Student Accomodation Despair
Winter has creeped in with temperatures dropping as low as minus 1 degree Celsius. For some students living in student accommodations in Coventry, they are facing more than academic deadlines. Lack of hot water and heating are part of the problems faced by the residents of Merlin Point. This has sparked outrage from students residing there as they are paying for an accommodation with all-inclusive bills yet are not receiving the heating that comes with their bills.
Merlin Point, near Coventry University, has been advertised as a top-tier student accommodation with modern facilities and a convenient location. However, for many residents, the reality differs significantly from the advertised brochures. Reports of faulty heating systems and inconsistent hot water supplies have left students dissatisfied and disappointed.
Social Media group chats for Merlin Point residents are filled with complaints with students sharing photos of the problems they’re facing. The groups chats include pictures of portable heaters that students bought due to their heating problems and dirty mattresses.
Image taken by resident Fatimah
Resident and student Kirbina gave a statement and said, "Seriously, we need legal help from the city council. I hope the house enforcement will take action from our emails to get our contracts cancelled and for us to get our payments back. There has been so much negligence that it’s mentally exhausting. I mean, nobody would believe that we're dealing with such.”
Students face more than just discomfort. The lack of heating and hot water presents serious threats to their physical and emotional health. Living in such conditions can aggravate illnesses, disturb sleep, and make learning almost impossible.
Another student and resident Shingi said “I’ve had to do things like running hot water in the shower with the bathroom door open just to keep myself warm. I’ve even kept my oven on with the door open as I live in a studio but I can’t do that for a long time because it’ll trigger the fire alarm and then that’ll disturb other residents which I wouldn’t want to. I wouldn’t have thought I would’ve had to do this in this accommodation. This wasn’t what was advertised”Students have written numerous letters to the Housing Enforcement and CRM demanding immediate action as the living conditions is showing to have breached their contracts.
Another resident of this accommodation, Chen, stated, “We wrote a letter to CRM and collectively signed it because it was too much for us. They also breached the 1985 Landlord and Tenant Act, which requires landlords to keep rented properties in a safe and habitable condition. I have asthma, and the mould in the kitchen and bathroom is making it worse for me and causing me to have more problems with my breathing. This is a health hazard. “
We have reached out to Merlin Point for a statement regarding this, and we have not had a response from them.
By : Pey Enigbokan
Image taken by resident Akhil