Sheffield Uni scraps lockdown rent for students
It's after growing anger from students who aren't using their rooms
Last updated 8th Jan 2021
Sheffield University says it won't charge rent to its students who aren't using their rooms during lockdown.
There's been growing pressure from students across the UK after they were told not to travel to their term-time address unless their face-to-face teaching was continuing.
It's meant many students paying thousands for rooms they aren't using.
The University of Sheffield said in a statement:
"Due to the current national lockdown restrictions, we will not charge rent to students who are unable to make use of their University owned or managed accommodation between 4 January and 22 February 2021.
"Those students who are using their accommodation will continue to be charged rent as per their contract. We will contact students in our accommodation with more information in due course."
The university says it has no control over private landlords but that it's working with the Students' Union to support its lobbying and is urging landlords to be as flexible as possible.
A spokesperson continued:
"We are committed to working with our Students’ Union to ensure we are supporting you in the best possible way and are continuing to enhance our support provision as circumstances change."