As students start or return to university this month, it is both an exciting and stressful time. Especially in a cost of living crisis. Everyone involved in the development and provision of student accommodation agrees that there is a shortage of quality affordable student housing, and its approaching crisis point. The National Union of Students is therefore calling for rent controls, however is that really the answer? I don't think so, because: 

1. If developers/ landlords cannot match rents to rising costs then lower profitability margins are inevitable and many will leave the sector, resulting in further shortages. This may then have the opposite effect as there will be reduced supply but still increasing demand.
2. It will be harder to secure financing for existing properties due to lower profit margins, causing more developers/ landlords to exit the sector.
3. For those that remain, lower profitability margins may result in lower housing quality for students if landlords cannot afford to maintain their buildings.
4. How will the rent controls be monitored and enforced? Local authorities are already budget-challenged, but the burden will surely fall to them.   
5. Not everyone who benefits from rent control actually needs the help. Some people can afford the current rents so wouldn't it be better to focus financial assistance on those who need it?

Whilst I agree that accommodation needs to be affordable for students, I don't think rent control is the solution.