Having been a student myself, albeit in the dark and distant past, I have to agree with Liz Johnson (Letters, August 15) when she says ex-students may wish to stay on in Hanover and raise a family as it is "such a lovely area".

Indeed, I have done exactly that. Absentee landlords, by definition, have not. If it is such a lovely area, why don't they live here themselves?

I notice that both Ms Johnson and Shula Rich don't live in the areas in which they have student property. I would have more time for both of them and their pro-student argument if they did.

In response to Ms Rich's letter, I don't have a problem with there being life after 10pm. I do, however, have a huge problem if that life includes noise disturbance at any time of the day.

And, yes, we can complain to the noise makers (and be ignored), the letting agent (if we know who that is - and be ignored) and the council, which will take action, but we will then need to declare that complaint should we decide to sell up.

And who, assuming we can find a buyer, will be interested in living in a noisy/student area? Not families - that's for sure.

Perhaps one of those absentee landlords might be interested? I'm sure the young families living near me would really appreciate there being yet another student house in the street.

Ms Rich talks about landlords treating the occupants of their properties with respect and vice versa. I totally agree.

But there's one other thing that needs to be included: Occupants respecting their neighbours - and students don't always to that.

I am more than prepared to keep a friendly but distant eye on my student neighbours but understand that I, and others, really do not want their noise in our houses and their rubbish on our streets.

-Lynne Nicholls, Brighton