Anger as Bristol University threatens rent strikers with third party debt collectors
By Ellie Pipe, Wednesday May 12, 2021
The University of Bristol has been accused of “vile bullying behaviour” after threatening to use third party debt collectors to recover unpaid rents.
A collective of students has been on rent strike since October because of what they claim to be a lack of support throughout the pandemic and restricted or no access to facilities they would otherwise have had.
University bosses say tenants have been offered rebates that are equivalent to a 25 per cent reduction in rent over the duration of their time in accommodation, or the option to be released from their tenancy.
Staff and student anger as Bristol Uni hires debt collectors to collect unpaid rent
‘Rent Strike Bristol believes that this sets a dangerous precedent and could potentially damage student mental health’
2 weeks ago
Bristol Uni have hired a third party debt collector company, STA International, to collect debts from students who haven’t yet paid their rent for living in halls.
Students were informed of this on 3rd May via email and told that STA International could pursue them 14 days after this notice.
This policy seems to be directed at the rent strikers, who haven’t paid their rent since October 2020. They have received discounts and rebates throughout the year.
University of Bristol makes U-turn over student halls rent payment
By Yvonne Deeney, Monday Nov 23, 2020
Students at the University of Bristol have celebrated the reversal of a ‘classist’ decision to use bursaries to pay rent arrears.
On November 19 the university sent an email to students involved in a campus rent strike, explaining that they would have to pay off their rent arrears or the money would be deducted from their December bursary payment. To be entitled to a bursary, a student must have a household income of less than £42,875.
The following day, the university reversed their decision after coming under pressure from students, staff and a Labour MP.