Sticking up for student neighbours

We have lived at our property in south Leamington for the past 19 years, in the road are a mixture of privately owned, privately rented and student homes.

The three houses directly opposite ours are a pair of semi-detached student properties and a detached privately rented home.

The student properties are rented through Warwick University for two years at a time, the privately rented home leases for between six and 12 months, at the end of every lease term the privately rented home is vacated - far more transient tenants than the students.

We have never experienced late night parties or crime from the student properties, on the other hand over the years the privately rented home has had drugs raids, street fights, parties a plenty and many a rowdy family screaming match.

The students have taken part in street litter picks, neighbourhood watch, helped start cars, fixed a mobility scooter, bought ours and our neighbours’ children sweets on Halloween and many, many more acts of kindness and good deeds. However, this cannot be said for the privately rented home.

The fact students occupy properties in south Leamington favours south Leamington residents with an additional bus route into town, something of a bonus in my opinion. Students at the end of each term bag up their rubbish and leave it out as stated in their contracts to be disposed of by their landlords. If their landlords then choose to take their time in collection and disposal this is not down to the student, so why suggest blame when they have done exactly what has been required of them?

We would have student properties over privately rented any day of the week, but a good story doesn’t make a good news story does it? - Name and address supplied.