Government urges institutions to make sure students are not left homeless during pandemic
Universities have been told to pressure firms in charge of private halls of residence to make sure no student is left without a place to stay during the coronavirus epidemic. At the same time, the Student Loans Company has said that third term payments will proceed as planned.
In advice published on 21 March, the government told universities to “make clear to the manager of any privately owned halls of residence” that evictions for students whose contracts are at an end “would be unacceptable in the circumstances”. It stressed that it was particularly important for international students, estranged students or care leavers to have accommodation protected even if contracts finish or do not cover holiday periods.
“If the university or college has a nomination agreement with the private halls provider, this relationship should be leveraged to avoid evictions,” the government wrote. “Where no relationship exists, universities or colleges should seek to ensure that the private halls provider has a solution in place to prevent any student being made homeless.”
If hall managers are unable to keep students in the building, the government stressed they must “work through local partnerships, such as with the local authority and lettings agents” to stop students being left with nowhere to stay. Universities and private hall owners must make sure that students who have to self-isolate “can receive the food and medicines they need for the duration of their isolation,” according to the government advice.
Some universities have already waived financial penalties for students who want to cut their accommodation contracts short and move home as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Most universities have now cut face-to-face teaching and moved provision online.
Queen’s University Belfast told students in its halls they can terminate their accommodation contracts with no extra costs from 27 March, although its accommodation “remains open for those students who wish to remain”. It has also set up a hardship fund for students, including those in private accommodation.
Bath Spa University has also assured students they will not need to pay rent if they return home because of the virus. “If students decide to leave University accommodation and return home, we will not expect you to continue to pay rent and will cancel instalment payments from 6 April 2020,” the university wrote.
But some universities, including the University of Nottingham, have not finalised their policies on cancellation. A University of Nottingham spokeswoman told Research Professional News: “We are actively considering the position regarding not charging for unused accommodation and will update our students later this week.”
Meanwhile, the Student Loans Company confirmed that students will receive the next instalment of their maintenance loan at the start of the summer term “regardless of whether their university or provider has made alternative arrangements for teaching”. It also said students hoping to go to university in September should still apply for loans as normal, and the application window is scheduled to open in June.