Finding accommodation in Cyprus is the main problem students are facing as the new academic year begins. Summer is in full swing on the island, but many are already looking for accommodation close to their universities. The savviest of them are checking the websites of local estate agents on a daily basis to make sure they don't miss out on the best deals. Unlike freshers who are counting on halls of residence, they know how difficult it is to find a decent option in August, and even more so in September.

Of course, no one can give you a 100% guarantee of a university bed. However, if you are lucky enough to get a hostel, you can save a lot of money on rent. Let's find out who can get a place in halls of residence in Cyprus, and under what conditions, using two of the country's main universities as examples.

Rental options for students in Cyprus

First of all, we should tell you what types of accommodation are most commonly considered for rent by local students. Broadly speaking, they can be divided into three categories:

Private flats - this option is usually chosen by students who have been studying in Cyprus for more than a year. It works like this: several people rent a 2 or 3 bedroom flat together and all the expenses are shared equally. This way you can save a lot of money and live in comfortable conditions. When choosing a flat to rent, you should be extremely careful and follow the recommendations developed by specialised organisations to avoid disappointment and deception. Some general tips include: meet the landlord in person before signing a contract, inspect the accommodation carefully before moving in, research the area and how to get to the university, study the terms of the contract and what is included in the rent, always keep proof of rent payment, prohibit unauthorised persons from visiting the accommodation without the tenant present.
Dormitories - Many universities, some colleges and polytechnics provide halls of residence. However, with the increase in student numbers in recent years, it has become increasingly difficult to find a place in a hostel in Cyprus. However, it must be acknowledged that the local government is making great efforts to provide accommodation for students.
Homestay accommodation is where ordinary Cypriot families take in international students. Cypriots are quite friendly towards students, although they often use this opportunity not to support future young professionals, but to earn extra money. This practice is not yet very popular on the island, but every year there are more and more people willing to earn money from students without much stress.

Cyprus University of Technology (TEPAK)

Located in Limassol, TEPAK was founded in 2004, with the first intake taking place in the 2007-2008 academic year. Today it has more than 3,000 students. The Cyprus University of Technology does not yet have private student accommodation. However, it rents a number of buildings in the city centre and the famous "Apollonia" dormitory near the fourth roundabout on the Limassol-Paphos motorway from the Orthodox Church of Cyprus for the needs of its students. In addition, the University is actively building student accommodation in Limassol and Paphos. The first buildings are expected to be delivered by the beginning of the new academic year.

Criteria and procedures for selecting students for TEPAK-managed halls of residence

Technological University of Cyprus manages a number of facilities which it makes available to its students. In many cases, students receive a subsidy of approximately 50% of the rent. The final amount of the subsidy depends on the socio-economic criteria of the beneficiary. A certain number of beds are also reserved for international students.

In order to be included in the list of applicants for a place in TEPAK's halls of residence, a student must meet the following parameters

Have student status at the time of application;
Submit an application for a residence permit in Cyprus together with all the necessary certificates within the specified application deadlines;
For students who are considered on the basis of their socio-economic criteria, the annual gross family income per capita must not exceed 12,000 euros.

How are dormitories allocated?

The University's available accommodation is allocated as follows:

Up to 20 beds are allocated to first year students from Greece (and other EU countries except Cyprus), but only for the first year of study;
up to 20 beds will be allocated to international students under the Erasmus programme, a non-profit-making programme for the exchange of students and teachers between universities in the EU Member States and Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway and Turkey;
up to 10 beds are allocated to international students who have come to the University on a scholarship;
up to 5 beds are allocated to international postgraduate students for the first year only.

All other available beds are allocated on the basis of socio-economic criteria:

35% are allocated to first year students from Cyprus;
60% to upper year students (2nd-6th year) from Cyprus;
5% to advanced students (2nd-6th year) from Greece (and other EU countries except Cyprus). However, the scoring process is done separately for Cypriots.

Scoring rules for determining a student's socio-economic status

The University provides various forms of support to students who face socio-economic challenges. For example, financial aid, postgraduate scholarships, money for food, housing and more. In order to receive benefits, students are required to provide evidence of their socio-economic status in the form of the necessary certificates. Based on this, points are awarded: from 1 to 19. And then the free places are distributed. In other words, the lower the income of the student's parents, the greater the chance of getting a bed in a TEPAK dormitory.

