09/09/2026
Why is rent around universities so expensive?
Thousands of comrades across the country are suffering in the hands of rogue landlords. In many universities, students are being overcharged simply because landlords know they have limited options.
To some landlords, students are nothing more than cash-printing machines.
You will find a small single room being rented out at an amount that would get you a much better house elsewhere. Some rooms are poorly ventilated, poorly maintained, unreliable water supply, inadequate security and sometimes even shared toilets and bathrooms yet the rent keeps increasing.
Nowadays, you even find students paying more in rent than they pay in school fees.
University education is becoming expensive every single day. It is no longer just about paying tuition or school fees. A student has to worry about rent, food, internet bundles, learning materials, transport, personal shopping and many other basic needs.
For a student from a financially struggling family, these expenses can become overwhelming. You may have paid your fees, but you still need somewhere to sleep, something to eat, internet to access learning materials and money to travel to and from campus.
The problem becomes worse when universities are located in areas where there is high demand for accommodation. Every year, thousands of new students arrive, creating a ready market for landlords. Some take advantage of this demand and increase rent without improving the quality of their houses.
Other landlords charge students separately for almost everything: rent, water, electricity, garbage collection, security and other "additional" charges. By the time a student calculates the total monthly cost, they are spending far more than they initially expected.
Some students are also forced to pay several months' rent or large deposits before moving in, putting enormous financial pressure on them and their parents or guardians.
And let's not forget the condition of some of these houses. A house being close to campus does not automatically make it worth the price being charged.
Landlords have a right to make a profit, but students also deserve value for their money.
Comrades are already dealing with tuition fees, HELB loans, food, transport, shopping, internet, academic materials and many other expenses. Housing should not become another avenue for exploitation.
Before taking a house, students should compare prices in different areas, ask other students about the landlord, inspect the house properly, confirm water and electricity arrangements, understand all additional charges and, where possible, avoid paying before physically seeing the house.
Student leaders and relevant authorities also need to take the issue of student housing more seriously. Universities cannot simply leave students to deal with housing problems on their own while people take advantage of the desperate demand for accommodation.
A student is not a walking ATM.
If you are charging students high rent, at least give them a decent, safe and habitable place to live.
Why should a university student pay premium rent for a house that looks like it was built for punishment? 😅
Comrades, be careful when choosing where to live. Don't let the excitement of joining university make you sign up for an expensive housing nightmare.
Teacher Ezekiel ❤️
