Students’ Associations from across Edinburgh this month launched their biggest campaign this year: Right to Rent. The campaign aims to stop the Scottish Government putting in place limits on the number HMOs (Houses of Multiple Occupancy- typically flats with three or more people in them). This would be hugely damaging to students who often live in HMO flats.

The campaign, which was launched in April, had over one thousand students sign the online petition in the first day. This is the largest involvement in a campaign this decade and it demonstrates the strength of student feeling on the issue.

If HMO properties are limited then it will increase demand- forcing up rents and driving down standards. In the future it could also result in students being driven from areas like Marchmont, Polwarth, City Centre and Tollcross.

This would not only hurt students but would also damage local business. Over the coming month we will be meeting with MSPs, speaking with students and lobbying the government not to go ahead with these plans. It is likely that an MSP will put down a motion in the Parliament in the coming weeks encouraging the government not to go ahead with its existing plans.

Do your bit and keep up to date with the campaign by filling in the petition at www.righttorent.org

(Article date: 15/04/08)