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As we approach Freshers’ Week, desk lamps and duvet covers will be packed for the big move into halls.
When heading to university, students want to know that their living arrangements will be clean, especially the beds they’ll be sleeping in.
So, for our UK University Bed Bug Report, we sent Freedom of Information requests to 165 universities to uncover the scale of bed bug problems in student accommodation, as well as how often mattresses are cleaned and replaced. We received responses from 105 universities, giving us a picture of what’s really going on behind bedroom doors in halls of residence.
The findings revealed 1,224 bed bug reports in just three years, while some universities told us their mattresses can remain in use for up to a decade.
Headline Findings from Our UK University Bed Bug Report
- 71% of universities (75 of 105) recorded at least one bed bug report in student accommodation over the last three years.
- A whopping 1,224 bed bug reports were recorded across UK universities during that period.
- More than half (54%) of universities have no formal mattress replacement policy.
- Just one in six universities (16%) reported no bed bug incidents in the last three years.
Bed bugs certainly aren’t an isolated problem in UK student accommodation. With more than seven in 10 universities reporting incidents over the three years, our findings show how widespread the issue is.
And it’s not just the bugs raising questions. More than half of universities have no formal policy setting out when mattresses should be replaced, despite hundreds or even thousands of students using university accommodation each year.
How Often are University Mattresses Replaced?
We asked universities how often they replace mattresses, and why. The results might surprise you (and not in a good way!).
More than half (54%) of universities have no formal mattress replacement policy, meaning accommodation staff have no contractual requirement to replace mattresses within a set timeframe.
A further 30% (32 of 105) told us they replace mattresses based on their condition, such as when one is visibly damaged, or a student raises an issue, rather than following a routine replacement schedule.
Of the universities that gave us a specific replacement timeframe, the average mattress replacement cycle was 5.6 years. However, answers ranged from just two years to 10.
Martin Seeley, CEO at MattressNextDay, explains why mattresses in university accommodation may need replacing more frequently than those we sleep on at home:
“Unlike a mattress at home, which is usually slept on by the same person or couple, a university mattress can have a new student sleeping on it every year, each with different weights, sleeping positions and habits.
“That level of repeated use can cause the fillings and support layers to compress more quickly, while the cover, seams and edges can become worn or damaged over time. That’s why we recommend mattresses in heavy-use accommodation are regularly inspected and replaced around every two years.
“At the top end of our findings, that means some university mattresses are being kept for up to eight years longer than we’d recommend.”
Considering the standard UK degree is usually three years, some students could therefore be sleeping on a mattress that’s been in use for more than three times the length of their degree. Yikes.
Here’s how those 39 answers break down:
| Replacement cycle | Number of universities | Our assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 2-3 years | 7 of 39 (18%) | Roughly in line with heavy-use guidance |
| 4-5 years | 14 of 39 (36%) | The most common answer given |
| 6-7 years | 12 of 39 (31%) | Pushing well past recommended lifespan |
| 8-10 years | 6 of 39 (15%) | Longer than most homeowners keep a mattress |
Overall, just 18% of universities with a set replacement timeframe replace their mattresses within two to three years. Meanwhile, almost half (46%) keep them for six years or longer. That's potentially six different students, with different weights and sleeping habits, all using the same mattress night after night.
By that point, signs of wear like sagging, stains or damaged seams shouldn’t be ignored. If a mattress has seen better days, it’s time to replace it with a new single mattress rather than expecting another student to sleep on it.
The Top 10 Universities Worst Affected by Bed Bugs
So, where are students reporting the biggest bed bug problems?
