We, the students and residents of the University of London Intercollegiate Halls, have called a rent strike. Below are the demands sent to university management - sign the petition to show you're angry!

Our demands are as follows:

1. A 40% annual rent reduction for all those who decide to remain in halls.
2. No-penalty contract releases and deposit refunds for anyone who wishes to move out of halls.
3. A commitment from the University of London that there will be no compulsory staff redundancies as a result of the ongoing restructuring.
4. Proper quarantine food and mental health support (catering for all dietary requirements: kosher, halal, vegan, etc.)
5. No repercussions for rent strikers.

We were encouraged to move into halls and used as cash cows by the university, intent on protecting its own financial interests over its students’ well-being.  Despite the pandemic and unemployment crisis, no consideration has been given to students’ wellbeing or their ability to pay.  Annual rent for many students tops £10,000, yet the average student loan is only £6,859.  In normal times, 59% of students need to work alongside their studies, and 1 in 7 students work full time to pay the bills.  The current crisis has meant that many of us are struggling to cope financially, having to choose between paying rent or being able to afford basic necessities.

Most UoL colleges have made the sensible decision to move teaching online this year.  This is understandable, given the pandemic and the risk to both academics and students.  However, that we have been forced to pay some of the highest student rent in the country, as well as £9,250 in tuition fees, is scandalous.

The way the pandemic has been handled has been, at best, negligent and blunt.  Many halls forced entire floors to self isolate for weeks when just one person had mild symptoms, regardless of their recent contacts.  The worst effects of this were felt by international students who had, in many cases, just been through two weeks of travel quarantine.  The effect of this on our mental health has been serious, yet there has been little recognition, or help offered.  

Many students who have chosen to quarantine or study from home have had no option but to continue paying rent for a room they are not using.  In such extreme circumstances, this is exploitation, plain and simple.