Student digs firm Unite extends rents discount offer as lockdown continues

Unite Students has said it will extend the length of a rents discount, in a move that will cost the landlord around £6 million.

While universities are open, a national lockdown remains in place and a number of people are doing remote learning away from their university campus.

Unite in January said  eligible students would be able to apply for a discount of 50% of their rent for a total of 4 weeks and, in addition, would be given a 4-week complimentary extension of their tenancy agreement at the end of the academic year to extend their stay into the summer.  

That was for people checked-in but not living in their accommodation between January 18 and  February 14. Around half of checked-in students have now returned to  Unite’s buildings.

The company today said the offer will now run to March 7, and the three week extension will cost Unite around £6 million in lost revenue.

The cost for the entire seven-week rental discount and tenancy extension will be up to £15 million.