Rightmove Students – Student attitudes to the housing market
In a recent survey by Rightmove Students, 65% of all students asked said they expect it to take 5 years or less to get onto the property ladder and buy their first home.
With the average age of a first time buyer being 30 years old, this shows students are at least 5 years out in their predictions. According to the CML, in 2006, there were 402,800 first-time buyers whereas last year, there were just 217,800.
Traditionally, the bank of mum and dad have been vital in assisting young people to get on the housing ladder but a recent survey by the CML has revealed this is no longer the case. In 2006, shortly before the credit crunch, 67 per cent of first-time buyers got onto the housing ladder without any financial assistance from their parents. Last year, the number had dropped to just 36 per cent.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Of the students asked in our survey, 32% said their parents pay for their accommodation and 20% said their parents pay for their university fees, so perhaps this shows a shift in parent investment to support their study rather than them buying a home.
In our survey, 45% of students asked did say they were happy to rent for the time being but based on this evidence, it might take longer than expected.