Lockdown fee waive for halls
NTU SAYS IT WILL ‘DO THE RIGHT THING’ AFTER STRIKE THREAT
NOTTINGHAM Trent University (NTU) has announced that students not living in certain accommodation during the lockdown will not have to pay rent.
The university has informed students it was “going to do the right thing” by waiving rents for students in Ntuowned or operated rooms from January 4 until February 21 inclusive.
This is to reflect the current known period of the Government lockdown restrictions.
The University of Nottingham announced it was offering payment breaks earlier this week and NTU has now pledged similar support, with students being asked to complete a form by January 22 to qualify.
This will also act as an agreement that students will not stay in the halls during the lockdown period stated.
A statement read: “Currently, the Government guidance is that only students on future critical worker courses and those with special circumstances should return to their term time accommodation in Nottingham.
“This leaves the vast majority of our students paying for accommodation they are being asked by the Government not to use.
“Through Universities UK, we have been seeking to persuade the Government to address this matter.
“Following dialogue with Nottingham Trent Students’ Union (NTSU), our Board of Governors has decided not to wait any longer for the Government to respond to student concerns.
“We are going to do the right thing for students paying rent for accommodation that is run directly by the University or under partnership by UPP.”
It follows a rent strike campaign at both Nottingham universities where students said they did not want to pay for rooms that were not being used during lockdown.
Co-founder of the NTU Rent Strike campaign, Rebecca Hyde, said the news had come just a day before accommodation rent payments are due but had welcomed the decision.
The Broadcast Journalism Masters student told the Post: “It’s definitely what we wanted to come forward.
“It’s a shame the university have not responded to us or our message directly.
“But it’s good that students who were affected won’t have to pay for empty rooms.
“We have already had a lot of responses from parents and students who have said it is such a good financial relief.”
She added: “The campaign will continue as there are some accommodations not included, such as the Glasshouse and Cotton Mills which, although private, are recommended by NTU.
“We also want no penalty contract releases as students don’t know about going back yet with no certainty on the pandemic or whether returning for lessons will be needed.