Nicosia: There is increased demand for student houses, especially at the beginning of the academic year, due to the expansion of the student community and limited availability of organized student residences. This was stated by Marinos Kineyirou, President of the Council for Registration of Real Estate Agents, in an interview with the Cyprus News Agency.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the rental prices for a one-bedroom apartment in Nicosia range from £600 to £900. In Limassol, prices can reach up to £1,500, while in Larnaca and Paphos, they are approximately the same as in Nicosia. In Paralimni, prices do not exceed £700. Vasilis Protopas, Head of the Student Welfare Service at the Cyprus University of Technology, stated that their goal is to accommodate all first-year students with financial issues within one or two years, with the completion of new dormitories. Plans are underway to build additional dormitories with a total capacity of around 900 new beds, with the first 500 expected to be available in three years, according to Kleanthis Pissarides, head of the Studies and Student Welfare Service at the University of Cyprus.
Demand continues to rise, particularly at the start of each academic year, Kineyirou told CNA, noting that Nicosia represents the largest student market, while Limassol has the highest rental prices. Kineyirou explained that the high demand is also influenced by foreign workers and businesses seeking rental properties. Statistical data shows that enrollments in higher education reached 57,889 for the 2023-2024 academic year, marking a 9.4% increase from the previous year. In Limassol, approximately 700 applications for student housing are submitted annually, yet available spaces in organized residences remain significantly limited.
Protopapas highlighted improvements at the Cyprus University of Technology in terms of housing, with decisions made regarding the construction of dormitories and rental allowances. In Paphos, students can find accommodation in the Municipality of Paphos' student dormitory near the University. The University provides a rental allowance of 250 euros per month for students facing financial difficulties who cannot secure dormitory rooms. The annual budget for rent allowances is 800,000 euros. In Limassol, the Archdiocese dormitory offers 300 beds, 200 of which are allocated to students. Protopapas noted that the majority of the university's students hail from other cities, with only 35% originating from Limassol.
The University of Cyprus currently operates student dormitories with 208 rooms distributed based on socio-economic criteria. The rent is approximately 150 euros per month, inclusive of utility bills. Plans for additional dormitories with 900 new beds are underway, pending state approvals, with the first homes expected to be available in about three years. Pissarides noted that assistance is provided to students in searching for accommodation near the university.