“Universities have turned into landlords”: UK students plan biggest rent strike in 40 years
Students from at least 20 universities across Britain are planning to to go on rent strike when they return from the Christmas break –
unless their universities agree to negotiate on rent reductions. They insist that they should not be made to pay premium rates. Es
pecially in the midst of a pandemic, when in-person teaching and campus life is so limited.
In November, there were successful mass strikes, leading the University of Manchester to reduce halls rent by 30 per cent for the autumn term. The success of campaigns so far has created a movement across the UK. At least 20 rent strikes are currently underway or being organised on campuses. Hundreds of students at universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Sussex, Goldsmiths, and Edinburgh are preparing to take action in 2021. The action comes from growing frustration at online teaching, conditions in halls of residence and an alleged lack of mental health support.