I read with concern the comments made by Brighton University's Student Union president, Rebecca Mann (The Argus, January 12), following the refusal by Brighton and Hove City Council to grant planning permission for a six-storey block of student accommodation on the university campus in Lewes Road.

The Southern Private Landlords Association has in its membership a significant number of private landlords in Brighton and Hove.

Before being allowed to join our association, landlords have to sign a code of practice which is enforced, should problems arise.

Before making such statements as "there is a lot of low-quality housing in Brighton, run by bad landlords", Ms Mann needs to understand that, in making such a comment without any foundation whatsoever, she undermines herself and the position of president of the Student Union.

One wonders whether the Student Union has a strict code of practice for students occupying properties in the private rented sector and, if so, whether they enforce it.

I challenge Ms Mann to provide the names of those "bad landlords" and the properties which are in a poor condition.

If she doesn't or can't, she should learn an early lesson: Don't open your mouth if you can't provide the evidence to support your assertions.

-Mike Stimpson, chair, Southern Private Landlords Association