University students in Scotland have initiated a nationwide campaign aimed at addressing the challenges posed by rising rents and poor living conditions. This movement, part of the National Union of Students (NUS), seeks to combat rogue landlords and improve student housing regulations. Campaigners highlight that many students are enduring unsafe living situations, including abusive relationships and infestations, just to avoid homelessness.

Justine Pédussel, President of Stirling University Student Union, explained that a coalition of student leaders across Scotland came together to tackle these issues collectively. They identified significant problems stemming from the exclusion of student housing from rent control protections established by the 2016 Tenancy Act. This lack of regulation has led to various issues for student renters, such as high accommodation costs and inadequate living conditions.

Statistics reveal troubling trends: over 34% increases in bespoke student accommodation prices have been reported, with 93% of student renters facing housing issues. Many students experience problems like mould or mildew (42%), heating or cooling failures (41%), and pest infestations (22%).

Oluwatomisin Osinubi, President of Glasgow Caledonian University Student Association, emphasized that students often lack proper renting rights. The current system requires UK-based guarantors for private rentals, which can lead low-income or international students into precarious situations where they may end up homeless or forced into unsuitable living arrangements.

The campaign has garnered mixed reactions from political parties as NUS advocates for changes in the Scottish Government’s Housing Bill. Some parties have shown interest in addressing these concerns while others remain resistant to enhancing protections for students.

A recent amendment to this bill aims to include rent control measures and notice protections specifically for students residing in university halls and purpose-built accommodations. This change has been welcomed by campaigners who argue that it is essential for ensuring fair treatment in the rental market.

As discussions continue around this important issue, a final vote on the Housing Bill is anticipated later this year.

Original article (scotland)

This article is all about a big problem that students in Scotland are facing with their housing. It tells us how students are trying to make things better by asking the government to change some rules. The article gives us important facts and numbers to show how serious the issue is. While it doesn't tell us exactly what we can do to help, it does teach us about the challenges students face and how they're trying to fix them. It's like a story that helps us understand a real-life problem and how people are working together to make things fairer. It doesn't give us a step-by-step plan, but it shows us that these issues are important and that people are trying to make a change.

"Campaigners highlight that many students are enduring unsafe living situations, including abusive relationships and infestations, just to avoid homelessness."

This sentence uses strong language to evoke emotions and highlight the severity of the issue. The word "enduring" implies a long-term, difficult struggle, and the mention of "abusive relationships" and "infestations" paints a disturbing picture. It aims to gain sympathy and support for the students' cause.

The text evokes a range of emotions, primarily centered around concern, frustration, and a sense of injustice. These emotions are expressed through the description of students' challenging living conditions and the systemic issues they face.

The emotion of concern is evident throughout the text as it highlights the unsafe and unhealthy living situations students are enduring. Phrases like "enduring unsafe living situations," "abusive relationships," and "infestations" evoke a sense of worry and empathy for the students' well-being. This concern is further emphasized by the statistics, which reveal a high percentage of students facing housing issues, including mould, heating failures, and pest problems. The use of specific percentages adds credibility to the concerns and emphasizes the scale of the problem.

Frustration and anger are also present, particularly in the description of the lack of regulation and the exclusion of student housing from rent control protections. The text states that this has led to high accommodation costs and inadequate living conditions, which is a direct result of the current system. The students' lack of proper renting rights and the requirement for UK-based guarantors are seen as unfair and restrictive, causing frustration for those affected and those advocating for change.

The emotion of fear is subtly implied, especially in the context of students facing homelessness or being forced into unsuitable living arrangements. This fear is a powerful motivator, as it highlights the potential consequences of the current system and the need for urgent action.

These emotions are strategically employed to guide the reader's reaction and evoke a sense of sympathy and understanding for the students' struggles. By highlighting the personal stories and experiences of student leaders, the text builds trust and a connection with the reader. The use of statistics and specific examples adds credibility to the concerns, making the issues more tangible and real.

The writer's choice of words and phrases, such as "rogue landlords," "unsafe living situations," and "precarious situations," are emotionally charged and create a sense of urgency and injustice. The repetition of the word "issues" and the use of phrases like "facing homelessness" and "forced into unsuitable living arrangements" emphasize the severity of the problem and the need for immediate action.

By employing these emotional strategies, the text aims to persuade the reader of the importance and urgency of the campaign. It seeks to change the reader's opinion, encouraging them to support the NUS's advocacy for enhanced protections for students and to recognize the need for systemic change in the Scottish Government's Housing Bill. The text effectively uses emotion to engage the reader and inspire action, ensuring that the campaign's message is not only heard but also understood and supported.