STUDENTS at Edinburgh University in halls of residence are to withhold their rent after being refused a reduction while the Covid-19 pandemic is affecting studies.

They made the approach to university bosses last month under the banner Rent Justice Edinburgh, in the hope their action “might prompt a productive dialogue”.

However, after meeting bosses, they said: “The university’s reply was merely the latest in a long succession of evasive, dishonest responses to legitimate student complaints.

“If the university is so intent on securing further income in spite of the evident health of its balance sheets, we would politely suggest that it does so through a permanent cut in the vice-chancellor’s own grossly inflated salary.”

Students said nothing the university had said or done came close to rectifying the “outrageous predicament of students”, who found themselves paying high rents for an experience “vastly different to that advertised”.

Rent Justice Edinburgh reiterated its support for pandemic-related regulations in halls and the scaling-back of in-person tuition.

A university spokesperson said that they knew this was a very challenging time for everyone, but ensuring the safety and wellbeing of students remained their absolute priority.

They were in “frequent communication” with students and looking at how to improve their campus experience.

“If a student feels that they wish to leave our accommodation, we are being flexible and not holding them to their 28-day notice period,” they said. “As a result of the Scottish Government’s requirement for a phased return to campus after the winter break, we have also taken the decision that students in university-managed accommodation will not be charged rent for the period from January 11 to their actual arrival date, or the date of their phased return.”