Issue - meetings

The meeting will discuss housing issues in the area.  Representatives of letting agents, private student landlords, DeMontfort University Students Union and the City Council have been invited to attend the meeting.

Councillor Russell reminded those present that a wide range of issues had been considered at the last Joint Castle and Westcotes Community Meeting, one of which had been the upkeep of properties owned by landlords.  Some properties had been kept well, but others had not and, in respect of the latter, it could be difficult to make contact with the landlords.  As such, the Council wanted to know what problems were being encountered in relation to this, so that the Council could work with landlords to find suitable solutions to problems identified.

One resident reported that it appeared that, in Hazel Street, when a house became vacant, students were moved in, but always keeping the number below 4, so that a licence for a house in multiple occupation was not needed.  The effect was that the area had degenerated and was a “ghost town” in the summer.

Rental properties often were repaired in the cheapest way possible and this work often looked very cheap.  The quality of repairs also could affect who bought a property when it was sold on, as work done often was not appropriate to families, (for example if front gardens had been concreted over).  This led to areas slowly decaying.

The Council was commended for its work on clearing rubbish and the City Wardens were congratulated on the work they did to keep areas in good condition, but landlords did not appear to have the same interest in maintaining good standards in the area.  For example, they had been known to leave mattresses and sofas at the front of properties.

One example of the problems experienced was that wheeled refuse bins often were left out on the street and the City Wardens did not have the resources to deal with all of the problems being encountered.  It was suggested that one reason for this could be that landlords cleared out literature from properties, so students were not aware that they should be taking bins off the pavement.  The meeting felt that landlords appeared to be getting away with creating this sort of situation, but should be held responsible for ensuring that their tenants were informed of the requirements.

Councillor Russell advised the meeting that one thing the Council wanted to introduce for the next academic year was a requirement for landlords and letting agents to display a sign in each property telling tenants the basic levels of behaviour expected of them, (for example, that wheeled rubbish bins should not be left on the street and what items could be put in the green recycling boxes).

The following points also were made during discussion on this:-

§               Residents felt like they did not matter to the Council, as students always appeared to be put first.  In other parts of the country there were some good examples of how local authorities, universities and residents had worked together to overcome similar situations;

§               Legislation on the number of people who could share a property before a licence was needed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8