As part of our report, we ranked universities by bed bug reports per 1,000 bed spaces over the three years from 2022 to 2025. This means larger universities with more students don't automatically find themselves crawling to the top of the list.
| Rank | University | Bed spaces | Bed bug reports (3yr) | Reports per 1,000 beds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | De Montfort University, Leicester | 442 | 38 | 86.0 |
| 2 | University of East London | 1,169 | 69 | 59.0 |
| 3 | Queen Mary University of London | 2,608 | 130 | 49.8 |
| 4 | University of London | 1,711 | 82 | 47.9 |
| 5 | London South Bank University | 1,338 | 61 | 45.6 |
| 6 | King's College London | 1,602 | 62 | 38.7 |
| 7 | London School of Economics | 2,048 | 66 | 32.2 |
| 8 | University of Westminster | 806 | 12 | 14.9 |
| 9 | Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge | 1,750 | 25 | 14.3 |
| 10 | University of the Arts London | 801 | 11 | 13.7 |
De Montford University in Leicester claimed the unwanted number one position on the list with a staggering 86 reported bed bug incidents per 1,000 beds. That’s 27 more reports per 1,000 beds than the University of East London, which came second with 59.
Queen Mary University of London had the most total bed bug reports over the three years, with 130 incidents. However, with 2,608 bed spaces, it dropped to third once we accounted for the size of its student accommodation.
Not-so-fun fact: Queen Mary University of London accounted for 10.6% of all bed bug reports recorded in our university data.
8 of the Top 10 are in London
Eight of the 10 universities worst affected by reported bed bugs are based in London, making the capital a clear hotspot in our findings.
There are a few reasons why London could be particularly prone to the problem. It has a huge student population, plenty of shared accommodation and millions of people travelling in, out and around the capital. Bed bugs are expert hitchhikers, travelling on luggage, clothing and other belongings, so all that movement gives them plenty of opportunities to find somewhere new to call home.
In fact, De Montfort University in Leicester and Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge were the only two universities outside London to make the top 10.
Worst Offending University in Each Region
Bed bug reports vary considerably depending on where in the UK students are studying. So, we broke our findings down by region to reveal the university worst affected in each part of the country.
| Region | Worst university in the region | Reports (3 years) | Reports per 1,000 beds |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Midlands | De Montfort University | 38 | 86.0 |
| London | University of East London | 69 | 59.0 |
| East of England | Anglia Ruskin University | 25 | 14.3 |
| South East | University of Southampton | 66 | 10.7 |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | University of York | 45 | 6.6 |
| South West | University of Exeter | 36 | 6.1 |
| Scotland | University of Edinburgh | 52 | 5.6 |
| Northern Ireland | Queen's University Belfast | 18 | 5.2 |
| North East | Northumbria University | 10 | 4.7 |
| North West | Lancaster University | 23 | 3.4 |
| Wales | Aberystwyth University | 9 | 2.9 |
| West Midlands | Keele University | 7 | 2.8 |
With De Montfort University topping our overall rankings, the East Midlands was the worst-affected region, followed by London, where the University of East London recorded 59 reports per 1,000 bed spaces.
At the other end of the scale, some areas came out much cleaner than others. The West Midlands, as opposed to their East counterparts, were actually the cleanest for bed bug reports, with Keele University being their worst at just 2.8 reports per 1,000 beds.
As with our overall rankings, these figures are based on recorded reports, and differences in how universities record and manage incidents should be kept in mind when comparing results.
Bed Bug Reports Are On The Rise at Some Universities
We also compared bed bug reports from 2022/23 with the latest 2024/25 figures to see where the biggest increases occurred.
| University | 2022/23 reports | 2024/25 reports | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of the Arts London | 1 | 6 | +500% |
| University of Southampton | 5 | 27 | +440% |
| Oxford Brookes University | 2 | 10 | +400% |
| University of Kent | 1 | 5 | +400% |
| London School of Economics | 12 | 35 | +192% |
The University of the Arts London saw bed bug reports increase fivefold in the three years, while the University of Southampton went from five to 27 reports, a huge increase of +440%.
Oxford Brookes University and the University of Kent both recorded four times as many reports as they did two years earlier, while the London School of Economics rose from 12 to 35, an increase of 192%
Why University Accommodation Can Be a Hotspot for Bed Bugs
With 1,224 bed bug reports recorded across the universities in our study, why can student accommodation be such a hotspot for these unwanted guests?
Martin Seeley explains that it has little to do with how clean a student keeps their room, and much more to do with the number of people and their belongings coming and going.
