A student who paid his deposit for his university halls and then had to change accommodation at the last minute has spoken out about the "frustrating" student property shortage in Belfast.

Hugh MacDonald (18) from outside Clones, is one of hundreds of students affected by this demand. He is a first-year physiotherapy student in Ulster University, Jordanstown.

Hugh had secured a place at Queen’s University Belfast halls of residents before being told that he no longer had a place despite having already paid his deposit.

Some Jordanstown students opt for a stay in Queen's University Halls on occasion in order to live in the city centre and embrace all of student life in the city.

It left him scurrying to find alternative accommodation only days before he was due to start.

He said: “It’s not unusual for Jordanstown students to be in Queen's halls, when my sister was in halls there were three Jordanstown students in her halls.”

Hugh was one of many students who were last week offered a £1,500 incentive by Queen's to find alternative accommodation

The offer included £1,250 in cash, off-peak gym membership worth about £100 and £150 on their student card.

The incentive was launched to reduce the number of students who still need accommodation and help prioritise those most in need of a room and was offered as an alternative to taking a room in Queen’s accommodation this incoming academic year.

The offer was put to students on Friday, September 10 and students were given until September 12 to make a decision.

The offer was ended by Queen’s University and students were told to find alternative accommodation. Hugh was not able to avail of the offer but still lost his hall place at Queen's.

He has, however, at the last minute accessed halls at Jordanstown.

“We got sent out an email to say the accommodation wasn’t available and I got on to Jordanstown.

“I had thought about going into a house [private accommodation] but it had been left to last minute. The whole thing just puts you out really.”

Hugh added: “A friend from Armagh was also in the same position and was told his room was unavailable and there are now Queen’s students who are being sent to live in Jordanstown halls."

Hugh did have his deposit returned.

Councillor Chris McCaffrey, Sinn Féin has been working with students on this issue and said: “There has been a significant increase in demand for student housing in Belfast this year, I know first hand from assisting students in finding accommodation and speaking to estate agents the difficulties students had in securing suitable accommodation throughout the summer.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly contributed to this year’s increased demand. As well as a physical return to campus, many students also deferred their university places last year and are now just starting this semester meaning an increased number of students needing housing.

“As well as a demand for private accommodation, university owned accommodation such as halls were also heavily booked. This led to a disgraceful episode only a fortnight ago where Queen’s University informed students that accommodation they had paid deposits for and were due to move into, was now no longer available.

“Students are often exploited when it comes to housing and do not enjoy the same rights as other tenants. This year’s increase has unfortunately meant that many have had to pay increased rent to secure accommodation and had to act quickly to get better quality houses.”

He concluded: “Hopefully, with an easing of restrictions and gradual return to normal university experience, there will not be a repeat of this issue next year.”