Support and Guidance for Leeds Students During Summer Move-Out

Leeds City Council and Universities Collaborate on Student Accommodation Changeover

Leeds City Council is working alongside local universities, landlords, and student organisations to manage the summer student accommodation changeover period. As many student tenancies come to an end in June, the council aims to provide support to students and landlords to ensure the process is smooth, with an emphasis on respecting neighbours and the local environment.

Coordinated Efforts to Minimise Disruption

The council is collaborating with the University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds Arts University, Leeds Trinity University, and Unipol to address the challenges of students moving out and moving in, often on the same day. The focus includes reducing noise and preventing waste from being discarded irresponsibly.

Last year, over 45 tonnes of reusable items were collected via street clothing banks and redistributed through local charities such as Revive and Slate. Additionally, a significant quantity of dry food was donated to the Rainbow Junktion food bank.

Information and Resources for Students and Landlords

• Information has been disseminated through social media, outdoor advertising, direct university communications, and landlord messaging.
• Unipol provides a dedicated webpage with guidance on donating, recycling, or disposing of unwanted items responsibly: https://www.unipol.org.uk/advice/students/moving-out-2026/
• Landlords and letting agents have been reminded of their responsibilities to ensure tenants dispose of waste legally and appropriately.

Waste Management and Enforcement Measures

During the changeover period, council street wardens will be available to offer advice, and additional refuse collection and street cleansing services will target waste hotspots. Household waste and recycling centres at Kirkstall and Meanwood will operate daily from 8am to 6pm.

Leeds Rental Standard-accredited landlords can access discounted waste tipping at Kirkstall recycling centre, where the public weighbridge is open from 8am to 4pm. Students can also visit Kirkstall centre on foot to donate items to the reuse shop or dispose of bulky waste.

Two additional caged vehicles, sponsored by Leeds Property Association and Unipol, will be in operation to assist with waste collection.

Council enforcement officers will patrol student areas to ensure compliance with waste disposal regulations and have the authority to issue fines for illegal dumping. The serious environmental crime team will monitor for unlicensed waste carriers and individuals searching through bins.

Statements from Council and Student Representatives

Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Communities and Community Safety, Councillor Mary Harland, and Executive Member for Environment, Councillor James Gibson, stated:

“Leeds is proud to be one of the biggest and most popular student cities in the country. We are working with universities, landlords, and agents to support students during the summer accommodation changeover. We ask students to be respectful of neighbours and the community, celebrate responsibly, and dispose of waste properly. Extra facilities and support are in place to prevent waste dumping.”

Lucy Hart, Incoming Union Affairs & Community Officer at Leeds University Union, said:

“Building positive relationships between students, landlords, and the community is a priority. We support students during the busy changeover period and encourage consideration, patience, and respect to ensure a smooth transition.”

A spokesperson from Leeds Arts University Students’ Union added:

“We encourage students to act responsibly when leaving accommodation, including recycling and proper waste disposal. Leaving waste behind places strain on local services and is disrespectful. We are working with other universities and the council to promote sustainable move-outs.”

Further Information

Students and landlords can find detailed guidance on moving out and waste disposal at the Unipol webpage: https://www.unipol.org.uk/advice/students/moving-out-2026/.