4,000 students, only enough clothes for 20: it’s the Safer Sex Ball 2010 SSB PICTURE SPREAD: CENTRE PAGES
Exeposé
Monday January 24 2011 Issue 574 www.exepose.com
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Manic rush for student houses Photo: Henry White
Henry White Photography Editor
EXETER’S annual ‘housing hunt’ started with the release of the Cardens Estate Agent housing list on Monday December 13. By mid-afternoon on Sunday December 12, a number of students were already queueing outside the office on Longbrook Street to secure a property. James Morrison, a second year Law student, commented from the queue, “Housing is getting worse and worse in Exeter and the Council’s new initiative will make it even harder to get houses.” He explained he was waiting to secure a house before Christmas and was staying overnight to guarantee beating the competition. By 9pm there were roughly 20 people queueing, some with sleeping bags and duvets, with more expected to arrive throughout the night. The Black Horse Public House offered free chips to the students, many of whom were splitting the queue time into shifts with fellow housemates. On Wednesday January 19, the Exeter housing list was released onto the Student Pad website. The list provides information about most of the student properties available in the City, with many being signed for within the first two days. Thousands of students have been competing for houses this January, with as many as 40 viewings per day at some of the most sought after houses. Large queues also formed outside some properties as prospective renters waited for viewings. With the increasing student population and the Council’s proposed plan to block the creation of more student properties in the future, finding housing is increasingly becoming a major concern and looks set to become even more competitive in 2012.
Exeter student queue overnight in freezing temperatures outside Cardens to secure houses for the next academic year.