Following the trend set by a number of UK universities, Aberystwyth University will be launching a Rent a Room Scheme on Wednesday 1st June 2011, to assist students in finding accommodation within the town.
The scheme encourages University staff to make use of spare rooms within their homes by offering them to students. To ensure that the rooms offered by staff meet with the requirements of students in terms of furniture and equipment, the University is offering an interest free loan to staff.
Whilst the Rent a Room scheme has been on offer to some postgraduate and part time / short term students in the past, the University is now expanding the scheme to full time students.
Jim Wallace, Head of Residential and Hospitality Services said: “We recognise that, due to the popularity of the University, there are unprecedented calls for accommodation within the private sector this year. At the same time, we are aware that a number of staff have rooms available within their homes and that they, and the students, could benefit from the scheme. Universities such as Manchester, Leicester, London Metropolitan, Sussex, East Anglia, to name but a few, offer similar schemes which have proved beneficial to both students and the host families.”
Home Stay and Rent a Room schemes are popular within other universities and provide students with a welcoming home-from-home experience. The schemes tend to be particularly popular with international students who benefit from living with a family where they can learn more about the local customs and culture.
Families are also able to benefit from the scheme as homes who participate in the scheme are able to capitalise on additional tax-free income of up to £4,250 per annum.
Ursula Byrne, a member of staff within the School of Education and Lifelong Learning at the University commented: “We have students living in our home and we have found it to be a great experience for both the students and us personally. We learn a great deal from one another and I hope that by living with us that we have had a positive impact on their time at university.”
The Rent a Room Scheme will be available to all members of staff within the University. Members of staff wishing to participate in the scheme should contact the Accommodation Office for further details.
