Recently, I went on an accommodation tour in Falmouth alongside the Director of Campus Services and the Accommodation Officer from FXPlus. It was a valuable opportunity to see first-hand the range of off-campus housing available to students and to have open conversations with both FXPlus staff and residents. Touring the accommodations with colleagues who are directly involved in facilities and housing management allowed for meaningful discussions about how we can respond to student concerns more effectively and ensure that support systems are working as they should. This tour stemmed from conversations from the Accommodation Liaison Group, where I sit as a student representative and from your valuable feedback highlighting accommodation concerns.
Locations Visited During the Tour
We visited several off-campus student accommodations in Falmouth Town, including Tuke House, Maritime, Ocean View, and The View.
Impressions from the Tour
Overall, I found the standard of the accommodations to be good. The primary aim was to assess the damp and mould concerns raised by students, issues that are naturally less apparent during the warmer months, but the winter tour had been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. Nevertheless, the visit was still valuable. It provided insight into the living conditions students experience and highlighted the range of accommodation options available to you.
Key Takeaways and Student Feedback
The most positive takeaway from speaking with students during the tour was that they were generally happy with their accommodations and reported positive living experiences. However, some students expressed uncertainty about how and where to report issues related to damp and mould and any other concerns (see below for how you can do this!).
Concerns We'll Be Following Up On
One concern raised by students was the lack of response from some external accommodation providers after issues, particularly damp and mould, had been reported. Students shared that they sometimes didn’t receive updates or resolutions, which understandably led to frustration.
We’ll be following up by ensuring students are aware of alternative routes to seek support when their concerns aren’t being addressed. We’ll also be promoting how students can raise these issues through FXPlus, who can offer guidance, and, in some cases, help escalate concerns to the appropriate parties.
We’re also committed to making sure students know how to log feedback effectively and that issues are not just reported but actively resolved. Improving communication and accountability will be a key focus going forward.
Next Steps in the Accommodation Review
While this tour was a valuable step in understanding current accommodation standards, the work isn’t finished. We’ve discussed plans to carry out a follow-up tour during the winter months. This will give us a fuller picture of the damp and mould issues reported and allow us to compare conditions across the seasons.
This is very much an ongoing piece of work. Accommodation remains a key focus as students should feel confident that what they’re paying for meets an acceptable standard of quality, safety, and comfort. We’ll be running communications to help students know what to look out for when viewing properties, how to spot early signs of damp and mould, and how to report issues both through landlords and via FXPlus and the SU if needed. We want to empower students to make informed decisions and ensure they’re getting the support they deserve when problems arise.
What You Need to Know
I want students to know that their voices matter, and there are clear ways to raise concerns. While overall the standards were good and students reported positive experiences, it became clear that not everyone knows how to report maintenance issues or seek support.
If you're experiencing any housing-related concerns:
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Talk to us! Raise concerns with the SU (Students’ Union):
If you've reported an issue but feel it hasn’t been resolved, or you need additional support navigating the process, you can reach out to the Students’ Union Advice Service. They can advocate on your behalf, offer guidance, and ensure your concerns are being taken seriously. https://www.thesu.org.uk/advice/