News | Tuesday, 7th April 2020

Open letter to private landlords of Greater Manchester

From Greater Manchester Higher Education institutions and their Students’ Unions

Greater Manchester Higher Education institutions and their Students’ Unions have asked private landlords to consider releasing students from their rental contracts
Greater Manchester Higher Education institutions and their Students’ Unions have asked private landlords to consider releasing students from their rental contracts

Greater Manchester Higher Education institutions and their Students’ Unions, have asked private landlords to consider releasing students from their rental contracts where they have moved out of their accommodation due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Senior leaders at Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Manchester, University of Salford, Royal Northern College of Music and their Students’ Unions have signed letters which have been sent today (Tuesday 7 April).

Students who have already moved out of university-run accommodation have had their third-term rental charges waived and the letter is asking private landlords to consider following that lead. 

Open letter

We are all finding ways to navigate through these incredibly uncertain times brought about by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Whilst we are doing our utmost to support the education of our students during the coronavirus pandemic, their wellbeing is just as much a priority.

As teaching and assessment is now being conducted online, we have offered to release students who have already vacated their accommodation from the fees they pay for their Hall of Residences for the summer term. We are aware other accommodation providers have also made this same commitment.

The students who attend our universities make Greater Manchester one of the largest and most vibrant centres of its kind in Europe. The fact private rented accommodation is available helps our students live in, and contribute to, communities across the region.

As leaders of the main Higher Education institutions and Students’ Unions in Greater Manchester, we are writing to landlords to ask if there might be a way to release students who have already vacated properties from their rental contracts.

These are exceptional circumstances, and we appreciate what we are asking may be a significant act on a landlord’s behalf, and one that may be entirely dependent on their own financial situation.

However, we believe this act of generosity would make an enormous difference to our students, many of whom are experiencing hardship, and ensure that they do not suffer as a consequence of this unprecedented situation.

Andy Harmon, Wellbeing Officer, The Union, Manchester Metropolitan University

Evangeline Adams, President, University of Salford Students’ Union

Adam Haigh, Welfare & Community Officer, University of Manchester Students’ Union

Alice Flannery, President, Royal Northern College of Music Students’ Union

Professor Malcolm Press, Vice-Chancellor, Manchester Metropolitan University

Professor Helen Marshall, Vice-Chancellor, University of Salford

Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, Vice-Chancellor, The University of Manchester

Linda Merrick, Principal, Royal Northern College of Music

 

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