Joint Statement on 2018/19 UCL Accommodation Rents

Working in conjunction with the Students' Union UCL and the UCL Cut the Rent campaign, an agreement was reached on:

• Continuing to freeze rents on 14% of our most affordable rooms for the third consecutive year
• A 4% reduction in rent on 17% of our cheapest rooms at Ifor Evans Hall and Max Rayne House
• An increase of 3% across all other rooms excluding the newly re-furbished Astor College Hall where rooms will be subject to a further 4% increase
• Termination of the UCL Accommodation Bursary and the funds used to re-align rents as above

The agreement is testimony of the positive engagement and relationship that exists between UCL, the student body, and the wider student community. It will also ensure that for the third year running, over 25% of UCL bed spaces are offered at 50% or below the maximum amount of maintenance loan available as recommended by the National Union of Students for affordable accommodation provision. For 2018/19, the number of UCL bed spaces that meet this criteria has increased to 34%.

UCL Accommodation currently houses approximately 6,000 students and is committed to keeping rents as low as possible for its residents which is reflected in the fact that UCL currently offers some of the cheapest accommodation in central London when compared to equivalent London institutions and private sector accommodation.

Duncan Palmer, Director of UCL Accommodation said: "Over the past 3 years, UCL has worked with Students' Union UCL, UCL Cut the Rent and the wider student population for the benefit of all students living in UCL Accommodation with a particular focus on providing affordable accommodation whilst recognising the need to provide significant investment into improving the UCL residential portfolio. Through this collaborative and engaged approach, UCL has once again increased its affordable offer to 34% of our accommodation and realigned the rents of our most affordable accommodation."

Aiysha Qureshi, Welfare & International Officer, Students' Union UCL said: "Students' Union UCL, alongside the Cut the Rent campaign, has rightfully played a notable part in reaching an agreement regarding rent realignment in UCL residences, and we are committed to continuing this in the future. We look forward to working with UCL and our members who live in UCL residences to ensure accommodation provided is of high quality and affordable, so as to continue increasing access to higher education for those who would have otherwise have been deterred."

"Whilst we realise this is a significant improvement, Cut the Rent recognises that this is still far from ideal and will continue to campaign for more affordable halls at UCL," said UCL Cut the Rent.

Links

• UCL Accommodation

Image

• UCL Quad; Credit: M Clayton