Landlords: Time to urge student tenants to think about security
It's that time of year when students leave their rented student accommodation and head home for the festivities, but one police force is warning that it's time to think carefully about security before leaving for the Christmas break.
Avon and Somerset Police say that student houses that are left unoccupied are an easy target for burglars but there are some simple steps that students can do, and landlords should highlight the potential issues over security and theft from property to their tenants.
Steven Dexter is the neighbourhood constable for the University of the West of England (UWE) and his advice on how students can avoid ‘The Nightmare before Christmas’ includes understanding why a property should be left secured to keep belongings safe and secure so they will be there when students return in January.
Windows and doors
Steve says that while it might sound obvious to keep windows and doors locked, don’t assume that all housemates will do this. The doors include the front and back door, plus the bedroom door. Windows should have a lock so they can’t be easily forced open.
Valuables
Any student not taking laptops, bikes, or tablets home with them should ensure they are locked securely and, if possible, hidden away, out of sight from a window. Steve highlights that property can be registered for free at https://www.immobilise.com to help boost the chances of student tenants getting their belongings back should they be burgled. He highlights that it is not just about having pricey electronics stolen – but the hassle if the laptop has the student’s important work on it.
Bikes
Steve says that students should never leave a bike unlocked because they are always popular with thieves – especially expensive bikes. Even at home, the bike should be locked so a burglar who slips easily into a home won’t be tempted. If possible, lock the bike up in a bedroom rather than in a corridor. Also, use a D-lock which are harder to unlock – two is better!
Lights
Steve also recommends the old trick of leaving a light on when the property is empty, so it appears that someone is still living there. Students could consider using a timer for lights and/or a radio and ensure that there's no obstruction to the letterbox so post can be fully pushed through. It's also a good idea to put a ‘no junk mail” notice on the door to reduce items being left.
Social media
Another obvious and easy security trick for students to use is to be careful what they announce on social media because burglars read social media too. Students shouldn't tell anyone their address on social media or show images of the student home and then announce that they have left for their parents’ home.
Security tips for students and student landlords
The managing director of Accommodation for Students, Simon Thompson, said: “These security tips for students and student landlords are easy to understand and implement and I highly recommend that landlords have security conversations with student tenants on a regular basis to avoid leaving doors and windows unlocked, for example.”
Ireland funds new student beds
The growing issue of there not being enough student accommodation in many university towns and cities in the UK, has also been replicated in Ireland. However, the Irish government has announced that it will help pay for the building of new student homes in a bid to alleviate the country’s student housing shortage. In the short term, 667 new beds are going to be delivered on projects that already have planning permission.
University funding under scrutiny
Universities UK has revealed that it will be working with political parties, the government, students and staff, along with the wider public, about the future of university funding . The aim is to identify long-term approaches in dealing with the cash that universities receive for research and teaching. The current system is facing several challenges from universities and students and growing numbers of undergraduates are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis which is making their studies increasingly difficult.
Investing in student housing
While the UK student accommodation sector is facing a variety of problems, there's an interesting item in Property Week by Phil Greaves that offers hope for investors who may be worried about the turmoil facing the wider private rental sector. He highlights that a lack of student accommodation is exacerbating the cost of living crisis facing students and says landlords have done a lot to help. He calls for a government-funded programme to help retrofit energy saving measures to student homes so they can meet upcoming EPC regulations.
Christmas is not ‘banned’
It's that time of year for silly festive season stories, and here's one from Joe. It reports that the University of Brighton has told staff not to use the word Christmas as it moves away from ‘Christian- centric language’. After some criticism, the university says that its nine-page guidance was produced with students and staff and insists that the word Christmas has not been banned. The guidance also highlights that instead of referring to the Christmas period, lecturers should instead use the phrase ‘winter closure’.
