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| Survey uncovers vermin- infested lives of students A survey by the NUS has found that nearly one in six students lives in a vermin-infested house. The Housing and Health Survey 2001 found that 16% of students have digs addled with pests such as rats, mice, ants, and cockroaches. Findings also show that almost half have never seen a gas safety check certificate, which by law landlords are required to show them. Just as many of those surveyed by the National Union of Students reported damp in their house, while 40% said they had mould, which is most prevalent in kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms. Almost all said that some repair was needed on their property, 20% said they did not have a smoke detector, and 50% had no locks on doors or windows. Housing was also a factor contributing to the bad health of some students, with 12.5% saying that they suffered from problems such as asthma due to their poor accommodation. Students plan to descend on Westminster on October 31 for a NUS-sponsored "Halloween House of Horrors" lobby to bring the poor state of student accommodation to the Government's attention. It will call on ministers to enforce a scheme of licensing for all housing with multiple occupants, not just students, to ensure that accommodation is of a reasonable standard. NUS welfare vice-president, Claire Kober, said: "The conditions revealed by our survey show that students are being treated as second-class citizens. "Up to 80% of their student loan is spent on rent - the least they deserve is safe and secure housing conducive to study." 29th October 2001 |
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