Inside the UK’s biggest student housing co-operative

A lesson in tackling a housing crisis from the grassroots up

Tucked away off a street along Bruntsfield Links two blocks of pink flats with bright murals stand out among the grey buildings. 

A poster on the entrance wall reads “Everyone has a right to a home. Either give it to us or we take it.” Inside, students live in shared flats like many around the Capital. 

But behind the vibrant walls the tenants are doing housing differently. And they believe it offers a model which can help solve the city’s chronic affordable accommodation crisis.

Members of the Edinburgh Student Housing Cooperative have stable, affordable housing for just £388 a month. This includes a room in a shared flat, electricity, internet access and essentials like washing up liquid. 

Renting a room in halls of residence typically comes in around double that, while sharing in a private rented sector flat can be triple. 

The coop – now the biggest in the UK – has put up rent by just £183 in a decade.