Unipol Training 29th-20th Aug (Leeds)

This training coincided nicely with a Bank Holiday trip home for me! The training itself is designed so I have more of an idea of what students rights are in relation to student accommodation. The two day event covered the following topics:

• Trends and Developments in Student Accommodation- growth of the private sector, the needs of students affordability, parents and the changing consumer;

• Housing and the Community- how students can help develop their community’s environmental and social capabilities and challenge the negative view of student disruptive presence in the community;

• Health, Safety and Standards in Student Housing- practical risk assessment and powers of enforcement;

• The Law: Can students agree to anything? What can be enforced and what cannot? Protected and unprotected tenancies, fair and unfair contact terms, small claims courts;

• The Housing Act 2004- Licensing, tenancy deposit protection Schemes;

• Dealing with Disputes- inter tenant friction, the uses of meditation.

The day helped to identify key issues of information, advocacy and campaigning. In particular it made me aware of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme. This scheme WILL affect you if you have signed for your house after 6th April 2007 and means that the deposit you paid for your student accommodation will have better protection so your landlords are less able to keep your money once your leave the property. HURRAY!! If you signed for a tenancy after 6th April 2007 you should ask how your tenancy id protected! For more information log onto www.unipol.org.uk