Skint students forced to pay for empty digs

STUDENTS are angry at having to pay full rent on properties they moved out of because of the coronavirus crisis, even though their landlords are able to skip mortgage payments.

With universities shut, along with bars, and shops where many students work, up to 50% have left their term-time accommodation says the National Union of Students.

Alfie Brepotra, 25, a second year Management student at Warwick University, says he has been threatened with court action by his landlord when he said he would struggle to pay his rent after losing a holiday job. “Now I can’t afford my rent”, Alfie told Mirror Online. Students in Warwick are also threatening a “strike” on rent payments.

The Warwick Covid-19 Rent Strike Facebook page currently has more than 700 members.

One student tweeted: “Me and my two housemates are third year nursing students called up early to work for the NHS. We are moving home to work and our student house will be empty for 5 months. Our landlord has not allowed us any relief from our rent.” Some universities have allowed first year students out of contracts with properties rented from university accommodation, but many renting privately feel left out in the cold.

Emergency laws mean private tenants can’t be evicted for at least the next three months, but there is no provision specifically for student renters, who pay £9,250-a-year tuition fees before living costs.

Landlords, however, can apply for a three month “mortgage holiday” during the crisis to allow for tenants being unable to make rent.

Lucy Keegan, 20, a second year student at the University of Portsmouth said she felt “neglected” by Government and “exploited” by her landlord, who she said has refused to alter her rent. She added: “She [her landlord] could have the option of mortgage payment delays but there’s no rental holidays for us.”

NUS vice president Eva Crossan Jory said: “Many private developers of student accommodation make enormous profits and have a moral duty to support their tenants.”

Meera Chindooroy, of the National Residential Landlords Association called for landlords and students to cooperate.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: “Emergency laws mean no renter can be forced out of their home – with no eviction proceedings to start for at least three months. We will extend this if necessary. Tenants should continue to [pay their rent] wherever possible.”