Please note! The photo collection above was taken the week the tenants moved into the property; that was its condition. The landlord charged them £25,680 per year for this and is still claiming against their deposit for elements that were broken or filthy when they moved in...

I am writing from a personal space of distress and concern. My son, a final year university student, was subjected to abysmal housing conditions in his expensive student let - a situation that is distressingly prevalent in Bristol. The list of issues experienced is long and far too common among student tenants on assured shorthold tenancies in the city.

It is reported that almost 30,000 students in the UK reported severe to mild problems with their rented accommodation in the past year, with unresolved issues ranging from damp, pests, dangerous facilities to unmaintained properties. Bristol, a popular university city, stands at the heart of this issue; a scenario which is unacceptable in one of the UK's well-respected educational cities (source: Unipol Student Homes).

Local housing regulations are failing in their duty to protect students from housing neglect. Tenants are suffering from inhumane living conditions, while their landlords benefit from high rent prices and the security of assured shorthold tenancies.

We, the tenants and concerned family members, urge Bristol City Council to enforce stricter regulations on student rentals, ensuring a more rigorous grievance redressal system, regular property condition checks and to hold erring landlords accountable.

If you are a parent, student, educator or concerned citizen who believes in the right to safe and humane living conditions for all, we ask you to sign this petition. Together, we can petition the Bristol City Council to act now before more students suffer.

Just from my own experience. These tenants paid a large rent/deposit. The flat was not cleaned before they moved in. It had ivy growing inside, caked on grime, mould and dirt, poor humidity, numerous broken and fire hazard items, and too much more to explain. And this is a single example. Plus, they were even charged for damaged units and a post-tenancy clean, even though there was no cleaning before they moved in, and the whole flat was gutted for refurbishment when they left. 

This terrible situation for so many students already at the most stressful time of their lives so far when they need support from professional services and companies is a growing stain on the UK and bad lettings agents/landlords.