University College London students launch 'rent strike'

Updated

University students have refused to pay thousands of pounds in rent in a protest against "soaring" accommodation costs.

The 150 University College London (UCL) students have said they are "collectively withholding" £250,000 in room rent because hikes in fees are pushing some students "deeper into debt and poverty".

They have accused the university of "flagrant profiteering" and attempting to boost "tuition fees by stealth".

Their Cut The Rent (UCL - CTR) campaign, launched on Monday, is demanding a 40% cut in charges, which vary between £120 and £150 across UCL's central London residences.

A post on the group's Facebook page said: "Following the failure of University College London (UCL) management to respond to written concerns over soaring accommodation costs, over 150 residents in UCL halls have formally declared an indefinite rent strike.

"Since 2009 UCL has increased the median rent by 56%, yielding annual profits of 45% - £15,779,000 - for the University. UCL-CTR asserts these are tuition fees by stealth, which in a context of stagnant student incomes and the scrapping of maintenance grants, further undermines access to education for low-income students.

"When UCL management themselves have admitted their accommodation is 'unacceptable', such flagrant profiteering demonstrates that UCL management have abandoned any notion of concerns for student welfare.

"With the cheapest rooms now, for many, more expensive than the entire student loan payment, students are pushed deeper into debt and poverty, with many unable to focus on their studies due to the necessity of insecure, part-time work.

"The degradation of tenants' everyday lives into ones of anxiety and stress is a situation UCL-CTR refuses to accept."

The university has denied attempting to increase profits and insisted it keeps costs as low as possible for students.

A spokesman said: "UCL Estates is actively seeking dialogue with the Cut The Rent campaign so that we can discuss the issues and set out how the finances of UCL accommodation work.

"While we understand the concerns around the cost of accommodation in London, it is inaccurate to suggest that UCL is making a profit for the university. All of the money that UCL receives in rent is ploughed back into residences.

"We make every effort at UCL to keep rents as low as possible, which is a difficult challenge considering our central London location. Our rents are competitive in comparison with equivalent London institutions, and far less than rates for comparable accommodation in the private sector."

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