Off-Campus Student Housing Preferences: Case Study – Negeri

    OFF-CAMPUS STUDENT HOUSING PREFERENCES: CASE STUDY – NEGERI SELANGOR

Leader: Noraini Johari 1,

Researchers: Lizawati Abdullah2, Thuraiya Mohd3, Nurulanis

Ahmad @ Mohamed4, Suwaibatul Islamiah Abdullah Sani5,

Research Assistant: Norain Mustafa Kamal6

1, 2,3,4,5,6 Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Surveying, Universiti

Teknologi MARA, Cawangan Perak, Kampus Seri Iskandar, Seri

Iskandar 32610, Perak, Malaysia

ABSTRACT

This research aims to identify the attributes of housing preferences among Malaysian university students, thus enabling insight towards the formation of an Off-Campus Student Housing Preferences Framework in the Malaysian context specifically in the State of Selangor. This is in view of evidence that student accommodation is commonly insufficient to cater for the enrolled students. The objectives of this research are 1. to identify the off-campus student housing preferences and its attributes for dwelling purpose; 2. To identify the differences in student housing preferences between IPTS students and IPTA students; 3. to investigate the relationship between variables of student profiles and housing preferences; and 4. to formulate a structural model reflecting off-campus student housing preferences. Collection of primary data was via two sets of structured questionnaires in Likert-scale type questions distributed randomly among on and off-campus students in selected public and private universities located within the State of Selangor. Survey was conducted among 735 respondents comprising undergraduate students. Literature reviews revealed that student preferences are reflected thus: distance (time taken, transportation mode, facilities and amenities), housing type and rental tenure, student’s style (personal style, crowdedness, lighting, air-conditioning, hot water supply, laundry, bathroom, size, and privacy), quality (security and safety), and affordability. Results of the analysis of the framework found that the four main factors to be considered relating to off-campus student housing preferences are location, housing quality, housing accommodation, and housing environment. The researchers recommend an extension study to be conducted in the other states in Malaysia, to obtain a broader perspective of student housing preferences towards designing a national student housing preferences framework.

Keywords: students; framework student housing; housing references; housing attributes.