Lincolnshire student wins year of rent-free living

Many students worry about paying their rent but not lucky University of Lincoln student Gregory Hodson who’s won a year of rent-free living worth over £2,000.

Gregory (23 ), from Northumberland, will have all his rent paid this academic year by Lighthouse Property Services after winning a unique prize draw launched by the property firm back in January.

Now in his final year of a degree in International Relations, Gregory says he was surprised to have won the competition and is looking forward to a less stressful year than he initially thought.

“I was so shocked when I found out and am very happy,” said Gregory. “It means I don’t have to worry about money and the extra cash I now have will help buy books for my studies.

“As this is my third year I will have a lot of work to do but the prize will make the year that little bit less stressful.”

Lighthouse, an approved University of Lincoln lettings agent, ran the competition as part of an ongoing student lettings campaign for 2009.

All early bird students who signed tenancy agreements with the property management firm from January to March were entered into the prize draw and had the chance to win an entire year of rent-free living from last month (September).

Lighthouse Student Lettings Manager Ian Thornton said: “Gregory can now study for an entire year at university without having to worry about finding funds for rent which is an increasing concern among students.

“We are delighted to have been able to offer this and the runner-up prizes and will look to carry out similar marketing activities in the future to encourage students to look to Lighthouse when searching for or renewing their yearly accommodation.”

In addition to the attractive first prize, the second prize of £1,000 rental discount was won by Dan Nuttall and Natasha Smith picked up the third prize of £100 of Morrisons vouchers.

Lighthouse has now successfully housed over 6,500 students since it began in 2001 and broke all records this year by letting 98% of the 310 student properties on its books.

Ian added: “Over the past three years the student lettings market has stayed pretty level but this year we have broken all our records.

“We expect to continue to see a growing student market in Lincoln as the number of young people who choose to go to university across the UK rises.”

For more information on student accommodation visit lighthouse-property.co.uk.