Hundreds of Scottish university students have asked rental agents to take their bids on apartments amid a major housing crisis.
One company told the BBC it was inundated every day by crying people who couldn’t find a place to stay.
Some students have used hostels and slept on common room floors, while others have made long commutes.
NUS Scotland said the crisis was forcing people to end courses.
Universities Scotland said “a significant decline in the private rental sector in many Scottish cities” meant higher education institutions were experiencing “unprecedented demand for university accommodation”.
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John O’Malley, chief executive officer at rental agency Pacitti Jones, told BBC Scotland: “We still get hundreds of applications for everything we offer. It’s an absolute nightmare and unmanageable.
“They call us desperately. They’re upset, they’re offering six months in advance, they’re offering this money without seeing it, which we can’t allow. It’s a really terrible situation.”
Mr O’Malley blamed a combination of rising student numbers and an estimated 40% decline in private rentals from pre-pandemic levels.
It comes as Edinburgh University made bunk beds available in a converted shared room in halls of residence due to a shortage of available housing.
The university described the conditions for students as a “short-term option” to help while a permanent solution was found.
Phoebe Chellew, a third-year student in Edinburgh, slept on the floor at Pollock Halls after spending the summer trying to find a place to live.
The 24-year-old, who has now secured longer-term accommodation, said: “It was really cramped, no privacy at all. It was right next to the freshman lounge.
“There was no place to study and I feel like I’ve relapsed because you came back to the common room and people were chatting.”
Her flatmate Fiona Williamson, a fourth-year student, told BBC Scotland: “It was exhausting. You can’t just get up and turn on the light.
“We had to walk through corridors in our towels to get to the showers.”
A University of Edinburgh spokesman said all students who met the requirements of their accommodation guarantee had now been offered a place in a hall of residence.
“We temporarily provided accommodation in our dormitories for some students who were not covered by our housing guarantee. This was at short notice and students who took up this option were offered a permanent room at the university,” the spokesman added.
“All students have now moved into permanent university-owned or private accommodation.”
Glasgow University students have been told to consider postponing or even dropping out of their studies if they are unable to find housing.
BBC Scotland has seen an email in which the university told a second year student that it “may be more appropriate for you to sit or drop out of your studies”.
The National Union of Students (NUS) has described the escalating housing crisis as “absolutely huge” and suggested that landlords turn to lucrative vacation rentals.
The panel also blamed a lack of available, affordable housing.
The Scottish Government is currently conducting a review of purpose built student accommodation.
The NUS also said it was still hearing from students withdrawing college and university places across Scotland as a direct result of the shortage.
Ellie Gomersal, NUS President, said: “This is heartbreaking. Going to university for the first time should be the most exciting time, instead it is full of stress and worry.
“We need guarantees from universities that as they increase the number of places available, they will also increase the provision of quality, affordable housing.”
Erin Henderson, a fourth-year primary school teacher, finally found a flat in Glasgow after she started hunting in June.
She describes the challenge of applying for an apartment with ninety other interested parties.
Ms Henderson, speaking to the BBC as she brought her things into her flat, said: “I finally have one but it’s not the best of October moving in during school terms.
“It was such a faff to find something. I pay more than I want. There’s just not enough of it, when there is, it’s not affordable.”
A spokesman for Universities Scotland said: “We agree with NUS Scotland that every student should have a safe and affordable place to live.
“We are also fully committed to the Scottish Government’s review of purpose-built student accommodation to further strengthen this as part of the mix of accommodation available.”
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