Sacha Bergsma
Sacha is stagiair bij DUB. Ze volgde de bachelor Liberal Arts and Sciences met hoofdrichting Internationale Betrekkingen in Historisch Perspectief aan de Universiteit Utrecht. Daarnaast volgt ze de minor Creatief Schrijven.
Sacha is stagiair bij DUB. Ze volgde de bachelor Liberal Arts and Sciences met hoofdrichting Internationale Betrekkingen in Historisch Perspectief aan de Universiteit Utrecht. Daarnaast volgt ze de minor Creatief Schrijven.
Having experienced paying high rent myself for what felt like a very small place, I completely understand why students are frustrated and want lower rents.
At the same time, I now live in a neighbourhood of predominantly owner-occupied homes where many people have remarkably low housing costs because they bought their houses decades ago. Some live alone in homes of 120 m² or more.
I think the discussion should focus more on how we can increase the number of rooms available for rent. When talking to homeowners and long-term tenants, I repeatedly hear the same concern: they are reluctant to rent out a spare room because they cannot offer a temporary contract. They worry that if the arrangement does not work out, they may be forced to continue living with someone they do not get along with. Likewise, if they decide to sell their home, they fear that having a permanent tenant will make this much more difficult.
Students clearly carry the main burden of the housing shortage, and I do not want to minimise that. But unless we make it more attractive and less risky for homeowners to rent out spare rooms, I fear the shortage of student rooms will remain.