Dormitory crisis in Istanbul: Prices are burning pockets

University students in Istanbul have begun their search for dormitories and housing for the 2024-2025 academic year. While rents in central districts and neighborhoods close to university campuses range between 25-30 thousand liras, private dormitory fees are also straining student budgets with increases of up to 50 percent.

PRIVATE DORMITORY PRICES INCREASED BY 50 PERCENT

Private dormitory fees, which ranged between 8 thousand 500 liras and 17 thousand liras in the 2023-2024 academic year, have shown a 50 percent increase this year. While dormitory prices in Şişli range from 12 thousand liras to 27 thousand liras, they vary between 22 thousand liras and 24 thousand liras in Bakırköy, and between 8 thousand liras and 36 thousand liras in Zeytinburnu. Prices for state dormitories are expected to be announced in the final days of August.

Ferhat Bay, general manager of a private student dormitory in Şişli, said, "Dormitory prices vary according to room type and concept. Single rooms are between 21 thousand TL and 23 thousand TL, double rooms are around 18 thousand TL, and triple rooms are around 16 thousand TL." Stating that dormitory occupancy rates will increase rapidly following the announcement of the results, Bay added that dormitory prices have increased by between 40 and 60 percent compared to last year.

HOUSE RENTS ARE BURNING POCKETS

Students are turning to dormitories due to the high cost of house rents. While rents in districts such as Beşiktaş, Şişli, Fatih, and Kadıköy range between 25-30 thousand liras, more affordable homes can be found in Avcılar for between 10 thousand liras and 20 thousand liras.

Nizameddin Aşa, Chairman of the Board of the Istanbul Chamber of Real Estate Brokers, said, "2+1 apartments in Beşiktaş range between 25 thousand liras and 30 thousand liras. Prices in Şişli, Fatih, Kadıköy, and Bakırköy are around 20-25 thousand liras." Aşa emphasized that students most prefer central districts such as Beşiktaş, Şişli, Fatih, and Kadıköy.

Ahmet Baydar, Chairman of the All Dormitory Employers' Union, stated that private dormitory prices in Istanbul range between 100 thousand liras and 300 thousand liras annually, and announced that occupancy rates remain at the 60-65 percent level. Baydar stated that private dormitories were forced to implement price increases due to economic conditions.

News Source: 12punto