Most Students Get On With Their Landlord
Despite the commonly held view that landlords exploit student tenants, a survey highlights that students are happy with the services and living conditions being provided by landlords.
The research from a student property app found that 63% of students said they were satisfied with their living conditions.
Also, more than half of the students questioned said they believed their rent was good value.
However, just 7.5% said they were dissatisfied with the landlord's general behaviour and communication.
Renting property to students still delivers a lucrative opportunity
The firm behind the survey says that renting property to students still delivers a lucrative opportunity for a buy to let investor as students tend to be reliable tenants with access to a steady income stream via grants and loans.
Also, most student tenants are also supported by a parent guarantor, which helps reduce the risk of default rent payments.
A spokesman said: "There are misconceptions over the relationship between landlords and student tenants but our research shows that most students are satisfied with the standard of accommodation and their landlord's behaviour. It's a real shift from previous years in the dynamic."
Landlords refusing to rent to some tenants, court hears
Meanwhile, the High Court has been told the numbers of landlords who are refusing to rent to British citizens from an ethnic minority background is increasing.
This is down to the 'hostile environment' created by the Home Office which is aimed at making it difficult for illegal immigrants to rent a property.
Among the range of measures include having landlords check all prospective tenants for their immigration status.
A landlord now faces the prospect of prosecution if they 'know or believe' that their property is being occupied by someone who doesn't have the right to live in the UK.
Landlord faces a potential prison sentence
If found guilty, the landlord faces a potential prison sentence of up to five years or an unlimited fine.
The High Court case has been brought by the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants who were given permission for a judicial review.
The organisation told the court that the Right to Rent scheme presents 'huge burdens and risks' for landlords.
In addition, the court heard that BAME British citizens are being 'treated less favourably' than white British citizens when they do not have a passport.
The Home Office says it will not comment while legal proceedings are ongoing.
