Helpland Comment on Increased Numbers of Student Tenants

Tenant eviction service providers Helpland give their comments regarding the student rental market. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) August 06, 2011 - Landlords in university towns are likely to benefit from a surge in student applications and while this is good news for landlords, this also means that there are likely to be more instances where landlords need help to evict tenants. Research has shown that students can be one of the groups in society who allow landlords some of the highest yields. However, financial pressure on students following substantial rises in tuition fees could mean some also unfortunately become more likely to undergo tenant eviction.

Full time UK students are often extremely dependent on the student loan system for financial support. Yet according to statistics from the National Union of Students, processing backlogs left 16% in financial crisis this July before the new academic year had even begun. The vast majority of students are also not entitled to housing benefit or any other forms of state financial support. Sadly, there have been well publicised cases where individual students have run up thousands of pounds worth of rent arrears.

Lee Daniels of Helpland Limited, a national advice service for Landlords says "Landlords can find themselves in an extremely awkward position. Students do face more financial challenges than ever before now, and it can affect their ability to keep up with rent payments. At the same time, landlords cannot usually afford to bear the financial impact of prolonged rent arrears. With any type of tenant, things can even get to the point where the landlord cannot keep up with their own mortgage, due to rent arrears. Landlords can be personally very reluctant to evict tenants if they are students; they often appreciate the pressures of university life. Yet they may still need to do so, just to maintain their own financial wellbeing,"

There have also been occasional high profile cases reported in the media of damage to property and nuisance behaviour affecting neighbours. Problems could arise through if traditional student culture of 'parties and drinking games' develops into different, rather more serious nuisance behaviours. Universities are beginning to recognise this phenomenon and take some remedial steps, but ultimately landlords are in the front line here. Some behaviour could fall under a Section 8 eviction notice (professional advice should always be sought to clarify the situation).

"It is very difficult when any tenant, student or not, engages in behaviour which is likely to seriously upset the neighbours, and/or cause damage to the property. Most people understand there is a big difference between a bit of temporary mess from an end of exams party and the rather more serious anti-social issues. Students are no different to any other group in this respect. There is simply a very small minority of individuals in every group in society who persist in causing distressing problems for their neighbours and for the landlords. Tenant eviction swiftly becomes a priority, yet many landlords are unaware of the law, and their rights. Professional support is essential," said Mr Daniels.
Landlords concerned about any aspect of tenant eviction can use the free helpline provided by Helpland on 0845 450 0536, or visit the website at www.helpland.co.uk

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