University students on rent strike over 'unsanitary conditions'

University of Sussex students have declared a rent strike, in protest at what they say are 'high rents for dilapidated and unsanitary conditions in university accommodation'.

Students at Kings Road Halls on Brighton seafront allege the block suffers 'rodent infestations', broken kitchen and bathroom appliances, and that some flats are without hot water.

They added that 'constant construction work frequently renders rooms uninhabitable due to noise and dust pollution, forcing students to vacate their rooms during working hours'.

The University of Sussex said it is addressing 'temporary issues' but it doesn't recognise all of the claims by students.

Supported by the Brighton branch of ACORN renters’ union, over a third of the 110 residents of Kings Road Hall said they will withhold their rent, which is Â£502 a month, until full repairs are carried out and tenants are adequately compensated for disruption caused by ongoing building work.

The strike comes just days after it emerged that the university had awarded the last Vice Chancellor, Professor Michael Farthing, a Â£230,000 leaving bonus.

Duncan Michie, ACORN organiser and third year Sussex chemistry student, said: “If they can spare the hundreds of thousands of pounds for university bosses, they can spare at least as much to compensate students enduring squalid housing conditions.”