The exciting new service is being led by the University’s former Private Sector Accommodation Officer, Madie Patel, who has over 20 years’ experience working in the Northampton student property market alongside the Union’s democratically elected student leaders.
 
Students’ Union President, Liam Bligh explained the rationale behind the launch of the agency as being the provision of the best possible deal for students.
 
“In 2015 we conducted a comprehensive survey of students living in private sector accommodation to get a sense of student satisfaction and key areas for improvement in which the Students’ Union could lend its support. What we found were a myriad of issues ranging from mould, damp and pest infestations through to undue pressure being placed on students to sign contracts.”
 
“Further, students continue to struggle with finances. Year on year students’ purses are stretched more and more and agency administration fees can be a significant burden on a student’s budget. Indeed, in NUS’ 2014 Homes Fit For Study Survey 37% of respondents reported they had entered into debt in order to meet their initial tenancy costs.”
 
“The Students’ Union’s new letting agency will bring together quality accreditation based on the University’s existing accreditation mechanisms and Decent and Safe Homes (DASH) accreditation scheme alongside a service that is free at the point of enquiry and application to students in an attempt to increase the quality of housing available to students, and reduce the cost.”
 
The Agency Manager, Madie Patel reiterated this key and unique difference from its competitors “The Union will not charge its students administration fees. This includes application fees, guarantor checks and check-out fees, which are common, non-refundable costs across the Northampton student market and could immediately stand to save students hundreds of pounds each academic year compared to other local providers.  At a time when NUS estimates students to leave University with up to £52 thousand of debt – every penny counts and this is one way in which the Students’ Union is supporting students in getting the best deal from their University experience.”
 
The Students’ Union letting agency will officially launch its services to students this August.

For more information contact Madie Patel on 01604 89 2434.

No Comments