“Bed bugs aren’t a sign that a student or their accommodation is dirty. They’re expert hitchhikers and can be brought into a room on luggage, clothing and other belongings. That makes university accommodation particularly vulnerable, with large numbers of students moving in and out and travelling throughout the year.
“Once they make their way into a bedroom, mattresses give bed bugs plenty of places to hide, particularly around seams, stitching and folds. They can also hide in bed frames, headboards and other furniture, which is why simply replacing a mattress won’t necessarily get rid of an infestation.
“I’d also recommend using a mattress protector in shared accommodation. While it won’t stop bed bugs from entering a room, it provides a washable barrier between the student and the mattress, while also protecting it against sweat, spills, stains and allergens throughout the year.”
How Students Can Protect Themselves Against Bed Bugs
Moving into new student accommodation can and should be exciting. But before unpacking, it’s worth taking a few minutes to check your new sleeping space. After all, you’ll be spending around a third of your university life asleep!
Start with the mattress before making the bed, paying particular attention to the seams, stitching, edges and folds, as well as underneath it. If anything doesn’t look right, take clear photos and report it to your accommodation team straight away.
Our report also found that 54% of universities have no formal mattress replacement policy, so it’s worth asking when your mattress was last replaced and what the procedure is if yours is damaged, stained or uncomfortable.
If you do suspect bed bugs, Martin recommends resisting the temptation to start moving your belongings or getting rid of the mattress yourself:
“If you do suspect bed bugs, don’t simply throw the mattress away or start moving your belongings into another room. Bed bugs can hide in bed frames, furniture and other areas around the bed, so replacing the mattress alone may not solve the problem and moving things around could spread them further.
“Report it to your accommodation team as soon as possible so it can be properly investigated and treated. In the meantime, keep bedding clean and avoid moving anything from the affected room until you’ve been advised it’s safe to do so.”
How Can an Old University Mattress Affect Your Health and Sleep?
Bed bugs aren’t the only concern with a heavily used university mattress. We asked Dr Roger Henderson, an NHS Doctor and Medical Expert at MattressNextDay, what years of heavy use can mean for students' health and sleep.
“A mattress naturally accumulates dust, skin cells and allergens over time, so for people who are sensitive to things like dust mites, this can cause symptoms such as sneezing, a blocked or runny nose, itchy eyes and skin, and may worsen asthma.”
An old or sagging mattress can also start to interfere with sleep, particularly if it becomes uncomfortable or no longer offers the same level of support. For students, Dr Henderson says this can be particularly important during exam season:
“For students, this is particularly relevant during exam season. Sleep is essential for concentration, learning, memory and emotional resilience, so if a mattress is uncomfortable and causing someone to wake repeatedly, struggle to get comfortable or wake with back stiffness, it’s worth considering whether it’s the sleeping environment that is contributing to poor sleep.”
However, age alone isn't necessarily a reason for students to be concerned. Dr Henderson recommends paying more attention to the condition of the mattress and how it actually feels to sleep on:
“Look at how it feels and whether it is visibly sagging or damaged. If it’s clearly interfering with sleep or causing discomfort, that’s a good reason to raise the issue with your accommodation provider.”
You’ll spend around a third of your university life in bed, so if your mattress has clearly seen better days, don’t just put up with it. Raise it with your accommodation provider and find out what they can do.
Methodology
To collect this data, we sent Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to a list of 165 recognised universities in the UK with a range of questions related to:
- How many beds there are in student accommodation
- If the university has a formal mattress replacement policy
- After how many years mattresses are routinely replaced
- How often mattresses are cleaned or sanitised
- How many reports of bed bugs were recorded
- How many rooms required pest control treatment for bed bugs
For this, we asked for three years of data, from 2022-23 to 2024-25. 105 universities replied with their data, while 60 either didn’t have halls of residence or didn’t provide an answer.
Note to editors: These figures are based on recorded bed bug reports, rather than independently verified infestations. Reporting and record-keeping practices can differ between universities, with some potentially having more robust systems for identifying, recording and responding to incidents than others. A higher number of reports therefore doesn’t necessarily indicate poorer accommodation or a more severe bed bug problem, but reflects the incidents recorded in the data provided to us.
