‘Disgusting’ students are driving residents out of their homes as they dump rubbish in the streets and attract rat infestations.
Bristol houses thousands of students every year but waste has been pilling up by accommodations near the University of the West of England’s Frenchay campus.
Locals say the students carelessly leave out piles of rubbish which spills on to the road leading to rodent infestations and foxes eating food from ripped open bins.
Some claim the problem has become so dire they have been forced to move away.
Residents of Cheswick Village, Scholar’s Chase and Stoke Park also blame the council for cutting collections and a lack of enforcement.
Caroline Lines, 61, said it is ‘disgusting’ to live next to rubbish and ‘smelly’ ripped open bins.
She said: ‘Going back at the beginning of the summer it was so bad because we had all the warm weather – the smell was so bad.
‘As soon as the HMOs are full it is going to happen again and the council won’t do anything.
Caroline Lines, 61, said it is ‘disgusting’ to live next to rubbish and ‘smelly’ ripped open bins
‘Disgusting’ students are driving residents out of their homes as they dump rubbish in the streets and attract rat infestations
Locals say the students carelessly leave out piles of rubbish which spills on to the road leading to rodent infestations and to wildlife eating food from ripped open bins
‘My grandsons were coming back from the park and they were hysterical because two rats actually ran out in front of them in the street near an HMO property where there is a lot of rubbish.
‘Black plastic bags have been ripped opened by wildlife and they were terrified.’
She added: ‘I am even scared of going out on the estate because of the amount of rats and rubbish – it is not very nice.
‘This shouldn’t be happening, not in this day and age.’
Another resident moved to her property 14 years ago and said over the years many houses were turned into HMOs and the location has deteriorated.
She blames the council which ‘hasn’t been proper’ with waste enforcement and that some residents had even been driven from the area by the ongoing issues.
She continued: ‘The university will go and visit the household and educate them but educating isn’t working.
‘There is a minority of a generation of students that don’t care.
Ms Lines said: ‘Going back at the beginning of the summer it was so bad because we had all the warm weather – the smell was so bad’
Rat traps on a business estate near where local resident Ms Lines lives
Residents of Cheswick Village, Scholar’s Chase and Stoke Park also blame the council for cutting collections and a lack of enforcement
‘It is having effects in my family and people that live around me. I’ve had a neighbour who’s had a dead rat in her garden. It’s not good enough. Why aren’t the council doing any enforcement?’
The local alleged Freedom of Information requests she had submitted revealed the council had not issued any community protection warnings or notices related to waste management issues in the area last year.
In May 2026 South Gloucestershire Council will be moving black bin collections to only occur every three weeks.
She said: ‘That’s going to be a problem. When we then move to household waste being collected every three weeks, this is just gonna go from bad to worse.’
A spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council, said: ‘We are aware of concerns regarding waste management in Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in this area.
‘Our teams dedicate significant time and resources to monitoring waste presentation in this area, especially on collection days.
‘We carry out regular visits to address any issues that arise and take enforcement action where necessary, working with both residents and landlords to make improvements.
‘Although we have seen substantial improvements in waste management in areas near Filton over recent years thanks to ongoing engagement and enforcement, we actively monitor the area and are working closely with the University of the West of England’s liaison team to ensure students are aware of their responsibilities for waste presentation.’
In May 2026 South Gloucestershire Council will be moving black bin collections to only occur every three weeks
Another resident moved to her property 14 years ago and said over the years many houses were turned into HMOs and the location has deteriorated
A UWE Bristol spokesperson said: ‘We are actively working with partners including Bristol Waste and South Gloucestershire Council, as well as speaking to students and private landlords, to resolve this issue.
‘We held a meeting with residents in September which included representatives from both Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire Council, local councillor Sean Rhodes and the Students’ Union to listen to and address the concerns of residents.
‘We’re also planning litter picks in the local area organised through the Students’ Union.
‘We provide our students with information and advice on how to look after their environment and be considerate neighbours when living in private accommodation. We’re also engaging with private landlords to ensure they are involved in finding a resolution to this.’
