According to a student accommodation search engine the coronavirus has to make landlords and academic authorities seriously consider introducing break clauses and allow student renters to end their tenancies earlier.

Dan Roberts, managing director of the platform, describes how the pandemic has impacted maintenance and support services and how practises have had to be changed.

“Outside of thorough cleaning, one way systems and distancing measures, there are also very particular plans around self-isolating which isn’t so straightforward in shared spaces. But these will be incredibly important with the emerging likelihood of successive ‘circuit breaks’ or mini lockdowns on the horizon.

“As we have seen recently in Scotland and in Manchester self-isolating has had a major impact on student accommodation, as it is often made up of corridors of single rooms and so decisions on who will need to self-isolate if often being made on a case-by-case basis. This will inevitably have a knock-on effect on that all-important socialising at the start of Freshers [Week].

“We know that already, students are confused and overwhelmed by these huge changes and some may now wish to be released from their contracts and return home to study. It's the responsibility of universities and accommodation providers, together, to provide the most clarity possible.

“Students are already uprooting and starting a new life when they begin university, and accommodation providers also need to work hard to recognise and support the impact these further lockdown rules will have on mental health. With students spending more time in their halls, there are undoubtedly more considerations to be had around wellbeing than ever before- with more responsibility taken by accommodation sites themselves, alongside universities.”

Roberts steadfastly believes that in spite of the troubles the sector still has long term attractiveness.

Roberts said “Despite the uncertainty of how the pandemic will affect uni life, this year’s intake of UK students has been bigger than ever – a 2.9 per cent rise amongst UK applicants compared with 2019.

“We’ve also seen continued interest in studying in the UK from international students, with a rise in search traffic from some overseas territories including Portugal and UAE (both 29 per cent), India (30 per cent) and Hong Kong (56 per cent).

“Numbers of students are expected to be unaffected. We understand the frustrations at the restrictions students are facing at the beginning of their academic year and it’s clear that they are looking for a sense of normality, despite the inevitable disruption caused by distancing and isolating.”