Clearing is Coming Up and There’s Some Good News for Brighton Student Landlords

Last year, Clearing arrived while the universities were still trying to fill their own buildings. However, we have it on good authority that not only do they appear to be filling earlier but, as a trusted accommodation partner, Coapt has already been invited to share available properties directly within several university-lead housing groups.

That does not mean every hall in Brighton is full. Sussex is still advertising guaranteed accommodation for students joining through Clearing, while the University of Brighton is also promoting university-managed accommodation alongside private renting. However, the fact that private homes are being shown to students this early suggests the private rental sector will play a more active role during Clearing this year.

The student numbers are moving in the right direction too.

This speaks of an increasingly positive national picture too:

By the end of June, 695,740 people had applied to university through UCAS, an increase of 4.6% compared with last year. Applications from UK 18-year-olds increased by 5% to 344,760, while universities made 1.3 million offers to this age group, up from 1.2 million last year.

International undergraduate applications through UCAS have also risen by 7.1% to 148,350. UCAS only captures part of the international market and does not include most postgraduate applications, but it is still a welcome sign after several years of falling overseas recruitment.

Of course, the wider picture is not suddenly perfect. Recent headlines reported around 700 potential job losses at Sussex, but that figure needs some context. The university says 528 staff have already left through voluntary schemes and it is now consulting on the possible loss of approximately 200 further full-time-equivalent roles. The university has linked the cuts to a reported loss of 4,000 students, particularly following the decline in international recruitment.

This means landlords still need to be realistic. Clearing will not automatically let every remaining property, particularly where the rent is too high or the presentation is poor. However, rising applications, record numbers of offers and earlier referrals into the private market are all positive indicators.

For landlords with accommodation still available, now is the time to make sure it is properly advertised, competitively priced and ready to move quickly. Clearing students often need to make decisions within days, so the properties that are visible, appealing and easy to secure will be in the strongest position.

After months of difficult headlines, this may finally be the late-summer boost Brighton’s student landlords have been waiting for.