Exeter housing estate trashed by overflowing bins as students make mass exodus

Litter was left strewn across an Exeter housing estate earlier this week, following the mass exodus of students as the academic year ends. The estate started housing university students last year after 60 households were handed section 21 'no fault' eviction notices.

One resident says that overflowing rubbish bins have become a "big issue" since students moved into the Rosebarn Park estate in the Stoke Hill area of the city. He sent photos to DevonLive which show wheelie bins which have been crammed with items like pillows and a water bottle and other rubbish which has been blown around the estate.

He said: "Since the new firm took other this housing estate and turned it into student accommodations, rubbish has become a big issue. This is right next to a school. So young children are having to walk through this."

In July 2022, around 60 section 21 eviction notices were handed to residents of Rosebarn Park, after it was sold to London-based firm Trinova. Michael Gove had promised to ban section 21 evictions before the next general election earlier this year but no abolition date has been set. While they allow landlords to evict tenants without giving a reason why, Trinova said in a statement that the homes required works that were "essential and significant in nature" and which could "not be carried out with the existing tenants in situ".

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At the time, residents of the estate claimed they had seen builders entering already-vacant homes and putting in new walls to create more bedrooms. This sparked concerns that the houses were being turned into student accommodation and rumours circulated that students had been seen viewing properties on the site.

Trinova refuted these rumours, which they said were "entirely incorrect". The company also said: "The refurbishment project at Rosebarn Park will lead to the creation of modern, fully updated properties, meeting the latest legislative standards in energy efficiency, including the significant number that are currently empty or were already due to become empty, and will be let on the open market to tenants from all walks of life."

Following the refurbishments, the homes were listed on Campbell Property's website as studio apartments, shared flats and four, five and six-bedroom houses. Most were being offered for 52 week tenancies, with weekly rents that could include bills.

The listings advertised the estate as "a recently renovated haven of student life in the centre of Exeter." They added: "Rosebarn Park is an up-and-coming student area that has undergone refurbishments to deliver a dream university housing experience.

"Experience nightlife, escape to the beach, or explore the city. However you like to spend your downtime, Rosebarn Park offers a central location that delivers everything."