SOAS Working Class Students' Network

Hey everyone, as many of us move to online working, it's finally time for me to do the same! Today I'm sharing resources and information about renting rights, including support from the Student Union and from other organisations.

Firstly, the work of our incredible accommodation officer, Oscar ([email protected]) and co-president for welfare and campaigns, Valeria ([email protected]), who have been working to facilitate a rent strike at our halls of residence. For more information and to join the strike against Sanctuary Students and other private student residences in London, you can access the links below:

- Cut the Rent and Rent Strike information: https://www.rent-strike.org/; https://www.facebook.com/SOASCutTheRent/
- Support for students renting from private halls providers in London: https://www.facebook.com/LiberateTheUniversity/; https://www.facebook.com/groups/LondonHallsRentStrike/
- Pledge to join the rent strike: tinyurl.com/SSrentstrike

For those of us who are privately renting, homeless, living in social housing or in temporary accommodation in London, the London Renters Union offers support and guidance on renting during the Coronavirus. This includes information on your rights, how to ask for rent reduction/suspension and support against evictions. Membership starts at £4 a month, or is free if you are unwaged.

- https://londonrentersunion.org/
- https://www.facebook.com/LondonRentersUnion

ACORN is another union made by and for working class communities, operating branches across the UK. They are currently campaigning for an end to 'no fault' evictions, a government legislated mortgage freeze and protection against eviction for lodgers, alongside organising local rent strikes and offering support to tenants.

- https://acorntheunion.org.uk/
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/tenantsupport/

For LGBTQ+ young people aged 16-25 living in abusive households or experiencing homelessness, the Albert Kennedy Trust can help to find emergency accommodation and provide access to specialist support.

- https://www.akt.org.uk/get-help

Expert advice can also be found at:

- Advice4Renters, who provide free or low-cost legal advice and representation from expert housing specialists: https://advice4renters.org.uk/
- Shelter offer a free helpline and online chat with housing advisers: https://england.shelter.org.uk/get_help
- Citizens Advice has a network of local bureaux and offer online services: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/
- Directory of legal advice and representation: http://www.hlpa.org.uk/cms/find-a-housing-lawyer/

Love and solidarity,
Katie xx
she/her
[email protected]

Great news!

Following last weeks referendum on whether we should introduce a Working Class and Social Mobility Part Time Officer, the result of the referendum has voted in favour of the motion.

Here is a breakdown of the vote below:

➡️990 students vote
➡️495 students vote ‘yes’; 472 students vote ‘no’
➡️23 students abstained