With concerns growing about the “studentification” of certain areas in Brighton, it is important to remember there are two sides to the debate.

It is easy enough to blame students for bringing down the aesthetic value of your street with rubbish spilling out of bins on to the pavement or noisy house parties going on into the early hours.

It is equally simple to consider the responsibilities of landlords and letting agencies who manage student housing and how they are often not met to a high enough standard.

As a former student who lived in different parts of the city, I have heard my fair share of stories about “dodgy” landlords who fail to meet these basic requirements, which only leaves such housing destined to remain unkempt.

Residents concerned with a lack of housing available for families to rent attended a public meeting to discuss the rising number of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) in East Brighton on Friday.

Many were sympathetic to students and took issue with “greedy” landlords.

If this standard of living is met at the outset, students will be much more likely to maintain that standard.

It is important to keep the pressure on landlords and student letting agencies so that their properties are maintained and perhaps this can lead to a happier neighbourhood, inclusive of both students and families.

With high rent prices and a large debt hanging over their heads, the least students can ask for is a decent roof over it too.