Student rents have barely changed this academic year from the last.

According to website Accommodation for Students, average rents are down by just 37p per week for a room.

The average weekly rent is £79.27, compared with £79.64 last year. However, there is huge variation: the lowest was £17 per week per room in Coventry and the highest was £199 in London

While high rents remain concentrated in the south, rents have actually increased more in the north (+ 3.6%) and decreased (- 3.5%) in the south.   London remains the most expensive location for student accommodation at £136 per week per room.

In contrast, a student in Wolverhampton will be paying an average of £58.

Variations within regions are notable – for example, in the north-east, students could expect to pay £50 in Stockton but £88 in Durham.

This suggests regional trends are not strong and the student rental market is more city-dependent.

The website says fluctuations also depend on the popularity of the university, based on courses available each year.

The website also says that more than half of student rooms (51%) are offered inclusive of bills. This adds an average £7.21 per week to the rent.

Simon Thompson, director of Accommodation for Students, said: “There is more choice in student accommodation than ever before.

“Overall, increased competition has helped stabilise rents, which is good news for students, but also for landlords who can be reassured that the student rental sector remains robust and is still one of the most attractive yield classes for property investment.”