Exeter College, part of Oxford University, is located in Oxford, United Kingdom
Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe / Bloomberg
Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe / Bloomberg
National blockades across the UK have left many college students who have returned home on vacation trapped there, in the obligation to pay rent for empty rooms at school.
The additional – and in many cases costly – frustration for British students is fueling threats of a strike.
What irritated them was the weather. In December, the government said it would relax Covid’s restrictions during the Christmas holiday. Many students followed the security protocols established by the government and their universities and returned home.
But last week, authorities announced a blockade that prevented most students from returning to campus. For many, this will mean starting the new term – which in most cases will begin after the block is announced – from home, although they are still paying for accommodation at the school.
Their problems parallel those of students around the world during the Covid-19 pandemic. Last year, many were told abruptly to return home and study online. The United States has threatened to limit student visas. And this fall, many universities have tried to open face-to-face classes, just to see the outbreak.
“If you paid for any other service and it wasn’t happening, you would be reimbursed,” said Katie O’Kelly, a master’s student at University College London.
The 23-year-old signed a 12-month lease for a room rented in London last year. She went home for Christmas, assuming she could return to her accommodation after the holiday. But the sudden announcement of the blocking rules means that her rented room is still empty because she is at home in Berkshire, about an hour away from the city.
O’Kelly estimates that she will pay a total of 7,200 pounds ($ 9,700) this year in rent for a room that has so far been used much less than she imagined.
Similar frustrations are driving thousands of students across the country to threaten strikes. Organizers say about 15,000 have signed up for the Rent Strike Now campaign, which encourages students to retain rent for accommodation they cannot use during the Covid lockout.
On Monday, Unite Students, the UK’s largest private student accommodation provider, announced a 50% discount on rent for qualified students for four weeks. (In Britain, it is not uncommon for students attending public universities to live in dormitories run by private companies.)
Some universities have also started to respond. University College London has said it will not charge rent for students who are unable to return to dormitories or other accommodation administered by the university. The University of Manchester, Cambridge and the University of Exeter said the same.
The problem is that the country’s student accommodation market is fragmented. This makes it difficult to impose changes unilaterally. Private companies such as Unite Students provide 25% of UK housing, but 20% of students rent directly from their universities. About 25% are temporary students and 30%, including O’Kelly, live in private homes with several residents, usually run by small family owners.
“Now is the time for the government to seriously consider the financial implications for students and institutions and what support they will provide,” a spokesman for Universities UK, an organization representing British universities, said in a statement sent by email.
Last week, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson suggested at a news conference that the government is considering some form of support.
“I think we need to look closely at the agreement that students are making,” he said. “We need to see what else we can do to support students and help them in what has been a very, very difficult time.”
If and until that happens, that’s what experts say students stuck in limbo should consider:
- Understand the terms of your rental. Be sure to check your rental agreement, as some agreements have “withdrawal” clauses that allow tenants to shorten their contracts.
- Contact your landlord. It is worth talking to your landlord to explain your situation, as they can agree to give you a discount or propose an alternative payment plan. If you don’t ask, you don’t understand. Having a polite conversation can also keep the temperature low, which may not happen if you start by threatening to withhold rent.
- Make sure you are eligible for student support. The government is providing a fund of up to £ 20 million to help students studying in England who need support during the pandemic. Many universities also offer funds for financial difficulties.