One in five students in the UK are 'living in squalor', official figures show, in a new warning to landlords who flout the law.
Universities Minister Chris Skidmore said homeowners who break the rules with those in education will face a crackdown under new laws that now give tenants the power to take them to court.
Speaking to students, the Minister hit out at private landlords who do not fulfil their responsibilities, resulting in some students encountering poor conditions such as a lack of heating or hot water.
Further figures suggest that one in five live in ‘squalor’ and have seen mice, slugs, and other vermin infesting their accommodation.
New regulations came into force last week giving students and renters the right to take landlords to court where they fail to address serious defects in homes such as mould, damp and safety hazards.
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The Minister described the regulations as a ‘milestone’ for student renters, helping to raise standards in student accommodation and hold landlords more accountable for their actions and responsibilities.
Universities Minister Chris Skidmore said: "Students’ time at university should be some of the best days of their lives and yet I have heard appalling stories of students living in terrible conditions, which can affect their studies and even their mental health.
"While there are many landlords who do take their responsibilities seriously, for too long rogue private landlords have been exploiting vulnerable students by failing to provide even basic standards of living.
"Now the time is up for these landlords making a profit from shoddy accommodation. These new regulations make landlords more accountable, helping to improve standards, and students should use their powers to make sure landlords face justice where they’re not fulfilling their responsibilities."
Minister for Housing Heather Wheeler MP added: "For the last year, we have worked tirelessly to ensure all tenants, including students, have access to a fairer private rented market across the country.
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"From cracking down on unnecessary costs through our Tenant Fees Act, extending HMO regulations to offer protections to more tenants than ever before and giving councils the funding they need to tackle rogue landlords, we are determined to make renting of the standard it should be.
"Now, these changes are set to have a real impact. Students must use these powers to crackdown on poor quality accommodation and opportunistic landlords profiting from tenants’ misery."
