News from the Residential Property Investor, the bi-monthly magazine for RLA members other artilces from the April / May 04 issue RPI news archive

Manchester students look at becoming landlords - April / May 2004

Realities of the economics of letting are likely to be brought home to Manchester students as a result of a study into the feasibility of providing cooperatively owned accommodation.

'Students have the right to secure, affordable housing and the prospect of achieving this by cooperatively owning and managing their accommodation would make this one of the most exciting initiatives for decades', said NUS vice president for welfare Verity Coyle of the study being mounted by the National Union of Students, Manchester University, Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology.

'Many students outside halls of residence pay ridiculous rents and deposits for appalling accommodation with few guarantees and little or no security', she claimed. 'Co-op housing would put students in control sharing long term strategic responsibility and shorter term property management. Rents would reduce while still allowing commercially attractive returns on investment'.

Stephen Youd-Thomas of Co-operative Action which is helping to fund the study claimed the project would demonstrate co-op ethics to generations of young people. 'It will make a huge difference to housing standards and the costs of student life'.
 

other artilces from the April / May 2004 issue

• Standard response
• Agents and lenders are in bullish mood
• Landlords advised to check small print
• Landlord and agent pay for safety lapses
• Private rented sector 'stable'
• Manchester students look at becoming landlords
• Landlords leaving London market
• Local Housing Allowance to include landlord safeguards
• Landlord training
• Council threatens evictions over own delays
• In brief
• OFT calls for greater controls on estate agents
• Chancellor freezes stamp duty rates
• Pension possibilities