'Remain respectful': Leeds students moving out this week warned over rubbish, noise and fines
’There can be no excuse for waste being dumped on the street’
Thousands of students preparing to move out of their accommodation in Leeds this week are being urged to "remain respectful" as the annual changeover period gets underway.
Leeds City Council has joined forces with the city's universities, landlords and student housing charity Unipol to help manage the busy moving period, with extra support aimed at reducing noise, fly-tipping and waste in student areas.
The campaign comes as many student tenancies end this month, with students encouraged to donate, recycle or responsibly dispose of unwanted items rather than leaving rubbish on the streets.
Last year, more than 45 tonnes of reusable goods were collected and redistributed through local charities, while food donations were also made to community organisations, the council said.
It added that additional street cleaning crews, refuse collection vehicles and wardens will be deployed across Leeds during the changeover, and fines can be issued for those who fail to dispose of waste properly.
The local authority’s deputy Leader and executive member for communities and community safety, Mary Harland, and executive member for environment, James Gibson, said: “Leeds is very proud to be one of the biggest and most popular student cities in the country, and we are pleased to again be working with all the Leeds universities, landlords and agents to help support students leaving or changing their accommodation this summer.
“We want students to enjoy their final days in their current accommodation, and we’d just ask that they remain respectful of their neighbours and the wider community. We’re encouraging everyone to celebrate safely and responsibly, with no behaviour that causes disturbance or inconvenience to others.
“We are also offering extra facilities and support to students, landlords, agents and all parties to ensure waste is disposed of appropriately, so there can be no excuse for waste being dumped on the street or in public spaces. Moving on in a responsible and positive way is the key message for all.”
Unipol has launched its annual ‘moving out’ webpage offering information on how to donate, recycle or dispose of unwanted items, with maps of donation bank locations.
The council said it has contacted landlords and lettings agents reminding them of their responsibilities to ensure their tenants dispose of their waste legally, contained in bins or via recycling banks.
Lucy Hart, the incoming Union Affairs and Community Officer at Leeds University Union, added: “Changeover is a challenging period for students, particularly when there is no crossover period from one property to the other.
"Students' financial challenges exacerbate this as they try to find the most affordable way to move. More support during this period is what students need. It is great to see the collaboration between Leeds City Council, universities, charities and Unipol coming together to support students this year.