STUDENTS at University College London (UCL) kicked off a third round of rent strikes yesterday with a demand for a 40 per cent rent cut.

Over 150 people living in halls of residence suspended their rent payments, setting the college back £250,000.

UCL has argued that much of its housing is already on the lowest pricing band and that the problem lies with the housing crisis in the capital.

But art history student Nyima Murry said she was striking anyway in order to set a precedent.

“Many people I know are put off moving to London because they can’t afford to study here,” she said.

“I’m striking so that future students have the opportunity to study at UCL on academic merit not financial background. The housing situation in London has to be made affordable.

“Landlords have refused to cut the rent, so we have no option but to do it ourselves. Hopefully, we can inspire others to do the same.”

UCL Cut the Rent campaign and the Radical Housing Network said the strike would run indefinitely.

UCL has raised its halls’ rent by an average of 56 per cent since 2009, raking in nearly £16 million annually in profit.

Strikers branded the high rents “tuition fees by stealth.”

A spokesman for UCL’s estates department told the Star the college was “actively seeking dialogue” with strikers to settle the dispute.

“While we understand the concerns around the cost of accommodation in London, it is inaccurate to suggest that UCL is making a profit for the university,” he said.

“All of the money that UCL receives in rent is ploughed back into residences.

“While the proportions may vary year to year, we invariably spend more on residences than we receive in rental income.

“We make every effort at UCL to keep rents as low as possible, which is a difficult challenge considering our central London location.”

He added that the low cost of the school’s accommodation had even been praised by the National Union of Students.