First landlords event a success

The key aims of the event were to provide an update on developments at Sussex and to share ideas and other updates together, all targeted towards improving the standard of local student housing.

The event attracted more than 60 landlords who, between them, own over 150 student properties (approximately 500 bed-spaces).

The event was organised by the University’s Housing Office , and principally by its Housing Negotiator, Luke Taylor , who is funded via a strategic partnership between Sussex, the University of Brighton and Brighton and Hove City Council. The strategic housing partnership aims to make best use of resources and develop a coordinated approach to student and family housing in the city.

Sussex provided an update on

• key housing developments on campus and in the city,
• the University’s strategy for housing development on campus,
• support for students in searching for and securing private housing,
• examples of student community engagement approach,
• social-media techniques
• and the latest developments about the database of some 1,200 properties on StudentPad.

Private landlords registered on StudentPad sign up for free to a Code of Standards and charge no fees or commission to students.

The second presentation focused on broader developments in the city, including Brighton and Hove City Council’s new licencing proposals, changes to student housing deposit arrangements, a new Letting Agency Accreditation Scheme, and consultation of Article 4 planning enforcement proposals. Information about the new Private Sector Leasing Scheme was also provided.

Dean Spears , Housing Services Manager, said: “It was great to see so many student landlords sharing ideas together about how to improve the student experience of living in the city.

"We have been working closely with many of the landlords for at least 15 years, and welcome those new to StudentPad and the Private Sector Leasing Scheme, together with recognising the need to coordinate and make best use of our limited resources via this new partnership - with thanks to Luke Taylor.”

Brighton and Hove City Council’s Environmental Health team were also on hand, along with community liaison officers from the University of Brighton.

The second event will take place on Monday (18 June) at the University of Brighton.

Sussex students can find information to help with their search for private-sector housing by chatting with the Housing Office team , joining over 500 others on Facebook , or via the Housing Office web-pages , which attract 7,000 hits a month and include information, short films and property hunt check-lists focused on:

By: Dean Spears
Last updated: Friday, 15 June 2012

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