Students not allowed - is this legal?

Head-Out-Of-Sand

GrammarGirl wrote: »

The words student, tar, same and brush come up an awful lot in this thread.

It does, but it's difficult to think of another way of phrasing it!!!

I don't think people are having a go and suggesting that the OP is not "worldly wise", just giving points of view that explain why landlords would take this approach.

Not everyone who is a student is a reckless, inconsiderate liability, just as every "professional" is not necessarily a tidy, conscientious, considerate person (judging by some of the "professional" lodgers I've had!) but you make important decisions such as letting your property out to someone, which is a big commitment, based on risk. The lifestyle that is often associated with students, whether it applies to someone individually or not, is one that is more likely on the whole to lead to problems with noise, upset neighbours and damage.

It can seem a bit unfair if you personally do not behave like that, but letting out a property is essentially a business transaction, and businesses work on calculating risk.

I like the 5k deposit idea I certainly never had a spare £5k when I was studying!! (well, I did, but it had a - in front of it!!)

foxxymynx

ghostmadlittlemiss wrote: »

There's a letting agency in the city where I live with the following sign in the window: "I'm sorry, we do not deal with student lettings." I can't help but feel that this must be illegal. After all, if you replaced 'student' with 'Jewish' or 'black', it certainly wouldn't be allowed. Is it in fact illegal and if so, what do I go about doing about it? I'd prefer not to have to go into the place or ring them to complain as I'm not very good with confrontation so if anyone can suggest anything that could be done by post or e-mail, that would be great. I am a student and I don't think it's very fair for them to keep us away from these houses, especially as some of them look lovely.
Kayleigh

It's private letting - the landlord has the right to decide to whom they let the property to. They are quite within their rights to decline anyone whom they wish and private lettings are not covered by discrimination laws. Many landlords stipulate no children or pets in their advertisemnets and some even stipulate a specific age group.

3plus1

When I was a student, I rented a gorgeous new build in a residential area. I have to say, I was good tenant. No loud music, no antagonising the neighbours, things in need of repair reported promptly, no problem with the landlords popping round without notice for a chat, rent paid on time...

However, I only had to visit my friends who were living in proper 'student areas' to understand why a non-student would go crazy living in a street full of students. I like a good party, but from time to time, I like to sleep. It's a lovely thing to do.

As it stands, I now rent a flat in a lovely old listing building - and students have moved in. They are incredibly loud, they steal mail (a courrier gave them something of mine for no particular reason - the students aren't on my floor and I didn't leave instructions for my deliveries to be given to anyone else!) and their delightful friends punched a hole in the wall of the communal stairway. Needless to say, what with the building made up of a mixture of owners, tenants and empty flats, it'll never get fixed.

If I had a property to market, there is no way I'd let to students. And I used to be one. There are some who are responsible, but the majority aren't, and it's just not worth the risk!

Running_Horse

xelaine88x wrote: »

Sorry that you feel the need to tar everyone with the same brush... I am a 20 year old student and I smoke, and my partner always rings the landlord. Take it you wouldn't be renting to me

Why would I rent to someone who sets fire to cancerous materials that make my house stink? I was not a BTL fat cat, just someone renting out his spare rooms, and having to live in the same house.

The problem with many students is that university is their way of leaving home, and they come from an environment where everything has been done for them. One bloke at work house shared with a male who had never even washed his hair. After his shower he would call his mum to do it for him!!! I would rather share my home with mature adults.

xelaine88x

I don't smoke in the house actually, i always smoke outside and always have done.
I can appreciate that many people leaving home for the first time, whether students or not, may be disrespectful to other people or property. However, my point is that i don't think it's fair to judge people based on categories such as "student" or "under 21". I consider myself to be a good tenant and I am grateful that my landlord gave me a chance rather than putting me in a box based on my age/occupation/habits

anotherpaul_2

Ruth_Coombs wrote: »

We have to have student contracts running for Sept 1st to Aug 31st - mortgage companies still want money during the summer holidays. If all the students (no non-students accommodated) stay on same course for another year, then we get full exemption for the summer break. However, if one, two or more are leaving either the course or the house in the June/July or Aug we are hit with CT. I really object to this.

Speaking only with (long) past experience as a student renter... I though most student contracts ran from June to June (ish) to avoid this? Then there wouldn't (usually) be non-students associated with the house.

Of course, I probably don't know anything, since I've never been a landlord.

Head-Out-Of-Sand

anotherpaul wrote: »

Speaking only with (long) past experience as a student renter... I though most student contracts ran from June to June (ish) to avoid this? Then there wouldn't (usually) be non-students associated with the house.

Of course, I probably don't know anything, since I've never been a landlord.

I think it depends on the LA/LL - when I was at uni (about 5-6 years ago) we paid August-June, or Sept-June with a holding rent for august. I think it depends on demand and how competitive the landlords have to be?

space_rider

I`ve got a daughter who is at uni in Luton. Her room in a 2 year old house was beautiful when we moved in. When she left for uni it was a big mess. Walls ruined and so was the carpet. When we went to look at student houses, she was turning her nose up at the poor choice of accommodation. I couldn`t understand why as she had actually trashed her room at home.

Her 8 year old sister has moved into her old room, she keeps it very clean and tidy and has pride in her new room.

Would I want to rent to students. I`m afraid I would have to say no!

Got to add that the rest of the house wasn`t a hovel, just her room!

Running_Horse

xelaine88x wrote: »

I don't smoke in the house actually, i always smoke outside and always have done.
I can appreciate that many people leaving home for the first time, whether students or not, may be disrespectful to other people or property. However, my point is that i don't think it's fair to judge people based on categories such as "student" or "under 21". I consider myself to be a good tenant and I am grateful that my landlord gave me a chance rather than putting me in a box based on my age/occupation/habits

Just wait until you own your own home.