WWU student stuck with apartment he doesn’t need due to pandemic

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — A Western Washington University student says he’s being stuck with a big bill for an apartment that he doesn’t need because of the pandemic.

Gilton Quick says he signed a $10,000 lease with Elevate Bellingham in the spring when competition for housing is fierce and the effect of COVID-19 on fall classes was unknown.

He’s since learned that the classes he needs to graduate will all be held on-line and he doesn’t need to rent in Bellingham.

But Elevate is holding him to the lease since the university is offering some classes in-person.

Quick says he can sublease the apartment but Elevate still charges a $700 fee to make the change.

Elevate tells KING 5 that it’s cutting that fee in half, but Quick says he hasn’t received that offer.