University Volume 24 | Issue 12 | Tuesday 7th April 2020
Express UCCExpress.ie
#RefundTheRent Students Demand Rent Refund For Covid-19 Period Writes Maeve O’Sullivan, Deputy News Editor Following the closure of UCC on March 12th due to the Covid-19 pandemic, UCC students have been faced with difficult decisions. Many of the UCC students who were renting accommodation near the college have opted to return to their native homes for their physical and mental wellbeing, including large numbers of international students. However, certain landlords have been refusing to terminate the contracts early despite the unusual epidemic. One particular private student accommodation unit, Amnis House of the Uninest Group, has refused to refund the students who had chosen to return home. Students and their families have spoken out against the ‘lack of compassion’ that the management have shown.
due to the virus outbreak and Government-issued lockdown laws. USI Vice President for Welfare, Roisin O’Donovan, stated the union is calling on those compaDespite the signed lease connies- such as ISA Accommodatracts, UCC owned student ac- The Students’ Union of UL ex- tion Dublin, Uninest, Aparto and commodation complexes Victoria pressed their upset at the situa- Athlone Student Rooms- to show UCC Student Union president, Lodge, Victoria Mills, University tion; ‘’The University of Limer- compassion to students who are Ben Dunlea, spoke out against the Hall, Castlewhite Apartments, ick must show a duty of care to in very difficult circumstances. “unfair and upsetting’’ situation and Mardyke Hall have contact- its students during the Covid19 She also referred to the fact that the students have been exposed to. ed their tenants announcing that pandemic. Refunding students many students have lost part ‘’Some students, it must be rethey will have the two months for their unused accommodation time jobs due to the pandemic. membered, have gone home to rent refunded in a request that would take a significant financial Certain accommodations have support or care for vulnerable they return home on the grounds burden off students this year.’’ stated they will refund the monparents,’’ the SU President said. of safety. However, it was em- It is believed that of the 2,850 cam- ey to a student if they can find phasised that if a student could pus beds, only 700 students remain. someone else to fill it, which is One parent of a child who had unlikely due to the nature of not return home for any reason, signed the contract for the they would not be forced to leave. The Student’s Union of Ireland the colleges and the lockdown. €9000-a-year room was denied The petition can be found on (USI), in association with Stutheir request, with representatives The University of Limerick also dents‘ Union leaders across the from Amnis House stating: ‘’We of has been criticised for their refus- country, launched a petition for https://action.uplift.ie/camcourse have had a lot of students al to refund students who left the purpose-built student accommo- paigns/student-accommodadecide to return to their family UL accommodation due to fears dation to refund students who tion-covid. homes, but as it was their own defor health and safety. While man- cannot occupy their rented rooms cision, a refund is not applicable.
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As the building is still operating as normal, the room will legally be under the student’s name until the signed contract expires.’’
agement claimed that deposits paid at the beginning of the year will be returned in full, the twomonth remaining rent is to be held by the college for the time being.
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