Coronavirus: Calls for student accommodation fees to be waived

The National Union of Students (NUS) is calling on university accommodation providers to waive rent payments. Beth Evans, a second-year student at Queen Mary University of London, said she would find it difficult to pay £2,500 to Sanctuary Students after returning home and losing her part-time job position. The 19-year-old, who has set up an online petition, said: “Many students rely on part-time jobs and their student loans do not cover their rent, my parents can’t support me financially and having to deal with this is making the transition to moving back home and continuing to study online even more stressful.”

A spokesman for the firm, which provides accommodation across the country, said: “While we realise our decision not to terminate contracts early will be disappointing, we have been informed by the universities’ minister that students will still be receiving their tuition fee and maintenance payments for term three as scheduled, whether or not campuses are closed, or learning has moved online.

“The government has also outlined information encouraging tenants living in rented accommodation to pay their rent as normal, while accessing the new financial support packages it is offering if needed.” In other words, students should not stop paying rents unilaterally but work with landlords to find the best solution. Financial support package offered by the government can be found here

Link to the article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-52136650