University set to take students to COURT over 'illegal' rent strike building occupation

The University of Manchester is preparing to take legal action against students who have been occupying a campus building for over a month.

Students in the UoM rent strike group have been occupying the Simon building on Oxford Road since February 13 as part of an ongoing protest over rent costs and living conditions in university-owned accommodation. In the week prior to that, they took over a further three buildings on the campus, demanding a 30 per cent cut on monthly payments, and refund some fees already paid to help with the affordability of rent for the rest of the year.

University bosses now say they have served 'relevant court papers' on those in occupation, calling the move 'unfortunate' but 'necessary' due to 'health and safety breaches'.

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Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, the protest group slammed the University's decision as 'shameful' and said they will continue to escalate action even if they are forced to abandon their occupation.

"The decision of the University to engage in legal action instead of simply talking to their students is shameful," they said. "They have decided to spend money on taking this to court to regain possession of their building.

"They should know that even if we do not have an occupation, that will not stop us escalating further, and taking action, until they have agreed to listen to our concerns and demands."

However, university representatives insist that the occupiers have 'significantly disrupted the experience of other students and staff'.

The occupations, which began last month, were originally timed to coincide with the University and College Union (UCU) strikes.