BOURNEMOUTH University students have been told they must pay the final instalment for their accommodation in full despite being unable to access their rooms.

The four university halls owned by Australian student accommodation provider Campus Living Villages will remain open for international students, however those not currently living there are being told to continue paying their rent.

MP Conor Burns has called on the firm to “be reasonable” in dealings with the tenants.

In an email sent to students, the firm said: “As the building is open and considering our obligations, we are not financially able to release you from any liability under your contract.

“If you are not in the village, given the current government advice on non-essential travel, please do not visit the village or request collection of anything that you have left in your room.

“You will not be able to access the village or your room at this time.

“If you are still in the village, in line with government advice, we strongly advise that you do not leave, even if you are able to. We will continue to provide you with a safe and secure place to live.”

Students living at Lyme Regis House, Cranborne House, Chesil House and Okeford House have all been affected.

Masters student Alex Pontefract, who lives at Chesil House, said: “As a prospective student, you envision that you will get what you pay for but I never envisioned quite as much as this, especially considering that my biggest expense was not the degree itself but the student halls accommodation I had to rent to study there.

“I gave up a career in teaching and used the majority of my savings to move to Bournemouth and study here, and at the moment I’m left thinking what I could have achieved elsewhere."

Antoni Dembski, an 18-year-old first year student studying law, said: “If I am not mistaken the government has pledged to pay a percentage of the wages of key workers during this trying time, so I do not understand why tenants should have to pay for a service that they no longer have access to.

“I appreciate why CLV has to keep this accommodation open due to international students not being able to return home, but I do not understand why tenants that were advised to go home to their non-term address, are still expected to pay for a room that they cannot enter and cannot use any of the facilities they are paying for."

Dozens of students have contacted the MP for Bournemouth West Conor Burns with their concerns.

He said: “These are uncertain times and I want to assure you that I recognise that measures being taken to save lives will necessarily disrupt our normal way of life. This sadly will include disruption to students’ education.

Legally, it is for the providers of student accommodation to decide whether they require their tenants to pay fees or not.

“I have however contacted five of the principal providers in Bournemouth, including all those listed in emails to me, calling on them to be reasonable in their dealings with their tenants during this difficult period, and to announce their decisions as soon as possible.

“Whilst talks are continuing between universities, providers and the Government I want to assure you that as a serving Minister in the Government I will be speaking to my colleagues to make representations on your behalf.”