Students living in the Headingley, Burley and Hyde Park areas of Leeds say poor housing conditions in shared student properties have become increasingly difficult to live with during the colder months, with damp, mould and outdated appliances continuing to affect many homes.
Leeds is home to around 80,000 students during the academic year over its 5 universities.
According to propertistics.co.uk, around 65% of Headingley, Burley and Hyde Park residents are students.
Emily Grimsey, a student who rents locally, said, “It’s hard when you have to focus on exams whilst also worrying about mould or damp at home, but it’s all most people can afford, especially if they’re only working part-time.”
Although the Renters Rights Bill was passed in October last year, no changes will come into force until May, leaving many students frustrated as they continue to live in accommodation that they say is unsafe and unaffordable.
Leeds implemented an Article 4 direction in early 2012 to control the number of shared housing properties in the city.
Although this prevents further concentration of HMOs, it does not affect existing shared housing.
Councillors Abdul Hannan and Jonathan Pryor are pushing for stronger and expanded Article 4 powers to give the council greater control over the growth of HMOs and improve housing standards.
Students and councillors alike hope that combined action from local authorities and upcoming national legislation will eventually lead to safer and more affordable housing for Leeds’ student population.