The Consumer Council is warning landlords to refrain from exploiting tertiary students by charging hefty rents and in return providing extremely poor accommodation conditions.

Recently the council received a complaint from a student who was in the country to study at the University of the South Pacific.

Council’s Manager Alternative Dispute and Resolution, Pooja Singh, says they are issuing this warning as tertiary students are preparing to begin a new semester.

“Council is urging landlords to have proper contracts and to issue receipts when students due pay their rent on time and not to take advantage of the vulnerability of the students who come to the central division to study and complete their course.”

Singh says this sort of behavior by landlords is unacceptable as they are taking advantage of students who are attempting to further their education.

She says landlords must ensure that they provide proper living conditions to tenants as people expect a good return for their money.