Dismore presses for more affordable rents for students
Andrew Dismore AM with Cllr Nagus Narenthira, Cllr Alison Moore and students from Middlesex University
Labour London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden Andrew Dismore has called for a greater focus on the needs of students when making housing policy. Speaking after visiting Middlesex University in North London, Mr Dismore said many students were not aware of their rights, as it was the first time they were living away from home and their first experience of the private rental market.
Mr Dismore said:
‘I was particularly struck by the model houses in an exhibit, where students had written comments in the windows on their experiences. It can be tough with bad landlords, poor quality housing, overcrowding and still extremely expensive.’
‘The Mayor of London must work with universities and student unions to ensure students know their rights and get the most affordable deal for their housing. The private rental market in London is at saturation point as it is, driving rents up. This is becoming a top cost and concern for students in London. The sooner we take action the better.’
‘Even in outer London areas like Barnet those same pressures exist. The concerns I heard at Middlesex are the same I hear at SOAS or UCL. Students make an immense contribution to London, and we aren’t doing enough to provide them with an acceptable standard of living.’
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Text of motion by Andrew Dismore AM to London Assembly Plenary on 3rd March 2016:
This Assembly recognises that students studying in London are especially vulnerable when renting privately.
For many, this will be the first time they are away from home and the first time they have entered the private rental market, and at time when they are unlikely to be aware of their rights.
Students are also likely to experience excessive rents and unfair estate agent charges.
The Assembly therefore calls on the Mayor to pay particular attention to the needs of students in his housing policies, with particular reference to ensuring that they are protected from bad landlords, including a campaign working with universities and college authorities and student unions, to ensure students are aware of their rights as tenants and how to enforce them.
