Mayo TD welcomes news of start of third-level student rent refunds

A Mayo TD has welcomed news from the University of Limerick where students will be refunded rent from the date they vacated their student residence back in March to the end of their semester.

Deputy Alan Dillon said: “Campus Life Services, the University of Limerick company that manages student residences, has decided at a meeting this morning to repay the student rents. This follows the UL Governing Authority's decision earlier this week.

“I first raised the matter with Minister Joe McHugh and UL in early April having been contacted by many Mayo students and their parents attending the university.

"I will continue to pursue the return of rents by private accommodation providers for students attending other third-level institutes.”

Deputy Dillon is particularly critical of the private providers of purpose-built large scale on-campus student accommodation, where students are obliged to pay in advance for their rooms, electricity, broadband, bins/waste, security and management fees.

”Despite numerous calls since universities and colleges closed to refund this money or cancel obligations under the terms of a lease, some private landlords have opted not to do so.

"This is unacceptable, grossly unfair and very stressful for students and, in many cases, their parents, who cannot afford to lose this money at such a difficult time,” said Deputy Dillon.

“Many of these students have lost their part-time jobs, either because they have had to return home or because their jobs no longer exist.

"They are no longer able to pay rent on a property they cannot use and do not need through no fault of their own.

“The Covid-19 crisis has led to hardship for many people, but understanding of the situation has prompted a positive response in most cases like within the public student accommodation setting or the insurance industry.

“I am calling on these private landlords to show such understanding to their student tenants at this difficult time.”