UCL statement on student accommodation costs

"We welcome this resolution which is a positive outcome of engagement with our student body and UCLU. UCL currently houses approximately 6,000 students in its Halls and is committed to keeping rents as low as possible for its residents.

"Recognising the concerns of some of our students, for the second year running, UCL in conjunction with UCLU has frozen its lowest rents for 2017/18. Following further engagement with the wider student community, we have also increased the available accommodation bursary to £600,000 for 2017/18 residents. The bursary will provide discretionary financial support towards accommodation costs for residents most in need of financial assistance.

"These commitments reflect UCL's undertaking to ensure affordable accommodation and fair access for every student, reflected in the fact that we offer some of the cheapest accommodation in central London when compared to equivalent London institutions and private sector accommodation.

"UCL is a non-profit organisation with all rental income re-invested back into the estate including the £33 million refurbishment of Astor College Halls of Residence which is underway and the planned £45 million refurbishment of Ramsay Hall. This continued investment will provide increased affordable student bed spaces and better facilities for our students in the Bloomsbury area."

Duncan Palmer, Director of UCL Accommodation

UCLU statement on student accommodation costs

"The Students' Union and UCL Cut the Rent have been in negotiations with UCL over recent months to get a better deal for students residing in UCL accommodation. We have reached an agreement on increasing the provision of accommodation bursaries and a shared commitment to realign the rents charged from 2018/19 onwards. We look forward to working together with UCL to ensure the accommodation provided is high quality, safe and affordable.''

Mehj Ahmed, Welfare & International Officer 2016/17

Details of tripartite agreement between UCL, UCLU and UCL Cut the Rent

• The £25 late payment fee will be waived by UCL for all its residents who have paid their accommodation fees in full by the 24th June 2017 for the academic year 2016/17.
• Refundable deposits from 2017/18 have been halved to £250*. (*Terms and conditions apply)
• A sum of £600,000 is to be made available for the academic year 2017/18, for the purpose of an accommodation bursary. The terms of the bursary are to be determined between all three parties.
• UCL will commit to working with the other two parties to realign the rents for the academic year 2018/19 and beyond. The realignment will be based on an agreed rent-setting model that takes into account factors that have already been agreed between all parties. Negotiations are due to commence in the summer of 2017.
• All three parties to sign an agreed commitment charter to ensure fair access for every student with respect to first year accommodation at UCL. This charter will be agreed and signed with a view to set out the principles on how all three parties will work together to provide appropriate support towards accommodation costs for residents most in need of financial assistance in UCL owned or nominated accommodation.
• The publishing of a version of the charter for public viewing.

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• Campbell House East

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• UCL Accommodation
• UCLU