Many proud parents will have been anxiously watching their sons and daughters heading off to colleges and universities all over the country.

This should be a happy and exciting time for young people.

For many, it will be the first time they will have lived away from home.

Renting a first house or flat can be a complex and stressful challenge for young students. Sometimes it can be stressful for the landlord too!

There may be difficulties over rent, property maintenance, and, when the time comes to leave, deductions made from deposits.

Often parents have to intervene to try to resolve these issues.

I would like to remind your readers that the Legal Services Commission can help with advice on housing problems.

We work with skilled and dedicated advice providers to ensure that people, including some of the most vulnerable in society, get quality-assured help when they need it.

Wherever possible, we help people resolve problems early and without resort to the courts.

This ensures that stress, and disruption to studies, is kept to a minimum and that we, at the LSC, make best use of taxpayers’ money. As part of our mission to improve access to justice, the LSC runs Community Legal Advice, a free and confidential advice service paid for by Legal Aid.

People on a low income or benefits can call 0845 345 4 345 for independent advice about housing problems.

GEOFF MOUNTJOY Regional Director, South Region Legal Services Commission