STUDENT rent strikers occupied University of Edinburgh halls today over growing fears of debt collections.

Campaigners from Rent Justice Edinburgh are staging action at the university’s Student Village on Bristo Square, with students claiming that they have felt harassed by letters seeking to collect unpaid rent.

Many students at the university have been withholding rent over issues with the institution’s student housing during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Many were left isolating with poor WiFi, preventing them from fully engaging in their studies, but were still asked to pay rent in full.

The occupiers said their university experience this year was “massively worse” than before and complained that students were still “being forced to pay full rent and tuition” in spite of this.

They called for a rebate for student tenants in Edinburgh, and confirmed that they were planning to continue their protest over the weekend. 

The university said its primary concern is the wellbeing of students and staff, encouraging student renters to take a "lease-break" if needed.