No sweet home for the student

9:08am Wednesday 19th September 2007

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WHEN I moved my son into his student flat last year it was with apprehension.

The contract he had signed was decidedly dodgy, but he had been coerced into quickly signing it. Of course, I was not to know until this year, when he left the property.

When I helped him move into his room (a converted cupboard) my observation of the house was of complete neglect; the landlord had done the bare minimum, and later I found out that he hadn't even bothered to do any health and safety checks. I noted in the kitchen small black bits that could have been mouse droppings.

The rent was an extortionate £3,000 a month. This, however, was shared between ten students. During the year my son, along with the other students, was turfed out of his flat whilst the landlord did minimal repair work. I wasn't impressed.

When my son finally left this year he was told his bond of £400 would not be returned because the house had been trashed by the students and required new carpets. The other students suffered the same fate. Obviously now this will have to go down a legal route Is the Government committed to creating future wealth and skills by easing the path of university students? I have contacted my local MP, Hugh Bayley, in the first instance to ask this question and would at the very least like this issue raised in Parliament.

York is a university town and I am sure my tale of woe can be repeated time and time again across this city. So what is your story?

Phil Shepherdson, Chantry Close, York