Ask most students about the house hunt and you’ll get the same reaction: a sigh, a groan, maybe a story about a landlord who never fixed the heating. For a lot of Exeter students, finding somewhere to live is one of the most stressful parts of university. Whether you're searching for the first time or figuring out where you’ll live next year, it’s a pressure that resurfaces every single year.
What you told us about your housing experiences
We appreciate that housing is one of the biggest issues affecting students at Exeter, so we went straight to the source to give us a clear picture of what students are up against. Through our Survey Superheroes research, we asked students about their experiences, from cost of renting to the quality of their homes.
Cost came up time and time again as the biggest pressure. Renting in Exeter isn’t cheap (the average student is paying £709 a month), and for many students the monthly outgoings, rent, bills utilities, add up to a real stretch. Nearly half of students told us cost is their number one priority when choosing where to live.
But it’s not only about the money. Quality can be a key concern as well. Too many students are living in homes that simply aren’t up to scratch, damp, mould and maintenance problems that just don’t get resolved. Only 60% of students told us their home was free from health hazards like mould, and as one student put it: “Mould is literally in every student house I’ve been to.” What’s striking is that paying more doesn't necessarily mean a better home, it’s something that students across all price points are dealing with.
Then there’s the search itself. For a lot of students, especially first years, the whole process feels overwhelming. Knowing where to look, what to look out for, what your rights are: it’s a lot to take on, often when you’re still finding your feet in a new city or settling back into the year. Only 53% of students told us they feel confident they’ll find somewhere good that they can afford next year – and that’s something we want to change.
What your elected Officers are working on
Your Student Living Officer, Kira, and the rest of the Officer team have been working hard on tackling housing issues throughout this year. Taking what students have told us and pushing for meaningful change at every level, from university campaigns to city planning.
Making on campus accommodation more affordable
Working alongside students from Grand Challenges 2025, Kira has been digging into how on-campus accommodation is allocated, and how the system could better support students who are struggling financially. This means looking at how priority is given, so the most affordable options actually reach people who need them the most. Some of this work is long-term, with potential changes coming into effect for 2027-28, but the goal is real and lasting improvement.
Making the search less overwhelming
Students told us they want a clearer starting points, somewhere that brings together listings, guidance, and advice all in one place, rather than having to piece it together from Rightmove, Student Pad, Facebook groups and agency websites. Officers are actively exploring how to make that happen.
Making sure you know your rights
Too many students don't know what they're entitled to as tenants, and that puts them at a real disadvantage. In fact, while 76% of students feel confident spotting red flags when searching for a property, far fewer feel equipped to know what to do once they're in one. Kira and Officers are working with the Advice and Insights team on campus to change that. The timing is intentional: with the new Renters’ Rights Act coming into law on 1 May, this is the perfect moment to make sure every student knows what the law says and how to use it.
Pushing for better options across the city
Many students are being priced out of purpose-built student accommodation, but council restrictions on HMO conversions are making it harder to access shared housing as an alternative, pushing students into a market that doesn't always work for them. Kira and Seb have submitted a response to the Exeter Plan on PBSA, prioritising accessibility and affordability to make sure any new accommodation truly reflects what students need. And this is something Kira and Seb will continue to engage with the council as it progresses.
This is only the start. We'll continue to use your experiences to lobby the University and local partners to improve housing support - so every student has access to safe, secure accommodation.
Seb, Kira, Rose, Gemma and Francis [Your 2025-26 Elected Officers]