Thursday 15 December 2011

Community Walkabout

Dear all, a huge thank you to all our Environmental Champion volunteers who braved the hail, thunder and lightening last night. Even with the appalling weather we had 13 volunteers out and about knocking doors in the Cathays area. As it was the last general waste collection before the students go home for Xmas it was really important to remind them to put their bins and bags out. The police volunteers were also on hand to remind students to take their valuables home with them over the festive break.

Thanks again to everyone who has helped out this year to make the Environmental Champions an amazing group who are really making a difference in the community.

We wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year and look forward to seeing you all in 2012 for some more fun and exciting projects.

Best wishes

Lucy, Kieran and Chris

Monday 12 December 2011

Driving home for Christmas

The Student Police Initiative and Environmental Champions will be patrolling the streets of Cathays tomorrow night with Police officers sending out community messages and reiterating the importance of safety advice at this time of year. Please make them feel welcome if they come knocking on your door.



During the year the Student Police Initiative have been telling students and residents to Lock it. Hide it. Keep it. This becomes even more important towards the end of term when empty student property becomes a target for burglary.

All your Going Home for Christmas Advice can be found here

Tuesday 6 December 2011

Cathays PACT and Student Police Initiative+Environmental Champions on the beat

Last night was the Cathays PACT meeting (next meeting 6th Feb, 2012 7pm Crwys Rd Methodist Centre)


After updates from the police and the council some of the discussions centred on the great partnership work that has come about through the Student Police Initiative and Environmental Champions. A lot of time energy and enthusiasm goes into these initiatives to help with community empowerment. We are very grateful to have the support of a range of agencies and community members and thanks were sent out to those who have supported us thus far.

At the meeting some community members integral to the success and who have supported the scheme where advocating and imploring other members in the meeting to come along and assist and to get involved.

So if you are free please come along tonight (6th) and next Tuesday (13th) to ensure that people get the ‘Going Home for Holiday’ advice. Any support is gratefully appreciated.

We will be patrolling the streets sending out community messages and reiterating the importance of safety advice at this time of year.

Please meet tonight (6th) and Tuesday 13th December 4.30pm 3rd Floor Students Union. Wear a festive hat (optional not essential)

If you can’t join us your Going Home for Holiday advice can be found here (please circulate this as widely as you can): http://www.cardiffdigs.co.uk/

Monday 5 December 2011

Driving home for Christmas and the Holidays?

The Student Police Initiative (link) and Environmental Champions (link) will be patrolling the streets of Cathays tomorrow night (6th December) with Police officers sending out community messages and reiterating the importance of safety advice at this time of year. Please make them feel welcome if they come knocking on your door.

During the year the Student Police Initiative have been telling students and residents to Lock it. Hide it. Keep it. This becomes even more important towards the end of term when empty student property becomes a target for burglary. All your Going Home for Holiday advice can be found here on the homepage


Saturday 3 December 2011

Letting agent prosecuted for breach of the Housing Act

A Cardiff property letting agent has been fined following prosecution by Cardiff Council for breaches of an additional licencing scheme in relation to houses in multiple occupation in Cathays.

The letting agent, Kingstons Residential, pleaded guilty to breaching the licence regarding multi occupancy and was fined £300 and ordered to pay the Council’s costs of £400.





A residential property in Salisbury Road, Cathays had been licenced under the legislation to allow for eight occupants but had housed nine.

In May 2011, a visit to the property from Council officers revealed that there were nine occupiers, and investigations confirmed that all nine persons had been living at the property since September 2010. Information from tenancy agreements and council tax records confirmed this. A case was prepared and referred to the Council’s Legal Services.

Executive Member for Communities, Housing and Social Justice, Cllr Judith Woodman, said: “A clear message has been sent that landlords of homes of multiple occupation who fail to abide by the law can expect to face prosecution. The council is determined that residents in Cardiff should be safe and live in high quality accommodation.”

Further information on the additional licensing scheme in the Cathays ward can be obtained here

Student specific information on Additional Licensing can be found here
If you are in the process of looking for property in the private rented sector please read our avoiding the pitfalls advice here

Friday 2 December 2011

Housing Advice Week day five

Housing Advice Week is here


Fridays Housing Tip - How to deal with problems link HERE


Today is your last chance to see the pop up house in the union

Housing Advice Week is about giving you all the information that you need when looking for a house. As a campaign it's main message is Make the Smart move; don't rush, don't panic. Some letting agents may tell you that houses are going fast and that there are less houses than students… this is not true.

Don't be pushed into signing a housing contract before getting it checked. Housing Advice Week is here to bust the myths and give you free and independent information that ultimately means you make the smart move and avoid the pitfalls: http://www.cardiffdigs.co.uk/hallstohouse.htm

When Is It?

This year Housing Advice Week runs from Monday the 28th November until Friday 2nd December

Why Should I Care?

If you need a house, you should care! Every year the Advice and Representation Centre deals with hundreds of complaints from students who have not understood their contracts or have had to put up with inadequate housing conditions. By coming to ARC on the third floor of the Students Union you can have your contract checked prior to signing and be given all the relevant information and questions that you should be asking agents and/or landlords.

Does Housing Advice Week mean I should start looking at houses?

We advise that you take your time. There is more supply than demand for housing so be aware of people that tell you otherwise or try and make you sign a contract before you have had time to think and get advice. More than anything, Housing Advice Week is to arm you with the tools needed to make the best decision.

Should you decide to start looking just stop and think. Think about who you want to live with (you may have only known your house mates for 2 months!), where you want to live and how much you can afford to pay for a room. This is one of the biggest financial decisions you will make this year.

The Advice and Representation Centre (ARC) is available on the third floor of the Student Union for free advice on choosing the right housing. http://www.cardiffstudents.com/advice

Thursday 1 December 2011

Housing Advice week day four

Housing Advice Week is here


Thursday Housing Tip - Bills, Bills, Bills link HERE


Housing Advice Week is about giving you all the information that you need when looking for a house. As a campaign it's main message is Make the Smart move; don't rush, don't panic. Some letting agents may tell you that houses are going fast and that there are less houses than students… this is not true.

Don't be pushed into signing a housing contract before getting it checked. Housing Advice Week is here to bust the myths and give you free and independent information that ultimately means you make the smart move and avoid the pitfalls: http://www.cardiffdigs.co.uk/hallstohouse.htm

When Is It?

This year Housing Advice Week runs from Monday the 28th November until Friday 2nd December

Why Should I Care?

If you need a house, you should care! Every year the Advice and Representation Centre deals with hundreds of complaints from students who have not understood their contracts or have had to put up with inadequate housing conditions. By coming to ARC on the third floor of the Students Union you can have your contract checked prior to signing and be given all the relevant information and questions that you should be asking agents and/or landlords.

Does Housing Advice Week mean I should start looking at houses?

We advise that you take your time. There is more supply than demand for housing so be aware of people that tell you otherwise or try and make you sign a contract before you have had time to think and get advice. More than anything, Housing Advice Week is to arm you with the tools needed to make the best decision.

Should you decide to start looking just stop and think. Think about who you want to live with (you may have only known your house mates for 2 months!), where you want to live and how much you can afford to pay for a room. This is one of the biggest financial decisions you will make this year.

The Advice and Representation Centre (ARC) is available on the third floor of the Student Union for free advice on choosing the right housing. http://www.cardiffstudents.com/advice