Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Students launch crowdfunding campaign to sue top university over 'rats, mould and broken ventilation' making them ill

A spokesman from the London School of Economics says that the university is aware of the complaints and is "investigating each issue"

Jack Hardy
Sunday 16 July 2017 09:17 BST
Comments
Students from LSE claim that the conditions of Sidney Webb House made many of them ill
Students from LSE claim that the conditions of Sidney Webb House made many of them ill (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A top university is facing the prospect of legal action from its own students over allegations they were left ill by their accommodation.

A group of postgraduates have begun a crowd-funding page online to stump up cash to sue the London School of Economics (LSE) for what they claim is a breach of tenancy contract.

They allege Sidney Webb House, a block of halls near Borough, south London, became overrun by rats, contaminated with mould and suffered from a broken ventilation system for months.

On a page organised to raise £5,000 for legal fees, the students, under the name Sidney Webb House Group Action, write: "Many students fell ill. Some were diagnosed with upper respiratory tract infections and one resident underwent an open surgical procedure due to skin infection."

The Russell Group University has a licence contract with the students, but the building is owned by and managed by property company Unite Students, the page says.

Unite Students said it "does not accept" the accommodation had been the direct cause of any illness.

The postgraduates lived in the halls between September 2016 and June 2017 and claimed repair of basic utilities, including heating and hot water, were often delayed.

The page urges people to "help postgraduate students seek justice and redress grievances".

It adds the target sum will be the minimum required to launch legal proceedings against the university, from which they hope to win compensation.

A spokesman for LSE told the Sunday Telegraph: "It is to be refurbished over the summer. We are, however, aware of a number of complaints about accommodation there this academic year.

"We are investigating each issue."

A spokesman from Unite Students also told the paper: "We are aware that there were a few issues during the academic year at Sidney Webb House. We are always sorry to hear that any student is experiencing poor health.

"Unite Students does not accept any suggestion that the accommodation is the cause of any medical ill health.

"Any class action being prepared by a student against LSE is a matter between those two parties and not for us to comment on."

The students aim to reach their target of £5,000 on fundraising website CrowdJustice by 5 August.

Press Association

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in