Halls a ‘rip off’, says evicted student

A student evicted from university halls claims she is more than £1,000 a year better off living in a private shared house.

Zoe Christo, 19, was thrown out of her Goodricke College room at the University of York for smoking, interfering with a smoke alarm and having unlit candles.

The first-year student claims the punishment is ‘disproportionate’, despite breaching the terms of her tenancy and fire safety regulations.

“Fortunately I was offered a place in a nearby student house and I am saving more than £1,000 in rent,” she said.

“Goodricke was extortionately priced and we were paying high-end rates for a site that wasn’t complete and lacked all the facilities that should have been made available. It was an absolute rip off.”

The university explained they have a clear fire safety policy and they were concerned Ms Christo’s disregard of the rules put other students at risk.

“Fire regulations are in place to ensure the safety of all occupants. It was made clear to students at the start of the academic year that smoking in university accommodation is unacceptable and is against university regulations,” said a spokesman.

“Students were also informed that interference with fire detection equipment is a criminal offence. Our action in this case was fully in accordance with the terms and conditions of the tenancy agreement and with university’s disciplinary procedures.”

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