Housing clampdown · Issue 859, by Jenny Colgan

The move to introduce a new licensing scheme for student housing could radically change the standard of accommodation for Cardiff students

Cardiff students could soon be enjoying a higher standard of living with the introduction of a new licence to enforce better quality housing conditions.

Intended for houses that hold five or more students over three or more floors, the licence ensures that all fire precautions, such as fire alarms and doors, must be in place and correctly installed.

There must also be sufficient facilities for storage, cooking and food preparation in the kitchen of the property, the licence decrees.

In addition to this, students will no longer have to live in rooms that are too small to be habitable, or endure inadequate toilet and bathroom facilities.

Students have been asked to send in the details of properties that they have previously lived in or are currently living in, so that licences can be enforced.

They have also been assured that correspondence will remain anonymous and confidential so that the service can try to enforce the licence without affecting student tenants.

Sam Tappenden, a third year History student, said: “Anything which aims to significantly improve the quality of life for students has got to be a good thing.

“The multi-agency approach should serve to improve housing for students with minimal stress,” he added.