Demand for Student Accommodation

The demand for a place at the University of Johannesburg is at an all-time high; with queues of people trying to apply recently blocking the road and getting to and from campus was never more difficult.

As a result, more and more people are looking for student accommodation close to Johannesburg’s main university campuses. Thousands more students are registering at tertiary institutions in Johannesburg and they’re battling to find accommodation.

“Student population growth has far outstripped the supply of available rooms, making it difficult to find quality accommodation at affordable prices,” says Simon Rubin, marketing director of Aengus Property Management (APM), an inner-city developer renowned for turning defunct buildings into up market accommodation.

The problem is so critical in fact, that the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Bonginkosi Nzimande, has established a committee to review the provision of student housing at public universities.

The minister said current student housing in residences provides for about 100 000 out of a student population of 530 000. This means just under 20% of students, nationally, will be able to find accommodation on campuses.

“Off-campus providers are cropping up but students are becoming more discerning,” says Rubin. “Although they demand value for money for accommodation, they are no longer prepared to accept low-quality accommodation with limited amenities, just because they are studying.”

“The ideal student accommodation should provide a private space for studying as well as opportunities for socialising and getting together with friends. Our developments also take into account that it’s important for students to live somewhere that is conveniently situated for day-to-day activities such as lectures, sport and socialising, as well as routine necessities such as shopping and doing laundry,” he says.

Rubin advises corporates to move quickly if they are looking for top-notch accommodation for bursary students attending the Johannesburg Universities and colleges.

“Demand always outstrips supply. With our main rental thrust taking place in January and February, I would advise anyone seeking affordable, up market alternatives to traditional student accommodation, to get onto waiting lists as soon as possible.”