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FROM: CLLR. ALEX PERKINS (Lib Dem Leader Canterbury City Council)

The new leader of the City Council, Alex Perkins, has asked the new administration to look at some of the difficulties faced by residents in areas of the City, like Hales Place, which are now becoming dominated by student accommodation. The initiative is called the Student Landlord Awareness Project.

"Canterbury now has two universities and they are a vital part of our local economy", said Cllr Perkins. "Most of their students are extremely well behaved and are a credit to the City and to the universities they attend. I myself have neighbours who are students and they are perfect neighbours and a credit to the area. However, there are a minority who do cause huge distress through late night partying, loud music and anti-social behaviour.

Increasingly, investment purchasers are buying houses in areas like Hales Place in order to rent them to students. I want landlords to take ownership of the problems caused by their tenants. In some cases they already do - and I can give many examples of good-neighbour landlords. Some however seem to be ignoring the plight of local people who are left to pick up the pieces."

The Council Executive have welcomed the proposal and have called for consultation with the Universities, tenants and property owners and have asked for a legal report.

""Key to the proposals is accountability", said Alex Perkins. "When the universities register houses for rental I want them to guarantee that they will make the home phone numbers of the landlords available to the next door neighbours so that disturbed and distressed residents have a meaningful point of contact!"

"This is excellent news for local residents", said Cllr John Purchese who is the Liberal Democrat Cllr for Hales Place and the St.Stephens area. "This is real community action and I know that it will be very welcome in my patch. I have already contacted many local residents about this and they are delighted that the Council is at last taking action!"

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Contact Alex Perkins 07818 403049

Email : alex.perkins@canterbury.gov.uk

web : www.cantlibdem.com