Students in Ljubljana face moldy rooms, basements for $500 monthly rent

Finding a decent place to live in Ljubljana has become a significant challenge for students, with many forced to accept deplorable conditions for high rents. For $500 a month, students report being offered moldy rooms, basements, or dilapidated apartments.

One student described the grim reality: "The toilet doesn't work, we flush with a bucket, the whole apartment stinks." This highlights the dire state of available housing, where basic sanitation and living conditions are compromised.

Landlords are leveraging the severe housing shortage to their advantage. Students describe weeks of fruitless searching and demeaning viewings, facing property owners who understand their leverage. This power imbalance forces many young people to accept terms they would never consider in a balanced market, turning a basic necessity into a luxury.

The situation raises critical questions about the accessibility of dignified student housing, which has seemingly transformed into a privilege. The article aims to explore the reasons behind this crisis and investigate potential solutions to alleviate the housing distress faced by young people in the city.

“

The toilet doesn't work, we flush with a bucket, the whole apartment stinks.