University delays rent payments until loans come​ in

By Zoë Crowther, Students' Union Correspondent

The University of Bristol has agreed to move accommodation rent payments from 24 April to 29 April, the day of the next student loan instalment.

This news comes days after Cut the Rent announced that a rent strike shall be carried out on 1 May, which over 100 students have pledged to join.

Simon Bray, Director of Residential and Hospitality Services at the University of Bristol, said: 'We’ve listened very carefully to the views of Bristol Cut the Rent and agreed to delay the date of payment until students receive their loans. We appreciate that financial management can be difficult for all students and hope this short extension will help.

'Last year we introduced a number of accommodation bursaries, with £200,000 available each year in addition to the range of financial packages available to support students from low-income households.'

In an announcement on Facebook, Bristol, Cut the Rent stated: 'Already we have seen that our campaign has been making a difference to life in University halls, even before the rent strike has started! This is the power of students coming together to stand up against rip-off housing, and for better, more affordable living for all.

'This is so important for all of us who rely on our loans to pay rent, and shows that when we campaign hard we can win changes that, although seemingly small, have a huge impact on student lives.'

Simon Bray added: 'We will continue to work with Bristol, Cut the Rent and Bristol SU to ensure we offer a range of accommodation options for all budgets. However, usual debt collecting procedures will be applied if any resident in University accommodation decides not to pay their full rent.'

Featured Image: Epigram / William Kerslake