CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS & PROJECT MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE · Vol. 2021

Factors influencing student's accommodation selection

Janine du Plessis and Christopher Amoah

Keywords: Accommodation, factors, off-campus, selection, students

Abstract

Selecting accommodation for occupancy is challenging as various factors are considered by the occupier to achieve maximum satisfaction from the premises. The study's objective was to identify the factors considered by tertiary students when selecting their off-campus accommodation. A quantitative approach was adopted for the study, using closed and openended questionnaires to collect data from conveniently selected 98 off-campus tertiary students from the University of the Free State. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to calculate the frequencies and percentages for the data collected. Data were collected from only off-campus students at the University of the Free State; albeit, the findings may be applicable in other similar settings. The results indicate that the most significant factors influencing students' accommodation selection are the safety of the premises, the apartment's rental value, the inclusion of furniture in the rooms, facilities available at the apartment, proximity to lecture halls, and privacy. Other new and emerging factors identified are Wi-Fi availability, the inclusion of water and electricity in the rent, gender-based accommodation, rules and regulations given to students, freedom, and a big yard for the dogs. There is an urgent need for private developers to be aware of contemporary students' needs and incorporate them in developing students' accommodation for their businesses' sustenance. Again, in assessing and approving off-campus housing for student usage, the authorities should be guided by these factors in the approval processes to ensure occupants' satisfaction.