Hundreds of Preston students to get rent rebate

Hundreds of students unable to return to the classroom in Preston have been given a rent rebate

The University of Central Lancashire has approved a seven-week rebate for students with a UCLan accommodation contract.

The rebate applies to students who have not returned to the university in compliance with Government advice to stay at home and study online as part of the latest national lockdown restrictions.

Students who hold a UCLan accommodation tenancy, which also includes a proportion of those in the UCLan-leased IQ Kopa residence, and the new Burnley-based accommodation at Sandygate, will also receive the rebate.

The university has 1,700 places within its halls accommodation.

Students who live in private halls will not receive the rent rebate decisions on their behalf but UCLan has pledged to update students with an understanding of their position.

UCLan Vice-Chancellor Prof Graham Baldwin said: “We fully understand the disruption which the latest national lockdown has created for student accommodation arrangements.

“We have decided to issue a rent rebate equivalent to seven weeks for all students with a University halls contract who have not made use of their accommodation since the commencement of the national lockdown.”

As a goodwill gesture UCLan is also offering a free four-week extension to all students with a university accommodation contract, regardless of whether they qualify for the rebate or not.

This would extend current tenancy contracts to August 1, 2021 enabling students to complete extended work placement options or take up possible part-time work opportunities.