Damp, a lack of running water and unwanted guests including rats, slugs and bed bugs, are among the main issues that many students living in rented accommodation around the UK have to deal with, a new report claims.

Student advice site Save the Student surveyed 2,095 students with 65% of respondents claiming that they are currently being forced to live in squalor.

Jake Butler of Save the Student commented: “People tend to think that living in substandard conditions is just part of being a student, but it’s time we realised it simply isn’t acceptable, especially when many students and their parents are shelling out plenty of money.

“We hear from stressed out students with housing issues pretty much daily. Far too many landlords and even university accommodation providers will just shrug off major issues. And who can they turn to when that happens? There should be more obvious support available to students for matters like this.”

A separate National Student Housing Survey reveals that students around the UK pay an average deposit of just under £300 each to secure a place to live, with 80% coughing up for fees as well.