PROSPECTIVE undergraduates learned more about a London university than they expected yesterday as campaigners stormed the University College London (UCL) open day demanding lower rents and better-quality housing.

The protest came after three months of rent strikes at two of the college’s halls of residence after construction work and high costs made life “unbearable” for students.

Residents at Campbell House in Bloomsbury and Hawkridge House in Kentish Town were awarded a week’s rent worth £132 of compensation but decided to continue witholding rent payments.

Strikers were then threatened with suspension and expulsion.

Speaking to the Star, UCL Union Halls Accommodation representative David Dahlborn said: “This is the day UCL tries to put across its ideology and propaganda and really sell its image and brand to as many unsuspecting people as possible.

“I would have preferred they met the demands before this demonstration had happened but it happened and it was an extremely effective protest.

“I’ve been talking to both current and prospective students while I was handing out some flyers and if they didn’t already know about it they were shocked to find out how the university treats its students as a landlord.

“If they already knew about it they were delighted that we took this action.”

Mr Dahlborn added that there was an “appetite” to escalate action and the group was “looking at the potential of taking the university to court” over the issue.

It was revealed in March by the school’s vice-provost of operations Rex Knight that around £12.4 million was expected to be made this year in profit on rents.

A spokesman for the Radical Housing Campaign, which supported the day’s protest, said: “In a time when the housing minister himself is a landlord, the only viable path to achieve lower rents in London will necessarily involve rent strikes.

“Today’s action showed that those who take such courageous steps will not be isolated in their struggle.”

A spokesman for UCL management said: “UCL has been in regular dialogue with the students concerned.

“All student appeals are currently being considered as part of the established compensation process and an outcome is expected at the end of July.

“We have also made clear that there will be no academic sanctions for any students who do not pay their rent, though we reserve the right not to renew contracts of non-payers in UCL accommodation.”