Students renting privately-owned houses in Jesmond are being encouraged to contact their landlords, after two private student accommodation providers agreed to Newcastle University Student Union’s request for rent discounts during lockdown.

After the announcement of the latest national lockdown, Dorothy Chirwa, president of Newcastle University’s Student’s Union (NUSU) asked 36 “specialist student accommodation” providers across Newcastle to suspend rent repayments for student tenants who cannot return to the city.

But with Newcastle City Council data suggesting there are 2,550 council tax registered student properties in Jesmond alone, many student tenants will have to contact their letting agent or landlord directly if they want to request a change to their rental agreement.

Chirwa’s letter to private accommodation providers came after both Newcastle University and Northumbria University agreed to pause rent payments over lockdown for students in university-owned halls of residence. This included students living in Windsor Terrace and Jesmond Road in Jesmond.

Ann Cooper, NUSU’s director of digital and communications, told JesmondLocal that Chirwa’s letter was sent only to “specialist student accommodation providers”, such as private halls of residence.

“We were using the university approach as an example of good practice and this was only appliable to similar accommodation providers. When it comes to private landlords, each tenancy agreement is unique. NUSU’s Student Advice Centre specialises in housing issues and they are helping many students with their individual concerns,” she added.

Holly Fry, who studies physiological sciences at Newcastle University and rents a room in a house in West Jesmond, told JesmondLocal: “Personally, I wouldn’t expect to see any kind of reimbursement as I have signed a contract with a private landlord in advance of the academic year. It would seem unreasonable to ask for this as the accommodation remains available to me and has nothing to do with the university.”

Mark Smith, operations director of Walton Robinson, which manages student lettings in Jesmond and across Newcastle, said: “We urge the government to outline a package of support measures for students in private rented accommodation so that, in cases of genuine hardship, they are able to fulfill their contractual obligations without undue distraction from their studies.”

Chirwa received responses from two private companies, Unite Students and Student Roost, which operate residences closer to the city-centre and said they would be offering discounts for eligible students.

A spokesperson for Student Roost said any resident who has been away from their student property prior to January 5th and cannot travel back to university can claim a discount of up to six weeks’ worth of rent.

Unite Students says eligible students will be able to apply for a discount of 50% of their rent for a total of four weeks, to be credited in March.

Northumbria Students’ Union said it was asking other private accommodation providers to follow suit and encouraging its students to write to their landlord or contact their local MP.