Glasgow University Student Tenant Union have started a petition to cancel all student rent for January

Following the announcement that the majority of students are not to return back to Glasgow until February at the earliest, the Glasgow University Student Tenants Union have started a petition calling for the Scottish Government to cancel all rent due over this period where students are unavailable to return to their places of study.

The University sent out an email last week announcing that a  rent rebate will be available for students living in University residences whose return to accommodation is delayed. GUSTU requests that the treatment of students living in halls is extended to all students renting properties.

Credit – @gustudenttenantsunion Instagram

The petition can be found here:

forms.gle/AhGLMBPuMeMsD8zw8

Speaking to the Glasgow Tab, a member of GUSU said: “The Scottish Government has told students to stay away in the interest of public health, but has provided no support, material or emotional, to facilitate this. Not only are people paying rent for properties they’re not staying in, but they’re also being asked to stay in places where they hadn’t prepared to remain. Often their festive households will be difficult places to spend long periods of time, with issues from cramped and uncomfortable work spaces to living arrangements which take a toll on people’s mental health, in potentially unsafe environments. In order to help students stay where they are, the government must cancel rent so that they can help students in this tumultuous situation, by relieving the pressure that rent brings and giving people extra money to cope with their unexpected living situation.

If you want to be more involved with GUSTU and it’s upcoming events,  follow @gustudenttenantsunion on Instagram or Glasgow University Student Tenant Union on Facebook.

Featured Image credit via Instagram @gustudenttenantsunion

 Related stories recommended by this writer:

•Students advised not to return to Glasgow until beginning of March

•A petition calling for a no detriment policy for Glasgow students has over 2900 signatures

•Strathclyde has given staff Fridays off during Lockdown