person per week (pppw) by landlords for privately rented housing, with the average rental price in the city being £65.84 – 27.61% less.
Only Loughborough (36.08%) and Durham (31.84%) charge higher student premiums on average.
By contrast, the UK-wide research, conducted by student housing search website StuRents, suggests that students in the south of England are enjoying accommodation at a discount compared to the prices paid by locals in the same areas.
For example, students in Reading are paying an average of £80.78 pppw for accommodation in areas where the overall average price is £132.75 pppw – a discount of 39.2%.
Undergraduates in Oxford also enjoy a 32.63% discount on housing compared with non-students.
Tom Walker, Co-Founder of StuRents.com said: “In towns and cities where the mainstream rental market suffers from upwards pressure as a result of a burgeoning demand from young professionals and out-of-reach house prices, the student rental sector seems to trade at a discount to the market average.
“Conversely, the general consensus in the northern half of England seems to be that students represent a more premium demographic, and rental prices are adjusted upwards to accommodate this.”
The University of Lincoln Students’ Union and letting agents Lighthouse and Loc8me were contacted but declined to comment.