Over 100 students at the London School of Economics (LSE)have received payouts after preparing a class action lawsuit against the university over their “appalling” living conditions.
Students, all postgraduates from overseas, were paying £9,000 a year to stay in Sidney Webb House, near Borough Market, London, which was managed by Unite Housing. The students complained of lack of hot water and heating, as well as complained about mould, rubbish and mice infestations. A number of students even alleged that they had become unwell because of the conditions they were living in.
Around 120 students signed up to a class action lawsuit and raised over £5,000 to pay for a lawyer for their case.
It is said that the university initially resisted the claims, but have now settled by paying an estimated £60,000 in compensation (£500 for each student).
Senior partner and head of litigation at firm Edwin Coe, who was the students' lawyer, said that more than 450 students had been affected. He said, “The accommodation was damp, unheated and lacked hot water for extended periods causing students to fall ill. Complaints made by students fell on deaf ears. Eventually students came to us and we worked with them to crowdfund a small amount to pay for experts to examine the mould that was caused by the conditions.”
The Sidney Webb Action Group were “very pleased with the result”. They said, “LSE and Unite Students have also made a commitment to monitor and improve the provision of services within Sidney Webb House for the upcoming academic year. Furthermore, the university has made assurances to improve their complaints procedures for all of the residents in LSE accommodation and that the university's legal team would, subject to approval by the relevant bodies, produce a new procedure for the 2018-19 academic year.”
