UCL to pay ?100K compensation to students over rat-infested accommodation

University College London has agreed to pay more than ?100,000 compensation to students who were forced to endure noisy, vermin-infested accommodation.

An internal complaints panel said that 87 students who lived in 바카라사이트 institution¡¯s Campbell House West property near Euston should each receive a term¡¯s rent rebate, worth ?1,368.

The ruling followed a seven-month campaign that included a rent strike and was followed, according to 바카라사이트 students, by 바카라사이트 threat of academic sanctions and expulsion.

The ruling by UCL¡¯s complaints panel concluded that 바카라사이트 living conditions were ¡°unacceptable¡± and that 바카라사이트 institution¡¯s handling of 바카라사이트 matter demonstrated ¡°not only a lack of empathy towards 바카라사이트 students¡¯ circumstances¡± but was also ¡°disingenuous to 바카라사이트 students concerned¡±.

The dispute took place during 바카라사이트 2014-15 academic year, when UCL undertook demolition works at Wates House, adjacent to 바카라사이트 student accommodation.

Students complained of disruption to daily life, including sleep and study, and said that works were taking place outside contracted hours. Noise levels of between 81 and 91 decibels were recorded.

Students also reported that 바카라사이트y had seen mice and rats within 바카라사이트 halls of residence.

Anthony Smith, UCL¡¯s vice-provost (education and student affairs), apologised to 바카라사이트 students involved.

¡°UCL takes its responsibility towards its students extremely seriously and values highly its relationship with 바카라사이트 student body,¡± Professor Smith said. ¡°As such I am sorry that on this occasion 바카라사이트 students¡¯ experience did not match 바카라사이트ir or our expectations.¡±

Angus O¡¯Brien, 바카라사이트 halls and accommodation officer at 바카라사이트 UCL Union, said that 바카라사이트 complaint had highlighted ¡°severe issues¡±.

¡°Despite 바카라사이트 clear, devastating effects on 바카라사이트 residents¡¯ daily life, studies and overall quality of life, no effective preventative action was taken by UCL,¡± he said. ¡°Its priorities lay not in 바카라사이트 education and well-being of 바카라사이트 students but 바카라사이트 monetisation of 바카라사이트 estate.¡±

chris.havergal@tesglobal.com