Vision Says:
Today Vision has gone some way in proving what most second and third-years know already: moving into the private sector carries its pitfalls. No student newspaper has the resources to carry out a fully representative survey of the university populace, but out of the 112 random students we did ask, nearly half raised serious issues with either their landlord or their letting agency. Our survey also indicates that it is the latter that are more likely to let their student tenants down. AP York is one of the largest letting agencies for York students, but it also has one of the worst reputations. In our small sample alone, students have told us about their never ending maintenance issues that can often take weeks to resolve. Respondents told us again and again about their problems with lack of hot water, mould and burst pipes to name a few.
Although private landlords don’t come out of the survey blame free, the difference in the proportion of complaints is considerably less. Clearly a landlord with only a few properties will be more concerned about your needs than a faceless letting agent with hundreds. With that said, it is also worth noting that rents with private landlords are usually considerably less than with the large letting agents such as Sinclair’s, AP and Adam Bennett; so although Week 3 is one of the busiest weeks in the year for students to secure their let, it’s worth waiting till next Tuesday when the University’s private accommodation list comes out.
Thumbs up to:
Goodricke Vice Chair for Democracy & Welfare, Peter Sharpe. In a matter of weeks Sharpe has managed to do for free what Dan Walker couldn’t do in six months with a five-figue salary. Embarrassingly, in what is a common theme for Democracy and Services candidates, naive promises are made without any understanding of the realities of the job. Walker promised back in the election to drive a bus to Morrisons himself if need be, unaware this would be impossible due to insurance reasons.
Sharpe negotiating a bus service travelling to the Asda in Monks Cross to extend its route to the Heslington East campus is a practical solution to a college which is a 45 minute walk to the nearest supermarket. Goodricke College are lucky to have him.
Thumbs down to:
The University’s decision to prevent non first-years from applying for on-campus accommodation. Although prioritising freshers is understandable, this move affects a number of students who, for a myriad of reasons, choose not to go with the private sector. All students should be given the option to live on campus if they so wish. In particular, third-years returning from a year abroad will be worst hit as their ability to secure private accommodation when they are on the other side of the Atlantic is somewhat limited.
This shortage illustrates yet again that continued investment in expanding the University is vital. By 2012, an extra 650 places will be created when Langwith College relocates to Hes East. Here’s hoping this grants the University more flexibility so that all students have a choice.