Oxford students have already begun the annual ritual of queuing outside letting agents for accommodation in the next academic year.

But one of the main agencies in the city insists it isn’t responsible for stoking what has become a photo opportunity for the local press.

Finders Keepers says it was one of the last agencies in Oxford to release its list of available student accommodation earlier this week.

However, this seemed to prompt the usual crowds of potential renters camping outside.

Dan Channer, managing director of Finders Keepers, told EYE: “The local press run the same story every year that implies we are encouraging students to camp outside to secure the best property.

“We put signs in the window saying there is no need to queue, and we are the last agency to release our list. Others put theirs out in October when some students will only have been enrolled for two weeks.

“It is driven by people having friends living in properties we manage. They know the properties, so know what they want.”

Channer said students are dealt with on a first-come first-served basis but insists there is plenty of property to go round.

Rival local firm College and County said it combats queues by offering an online system allowing students to sign up to show an interest in properties.

Mark Crampton Smith, director of College and County, told us: “We think that overnight queuing is so 20th century.

“For the past ten years we have a virtual queue which is less demeaning for the students.

“Our student properties all have video tours, often put together by previous occupants, and applicants call up to arrange viewings for up to three properties at a time.

“Our team will help with shortlisting.

“We have found that when some of the students who have been outside some of our competitors for up to three nights find they cannot get the house they want, they pass on their frustration and anger to their friends and come to us saying that our procedure is much better.

“Within the student population in Oxford, reputation is all, and we are confident that our reputation is very strong. In the last week we have let over 50 student houses in multiple accommodation, subject to contract, and this is in line with previous years.”