HARTPURY ASKS LANDLORDS TO CONSIDER RENT REDUCTIONS FOR ITS STUDENTS
In an open letter published on 4th May 2020 Hartpury have asked landlords to consider reducing rent payments, or allowing students no-penalty early release from rental agreements.
The letter, jointly signed by Hartpury Vice-Chancellor Russell Marchant and Royal Agricultural University Vice-Chancellor Jo Price, outlines the financial hardships students are facing.
Hartpury Students' Union (HSU) has been working to support students in contacting their landlords, requesting concessions and we're delighted to receive this support from the university.
Hartpury and RAU have released students who have vacated their Halls of Residence from their accommodation agreements and will also be applying refunds for fees that have already been paid for the period of vacancy.
Russell Marchant, Vice-Chancellor of Hartpury University, said: “The health and wellbeing of our students is extremely important to us during these unprecedented and deeply troubling times.
“We recognise that our request may place a financial burden on landlords for the next three to four months.
“However, we hope that the support for payment holidays, announced by the UK Government, could be used by landlords so that students who are facing hardship can be supported.”
Many students who were employed alongside their studies have lost their jobs during the current lockdown, losing income that helped them pay their rent.
HSU has created a template that students can use to write to their landlord, some guidance and also tips if they want to write their own.
