Sheffield students describe why they are taking on universities in historic rent strike

Like students elsewhere in the country, thousands studying at Sheffield’s two universities face being stuck at home while being forced to continue paying for accommodation, even though halls of residence are in many cases off-limits due to lockdown restrictions.

Many are now refusing to part with their second-semester rent in the largest rent strike in 40 years, spanning across 31 universities including both Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield.

Rent strike groups have called for rent reductions and the ability to exit a contract without penalty this year, after the pandemic pushed classes online, sent thousands into self-isolation and introduced restrictions onto campus.

Bailey Gould, a first-year student at Sheffield Hallam University, is among those who want to see changes and feels passionate about the cause after being forced to pay £14 a day to live in a flat with numerous issues that aren't being fixed.

“When we were told we were going fully online, that’s when the problems started,” the politics student said.

"You’re always in your room doing online seminars and are locked away – although you’re living with up to 12 people at a time you feel very isolated and alone.

"You notice little problems that you may not have noticed before like the heating isn’t working or the WiFi is awful, I’ve been kicked off numerous seminars due to the WiFi. The facilities that I’ve had haven’t been up to scratch and on the university side, I don’t think I’ve been treated fairly.

"What they’ve done isn’t necessarily right and should have been tackled in a different way.”

Jade*, an occupational therapy student, moved into “dingy and unclean” accommodation and has faced endless issues while living there, such as finding mouse faeces in her kitchen cupboard.

She is also joining the rent strike and feels students should be “treated fairly in a difficult time and compensated for the joke that has been this year.”

“Unite Students have been no help whatsoever,” Jade said. “People from Forge have shared pictures of their fridges being unclean and dead mice under their fridge.

"It's not just one isolated incident of Unite properties being disgusting, many of us are finding these issues commonplace and nothing is being done to remedy the situation.”

She added: “If they aren't going to lower our tuition fees considering a completely subpar education - I've been into on campus lessons twice, the powerpoints we are given are devoid of information and the lecturers seem to be more concerned with keeping their paychecks than our education – they should have some decency to lower our rent payments.

"I left Sheffield in the December travel gap and will not be returning until some on campus lessons begin so I am paying for two months of rent for not even living there. Students barely have any money as it is so why are they taking advantage of us?

"The Vice Principal is sitting on his hefty salary of £350,000 whilst we have to scrape our student loans to afford rent for places that are barely satisfactory.”

A Sheffield Hallam University spokesperson said: “We recognise that the Government’s introduction of a national lockdown means many students will be frustrated with the possible implications for their accommodation arrangements.

“Whilst the university does not own accommodation of its own, we are working closely with a range of partner accommodation providers to ensure that Sheffield Hallam students have clarity on their circumstances and that any change in policy is communicated to them at the earliest opportunity.

“If students booked their accommodation through the university, they will have been able to take advantage of flexible tenancy start dates and deferred contracts at the start of the academic year. Furthermore, the university works closely with our local authority on a scheme to promote approved accommodation providers.

“Any student who needs support or advice regarding this can contact Hallam Help on [email protected] or 0114 225 2222. They can also contact the Sheffield Hallam Student Union Advice Centre for free, confidential and independent advice on [email protected].

“Sheffield Hallam takes our duty of care for our students extremely seriously and we are doing everything possible to support them during this challenging period we all find ourselves in.”

Sheffield University did not respond when approached for comment.

*Student surname omitted to avoid identification

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