Support and messages reinforced as summer student changeover period begins

Leeds City Council is once again working with universities, students and landlords to support and manage the accommodation changeover period this summer.

With many student tenancies coming to an end this month, students and their landlords across Leeds are being offered a range of support to help keep the process as simple as possible, with a focus on being mindful of fellow residents and respectful of the local environment.

The 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.

All parties are looking to continue the success of last year, when over 45 tonnes of reuseable items were collected from street clothing banks and redistributed free or very affordably through local charities Revive and Slate. A significant amount of dry foods were also donated to the Rainbow Junktion food bank.

Information has been shared via social media posts, outdoor advertising, 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-2026/

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 be on hand to offer practical advice during the changeover period, and 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.

Leeds City Council Deputy Leader and executive member for communities and community safety Councillor Mary Harland and executive member for environment Councillor James Gibson said:

 “Leeds is very proud to be one of the biggest and most popular student cities in the country, and we are pleased to again be working with all the Leeds universities, landlords and agents to help support students leaving or changing their accommodation this summer.

“We want students to enjoy their final days in their current accommodation, and we’d just ask that they remain respectful of their neighbours and the wider community. We’re encouraging everyone to celebrate safely and responsibly, with no behaviour that causes disturbance or inconvenience to others.

“We are also offering extra facilities and support to students, landlords, agents and all parties to ensure waste is disposed of appropriately, so there can be no excuse for waste being dumped on the street or in public spaces. Moving on in a responsible and positive way is the key message for all.”

Lucy Hart, Incoming Union Affairs & Community Officer at Leeds University 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-2026/

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:

Leeds City Council communications and marketing,

Email: communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk

Tel: 0113 378 6007