Mould and damp a problem for majority of students

Mould and damp a problem for majority of students

0:01 AM, 3rd May 2023, About A year ago 11

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More than half of students living in the private rented sector (PRS) are living with mould or damp, according to a new study.

The research by SOS UK and Universities UK reveals 57% of students have experienced condensation in their current accommodation.

And nearly half (49%), also said their accommodation is poorly insulated and draughty.

‘These results are sadly not a huge surprise’

A massive 70% of students say they limit the length of time they have their heating on to save money on energy bills. A further 12% said they have been unable to pay their energy bills at the final reminder.

Over half of students (59%) said they have felt uncomfortably cold in their current accommodation. Of these, 48% said feeling uncomfortably cold makes them feel anxious or depressed.

Tom Allingham, the head of communications at Save the Student, said: “While concerning, these results are sadly not a huge surprise.

“Our recent National Student Accommodation Survey 2023 found that 95% of students with bills worry about the rising cost, with 64% saying they struggle with the cost either some or all of the time.”

He added: “Faced with sky-high energy costs, and little to no support to help cover them, students have had no choice but to keep the heating off and leave their homes at risk of developing damp and mould.

“The government must accept responsibility for this and factor students into all current and future energy bill support.”

‘Negative impact on students education’

A Universities UK spokesperson said: “The latest findings from the Homes fit for study survey are concerning. Students are struggling to deal with rising costs, fuel poverty and are living in poorly maintained privately rented accommodation, all of which is having a negative impact on their education.

“Landlords and government need to work together to protect future generations of students from fuel poverty, as well as accelerating the UK towards net zero.  Landlords should prioritise insulating and upgrading their properties, and government needs to support this work.”

Affordability contributed to their choice of accommodation

However, 61% of students in the PRS said they were satisfied with their current accommodation.

Over half (53%) of students say they chose to live in private rented sector accommodation due to it being convenient to get to their place of study.

A further 47% said affordability contributed to their choice of accommodation.


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Comments

Judith Wordsworth

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21:12 PM, 3rd May 2023, About A year ago

Hate to say but I personally feel Universities should be providing on campus student accommodation for all years not just 1st years.

Some Uni's do but most don't.

Most student from year 2 onwards don't have a choice but to rent rooms in student HMO's.

Whiteskifreak Surrey

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21:27 PM, 3rd May 2023, About A year ago

We have been renting to students for approx 12 years. Our houses are mould-free and all are EPC C.
At the beginning of the tenancy they get from us an info how to avoid mould - simple rules how to ventilate, heat, dry the clothes, what to do if any trace of mould should appear, etc... they need to read it and sign.
Saying that, the current lot lives in an extremely cold house, they probably do not have much money to heat it. So what is happening in corners we do not know...
“Landlords and government need to work together to protect future generations of students from fuel poverty, as well as accelerating the UK towards net zero. Landlords should prioritise insulating and upgrading their properties, and government needs to support this work.”
Wonderful wishful thinking which will never materialise, neither with this or any other government.
Net zero very likely will bring ever worse, cold and damp homes.

Annie

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1:29 AM, 30th August 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Whiteskifreak Surrey at 03/05/2023 - 21:27
Would you be willing to share that document with info and rules that you provide to your student tenant please?
Very keen to introduce this fit this academic year. Thank you

Grumpy Doug

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7:18 AM, 30th August 2023, About A year ago

There are a number of things that I do as standard.
Positive input ventilation units fitted to all houses
Passive vents in rooms prone to mould (don't buy the expensive ones, just make your own with dense Rockwool)
Powerful in-line extractors in bathrooms
Motion sensor switches on extractors so when they have a shower in the day the extractor is switched on
A common sense welcome document that covers all the bases
Regular inspections

Whiteskifreak Surrey

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11:32 AM, 6th September 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Annie at 30/08/2023 - 01:29
HI Annie, apologies I only read it now, of course I am happy to share the wording.
Please let me know your email an I will send it to you.
Regards
WSF

Annie

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14:22 PM, 6th September 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Whiteskifreak Surrey at 06/09/2023 - 11:32
I have sent you a message. Thank you.
Regards,
Annie

Whiteskifreak Surrey

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22:43 PM, 6th September 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Annie at 06/09/2023 - 14:22
Hi Annie - I have replied just a moment ago.
Good luck!

Sam B

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9:31 AM, 7th September 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Whiteskifreak Surrey at 03/05/2023 - 21:27
Hiya I don't suppose you could also send me a copy of what you give to your students to sign?

Kind Regards, Sam.

Whiteskifreak Surrey

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21:17 PM, 7th September 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Sam B at 07/09/2023 - 09:31
Yes, I will be happy to send it. Please let me know how.

Sam B

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10:55 AM, 8th September 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Whiteskifreak Surrey at 07/09/2023 - 21:17
Thank you much appreciated. I will private message my email.

Kind regards, Sam.

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