Accommodation Problems Of International Students:
I have read an article about growing Accommodation problem in Australia which states that landlords prefer to rent their property to singles, second option is married couple. Couple with children is not much preferred and in the last there is a category for students. Obviously, owners won’t rent their property to people who may cause damages easily. International students may not seem to landlord the most attractive tenants usually due to prior bad experience with other students.
Considerable growth in international students number have been noticed in recent days causing demand for accommodation in various cities like Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth to remain high and vacancy rates for all rental property are too low.
Discrimination which make landlord not offering their property to students from certain nationalities also make it tough. Discrimination is not only racial but it can be against whole community of international students, leads to students resorting to other measures to secure housing. Facing group discrimination, international students often rely on help from friends with permanent resident status, who are working full time to sign lease agreements, and provide their own documentation to landlords or estate agents to secure the housing.
Even students who have got accommodation face many problems. Problems can be related to bond lodgment, requirements of rent payments in advance, slow repair of problems, and unfair and illegal fees such as key deposit and cleaning cost. Even students can lodge complaints but hesitate because of some reasons like,
1. Fear of retaliation by accommodation providers that could cost them their visa status.
2. Cultural differences
3. Lack of understanding where to complain or what outcome might be.
4. Belief that nothing can be done so they don’t bother.
5. Lack of time due to pressure such as full time study and part time work commitment.
Not all students suffer these problem but these are certain facts that can’t be underestimated.
