My accommodation for the 2019/20 academic year included certain housekeeping benefits---these are in-built into the price, not billed separately. The exactly details are not so important, but the UK lockdown (starting March 2020) meant that these had to be cancelled. I completely support the decision to remove the services---it would involve housekeeping agents visiting many houses; clearly very dangerous.
However, come bill-time, the accommodation provided, which is the university/college, is refusing any reduction in the rent. The provision of these housekeeping benefits are clearly stated on the company's website and in the "handbook" describing obligations of the student/provider.
Note that I remained in the property throughout the entire lockdown. The provider's reason for not providing a reduction boils down to roughly the following:
- the rent is already subsidised (seems irrelevant)
- giving reductions would limit the ability of the university/college to support students in the future (they're insanely rich, btw);
- students were given the option to remain (I'm fairly sure eviction in this context was prohibited during the lockdown)
Do I have a right to demand a suitable[*] reduction in rent? [*What comprises suitable can be discussed elsewhere.]
I am sure that there are many other students in similar situations, where their accommodation has not provided what was promised but are being told to pay up anyway. I hope that this question can become a base-point for others to gain relevant information. (Feel free to make it a community wiki if that is useful.)
