University towns see property markets boosted by students

Students are doing their bit to keep the property markets in university towns buoyant, according to new research.

The Propertyfinder.com study found that student towns such as Oxford and Southampton dominated the June list of property hotspots for both renters and buyers, with Cambridge the most sought-after destination for house hunters.

It recorded a 25% increase in the number of tenants looking for a property in Cambridge in the last month alone, while 16 of the top 20 towns for rental demand in June are also home to universities.

Nicholas Leeming, Director of Propertyfinder.com, commented: 'This is the peak time for sorting out student accommodation. Landlords are looking for new properties and students are looking for somewhere to live.'

Those searching for properties are likely to be looking harder than ever for a bargain this year as Accommodation for Students recently reported that rental costs now account for more than 40% of a student's budget, which rises to 50% for those living in London.