Council working with universities, students and landlords to manage summer changeover period in Leeds

Students and their landlords in Leeds are being asked to be respectful of their neighbours and the local environment as the summer changeover period begins.

With many student tenancies coming to an end this month, Leeds City Council is working closely with the University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds Arts University, Leeds Trinity University and Unipol to support students, landlords and their agents to support students with the challenge of moving from one place to another on the same day, but also keeping noise and discarded waste to a minimum.

Building on the positives of the last two years including 80 tonnes of reuseable items being collected and redistributed free or very affordably through local charities Revive and Slate,  the number of temporary reuse banks located in popular student accommodation areas has been increased. 

Staff from the council’s cleaner neighbourhoods team have joined ambassadors from Leeds Beckett and University of Leeds knocking on thousands of doors in student areas this month, engaging in conversations about being considerate of local communities and delivering flyers detailing ways items no longer needed can be sold, donated or disposed of appropriately.

Information has also been shared via leaflets, social media posts, direct communications to students by universities, as well as WhatsApp messaging from landlords to their tenants.

Unipol again has its dedicated ‘moving out’ webpage offering detailed information on how to donate, recycle or dispose of unwanted items in a responsible and timely fashion, with maps of donation bank locations together with all key information at https://www.unipol.org.uk/advice/students/moving-out-2025/

The council has contacted landlords and lettings agents reminding them of their responsibilities to ensure their tenants dispose of their waste legally, contained in bins or via recycling banks.

Council street wardens will also be on hand to offer practical advice during the changeover period, and from mid-June, additional refuse collection and street cleansing vehicles will deal with any hotspots of waste.

The household waste and recycling centres at Kirkstall and Meanwood are open every day from 8am-6pm. Leeds Rental Standard-accredited landlords can access discounted tipping on certain types of waste at Kirkstall recycling centre, where the public weighbridge is open 8am-4pm daily. Students can also access Kirkstall recycling centre on foot to donate to the reuse shop or deposit bulky items.

Two additional caged vehicles will also once again be in operation sponsored by Leeds Property Association and Unipol.

Council enforcement officers will be patrolling student areas to ensure waste is being disposed of appropriately, and have the powers to issue fines for non-compliance. The serious environmental crime team will also be actively monitoring areas to catch and deter unlicensed waste carriers or anyone caught sifting through bins attempting to find any valuables.

Speaking ahead of the changeover weekend, Councillor Mary Harland, Leeds City Council’s executive member for communities, customer service and community safety, and Councillor Mohammed Rafique, executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, said:

“We are very pleased to be working again with all the Leeds universities, landlords and agents to help support students leaving or changing their accommodation this summer. Given we have approximately 80,000 students in the city this changeover period is a massive undertaking, so we are committed to doing everything we can to help them with the process and especially disposing of their waste appropriately.

“We would appeal directly to the students to enjoy their final days in their current arrangements, but to remind them of their responsibilities to be respectful and mindful of their neighbours and local communities to ensure there is no anti-social behaviour, which will not be tolerated and will be dealt with quickly.

“There is also no excuse for waste being dumped on the street or in public spaces, please make use of all of the extra range of facilities and options on offer to dispose of goods appropriately. Anyone not doing so risks facing prosecution and spot fines, but if people behave responsibly those won’t be needed which is very much what we hope.”

A spokesperson from Leeds Beckett University’s Students' Union said:

''For all of us at Leeds Beckett Students' Union, building a positive relationship between our students, landlords and the wider community is a priority. We’re here to support students as they settle into new homes in July during the changeover period, a busy and sometimes challenging time for both students and local residents. We encourage everyone to be considerate of neighbours as well as being patient and respectful. By working together, we can ensure a smooth transition and continue building the strong sense of community that makes Leeds such a great place to live and study.''

A spokesperson from Leeds Arts University’s Students' Union said:

“As the academic year ends, we encourage all Leeds students to act responsibly when leaving their accommodation for the final time. Removal of unwanted items to recycling facilities and appropriate disposal of excess rubbish is an essential part of the moving out process, whilst leaving behind waste places unnecessary strain on local services and is disrespectful to neighbours and the wider community. Leeds Arts Union is happy to be working collaboratively once again with the other Leeds universities and Leeds City Council to ensure our students move out responsibly and end the year sustainably.”

To see the guidance around leaving or changing student accommodation, visit https://www.unipol.org.uk/advice/students/moving-out-2025/

ENDS

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Leeds City Council communications and marketing,

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