Arts SU has published Home Truths: Accommodation Report 2026, a new piece of research exploring how housing conditions are affecting UAL students’ lives, learning, and creative practice.

Based on responses from over 400 students, the report examines accommodation types, affordability, property conditions, contracts, and complaint processes across London’s housing market. It reveals that for many students, housing security is a defining factor in their university experience.

The findings show that:

• Many students are spending the majority (or more than all) of their income on rent
• Poor housing conditions, including mould, cold, and overcrowding, remain common
• Students face significant barriers in securing accommodation, including upfront costs and guarantor requirements
• Housing is directly affecting students’ mental health, ability to study, and capacity to engage in creative work

The report argues that housing should be understood as a core part of the educational environment, particularly within arts education, where space, time, and stability are essential to creative development.

Alongside the findings, the report sets out a series of practical and strategic recommendations aimed at improving student accommodation both within UAL-managed halls and across the wider housing system.

Read our full report.