Criteria for awarding points:
Income over 15,000 euros - 0 points,
Income between 14,501 Euros and 15,000 Euros - 1 point,
Income from 14,001 euros to 14,500 euros - 2 points,
Income from 13,501 euros to 14,000 euros - 3 points,
Income between €13,001 and €13,500 - 4 points,
Income from 12,501 euros to 13,000 euros - 5 points,
Income from 12,001 euros to 12,500 euros - 6 points,
Income from 11,501 euros to 12,000 euros - 7 points,
Income from 11,001 euros to 11,500 euros - 8 points,
Income from 10,501 to 11,000 euros - 9 points,
Income from 10,001 to 10,500 Euros - 10 points,
Income of €9,501 to €10,000 - 11 points,
Income from €9,001 to €9,500 - 12 points,
Income between €8,501 and €9,000 - 13 points,
Income between €8,001 and €8,500 - 14 points,
Income between €7,501 and €8,000 - 15 points,
Income between €7,001 and €7,500 - 16 points,
Income between €6,501 and €7,000 - 17 points,
Income between €6,001 and €6,500 - 18 points,
Income from €0 to €6,000 - 19 points.

Payment of deposit /rent

Immediately after the allocation of beds, each tenant must pay a deposit and the first instalment of the rent to the bank account of the Cyprus University of Technology, depending on the type of room allocated to him/her and according to the amounts specified in his/her contract. The deposit and the first instalment of the rent must be paid by separate bank transfers. The rent for the whole academic year is payable in four instalments in July/August, October, January and April. Tenants who renew their contract do not have to pay the deposit again. Rent starts at 350 euros.

Main provisions of the rental contract

The rent of a bed in TEPAK includes electricity, water consumption, cleaning of common areas and internet connection. In case of excessive electricity consumption (all flats/rooms have a separate meter), the tenant pays the difference. Excessive electricity consumption is defined as an amount exceeding €40 per month, which may be reviewed annually by the University Council.

University of Cyprus

The University of Cyprus is the oldest university in the country and is located in Nicosia. It was founded in 1989, but opened its doors to the first students in 1992. Today there are more than 4,000 undergraduate and 1.2,000 postgraduate students. It is the most important state university in the country due to its high level of teaching and extensive research. It currently has 21 departments, divided into eight faculties: Faculty of Humanities, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences and Education, Faculty of Economics and Management, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Letters, Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Postgraduate Studies.

Student residences

The University of Cyprus student residences are located on a large campus in the Atalassa district. The campus consists of 12 buildings with a total capacity of 224 single rooms and two public buildings housing the Tenant Services Centre, the Events Centre, the Post Office and the Laundry. Each building consists of 2-4 floors of independent rooms, each with its own separate entrance. On each floor there is a communal kitchen, fully equipped with appliances and utensils, and shared bathrooms. The costs of heating, cleaning of the common areas, electricity, water, maintenance and security are included in the rent. The contract with University of Cyprus students is for one academic year (September to May). They have the option of staying in the hostel during the Christmas and Easter holidays.

Criteria and procedure for the selection of students for the University of Cyprus managed hostels

In order for a student to be included in the list of applicants for a place in a University of Cyprus hostel, he/she must fulfil the following parameters

Have student status at the time of application;
Apply for a residence permit in Cyprus, together with all the necessary certificates, within the specified application deadlines;
have no rent arrears when the contract is renewed;
For students who are considered on the basis of their socio-economic criteria, the annual gross family income per capita should not exceed 12,000 euros.

Applicants considered on the basis of socio-economic status will also be considered:

The financial situation of the applicant's family;
The socio-economic problems of the applicant's family;
The distance of the applicant family's permanent residence from Nicosia.

How are places in the hostel allocated?

The majority of rooms (160 units) on the University of Cyprus campus are allocated to Cypriot students. Priority is given to first-year students, who are usually allocated a minimum of 70 beds. The University authorities believe that living in halls of residence will help them to adapt and integrate more quickly into student life.

The allocation of the remaining rooms is based on certain criteria for the evaluation of applications:

40 will be allocated to Greek undergraduate and postgraduate students;
12 will be prioritised for older couples;
4 specially equipped rooms will be allocated to students with severe disabilities;

8 are allocated to Erasmus students and other international students.

Types of rooms in University of Cyprus halls of residence

There are several types of rooms in the on-campus residences, which differ in terms of the facilities provided and the cost of rent:

Type A - The room has its own bathroom and air conditioning, and there is a shared kitchen on the floor. The rent is 160 euros per month. There are 48 rooms in total.
Type B - The room has a washbasin and air conditioning, and there is a shared kitchen and bathroom on the floor. The rent is 120 euros per month. There are 144 rooms in total.
Type B - a block of two rooms with a shared toilet and kitchen, each room has air conditioning. The rent is 160 euros per month. There are 12 rooms in total.
Type D - Rooms adapted for people with disabilities. The rent is 160 euros per month. There are only 4 rooms.

However, except in special cases, only type B rooms are available for first-year students.

Payment of deposit / rent

Each tenant must pay the appropriate deposit and the monthly rent to the University of Cyprus bank account immediately after being allocated a bed. Rent for the remaining period of accommodation is payable monthly.

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Source: DOM

Photos: pixabay.com, DOM

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Ksenia Anisimova