A group of sunbathing first-year students were shocked to discover a homeless lodger living in the garden shed of their student house.

The students were making the most of the hot weather on Tuesday 21 April when they discovered items belonging to a mystery guest after they looked in their garden shed.

One of the students told gair rhydd: “We had decided to go and revise on the roof of the shed when we came across a hole up there. When we looked inside we saw a mattress on the floor, as well as biscuits, bottled water and clothes.”

The house on Ruthin Gardens is part of Cardiff University’s Senghenydd residences and the students quickly reported the discovery to staff at Senghenydd reception.

After explaining the events, the students were told that security guards would be sent to investigate.

They were disappointed with the lack of support and advice from University staff, saying: “It was obvious that they didn’t believe us when we told them about the lodger and they were really unhelpful about it!”

When University security guards and maintenance staff visited the house they secured the shed to prevent further intrusions by sealing the door from the alleyway behind the house where it is believed that the lodger entered.

The residents told gair rhydd that they still do not think that enough has been done by University staff: “They just walked into the house without saying anything and left without explaining what they had done. We haven’t been kept informed at all.”

This is not the first unfortunate incident these students have had to contend with as they have recently suffered a series of bad luck.

Their belongings were stolen on pancake day and they have also reported a bicycle theft, but they said: “This is the weirdest thing that has happened – you never expect to find someone living in your shed!”