National Policy Success for LUU at NUS Conference 2021
At Leeds University Union, we have successfully passed national policy addressing the multitude of issues within the student accommodation sector at the National Union of Students’ National Conference 2021. 11 delegates were elected by a student body vote to propose a policy and represent Leeds students’ views at a national level. In collaboration with Worcester Students’ Union, University of Sunderland Students’ Union and Winchester Students’ Union, delegates submitted a proposal for how the NUS could address some of the key flaws and injustices of student accommodation.
Students are increasingly having to undertake part- and full-time work to cover additional costs, which limits their ability to study and participate in external activities, resulting in lost social capital and connection with other students and the true university experience, most students want, need and expect.
This year has seen significant challenges and students in financial hardship with rental contracts being the largest factor. For many students, their maintenance loan does not cover the cost of their accommodation contract and we have seen students all over the country paying extortionate rents for rooms they have never stepped into. This crisis instigated the largest wave of student rent strikes and movements that have ever occurred across the UK, including LUU’s Rent Relief Campaign with LBSU and LTSU and the CutTheRentLeeds strike.
Students’ Unions across the country have been calling on the Government to step in and help student renters during the Covid-19 pandemic, but also to address the fundamental flaws in the sector that have been affecting students for decades.
Accommodation is the most important factor influencing student wellbeing across the UK [2018]. Universities have been instructed by the Government to maintain a high quality student experience if they hope to maintain full charges [2021]; however, our concerns on housing remain overlooked, despite the pressing nature of current circumstances. January 2021 saw the long overdue release of the Government’s response to the 2018 Augar review, which confirmed that debt relating to living costs is still a deterrent for the disadvantaged. The Government’s response, declaring that “now is not the right time” to provide a full answer, is inadequate.
The policy requires the NUS to use their national platform to challenge the government further on their commitment to review student living costs, including student accommodation. It seeks to address the inequalities between international and home students, eradicating the requirement for UK guarantor agreements, and developing a National Tenants’ Union to ensure student renters have a seat at the table in conversations about student housing. Additionally, it reinforces arguments that all students should receive rent rebates for accommodation that they couldn’t use during lockdown.
The policy also argues for student tenants to be given ‘the statutory right to bring their tenancies to an end early as has happened in Scotland. This would allow greater freedom within what is currently an inflexible housing market for students, forcing many to stay in properties that they are not using or are substandard for extended periods.’ This would mean if another unprecedented situation were to occur or a student faced significant changes in personal circumstances, they could give notice on their tenancy and leave their contract. Many Universities, including Leeds, are in the financial position to afford flexibility and consideration to students in personal difficulties.
Delegates from Students Unions’ and Colleges from across the UK gathered for NUS National Conference to discuss the ideas, and your NUS delegates led workshops to engage in conversation about the policy with other delegates. The policy was voted on by representatives and passed, becoming national policy for the NUS, meaning it is now a priority area of work for them and their full time officer team.
Conference also gave the opportunity for delegates from across the UK to join and discuss issues facing the student movement from the last 12 months, including decolonising the curriculum, renting reform, sexual misconduct in universities, student mental health, antiracism campaigning, the cost of living and tuition fees. Delegates were able to represent Leeds students’ views in all of these areas, raising the voice of our students to a national level.
Sophia Hartley, one of the delegates and your LUU Welfare Officer reflected upon her experience at conference: “NUS Conference was really inspiring and opened my eyes to even more great activism that is happening across the student movement, it left me feeling empowered to continue fighting for students’ rights.”
As your Community Officer at LUU, I’m thrilled that as a delegation we have managed to make an impact on student accommodation on this national platform. Renting has been a key focus for me and the rest of the Exec at LUU this year and we’re really excited that our policy has set foundations for such significant work that will outlive our time in office. Reform of student renting has never been more necessary and we’re really proud to have created national policy to reflect that.
