Northampton's student union ask landlords to give university tenants a break in open letter

Landlords with student tenants in Northampton have been asked to help give their renters a break in the face of the Covid-19 lockdown.

The University of Northampton's Students' Union has written an open letter to the town's landlords and lettering agents about the plight of their young tenants.

The union says many of the town's students have lost much of their income without bars, restaurants and clubs to offer part-time works and are struggling to meet their rent payments.

The letter to the Northampton Student Landlord Network, released on April 15, reads: "Covid-19 has affected everyone in some way [and] it is more important than ever to support one another through this difficult period.

"Many of our students are struggling financially due to not being able to work. In particular, many students who receive the minimum amount of student finance rely on part-time work to be able to pay for their accommodation and to stay a-float."

The letter also names international students forced to isolate for a minimum of 12 weeks and students without any financial support who are at particular risk.

As a result, the union is asking landlords to refund any underspent bills and to allow students moving into properties in the next academic year to pay "summer rent rate" until the university resumes face-to-face teaching.

The letter reads: "Students should not have to pay for something they are not using.

"These proposed changes aren’t unique to Northampton, Universities across the country are addressing this issue and contacting landlords to make changes which are in the students’ best interests.

"We ask that you the landlords and letting agents, please consider the support the Government is offering including the mortgage holiday scheme."

In response, the Northampton Student Landlord's Network said in a statement: "Whilst landlords will do all they can to help in the management of final rent payments, student tenants must understand that their contracts are legally enforceable and unaffected by the current circumstances.

"Given our understanding that the Minister for Universities has confirmed that scheduled tuition and maintenance payments will continue to be paid by the Student Loans Company, landlords would expect student tenants to continue to pay their rents in the normal way, in full and on time

"For individual tenants who genuinely face financial difficulty as a result of Covid19, it is advised that they contact their landlord ASAP to discuss their specific circumstances."