Private accomodation costs out of term time and get out rights?

Heth_2

I've always got my deposits back when I've rented. Sometimes it has taken a bit of nagging, and once they took about 20 pounds off for some decorating (but in this case I was there when the decorator did the work, and we did see the bill for it, so they weren't conning us).

When I was a student I shared with girls, 4 of us, and we did know each other. Not sure if that makes it easier or not, but we had to sign a joint contract for the year so if any of us wanted to move out we would have to pay the rent for the whole year or find someone to replace us. They had 1 and 1/2 times a months rent deposit from us. Two of us stayed in the same house the following year as well, and we had to find 2 more to join us. The letting agency asked for a small deposit in the winter when we signed the contract, and then when the new contract started in the summer they gave us the difference back so they had 1 1/2 months rent.
We had a 12 month contract and did live there in the 'holidays'.....I did a very intensive course and really had to use the 'holidays' to study in to get the best degree.

surfcat

Sorry, I assumed you meant a holding deposit for the place, rather than the actual deposit for living there. Can't see why black-saturn never got any of hers back however, I've always had mine returned. If they don't then small claims court, easypeasy.

bliss

Im a student but havent found anyone to lvie with next year, am thinkin of waiting til septemeber to look as i *could* commute for a little while, will they expect me to pay from the previous june/july even tho i havent been there etc?

sockospice

bliss wrote:

Im a student but havent found anyone to lvie with next year, am thinkin of waiting til septemeber to look as i *could* commute for a little while, will they expect me to pay from the previous june/july even tho i havent been there etc?

You should theoretically be in a better position for bargaining, as any landlord who has yet to lease their property will be keen to get someone in, as they will be faced with the potential of not leasing their property all year (if they are specifically aimed at students). Alternatively, there will be students who have rented a larger house and who will have spare rooms: there are always adverts up around uni, and they'll be keen to let the rooms so that they don't cop for the rent for them.

Lady_K

I'm not exactly sure what the deposit was for but just that it was £175. It may be a holding deposit as she hasnt signed any contracts yet

muddled_midget

Hi
I've lived in student houses for 3 years now, after a year in halls. I've always paid a 'retainer' for the summer months (July and August) but this is on the condition that I don't live there, if you want to live there you're usually liable for full rent, plus full bills for that time, unless you've got a very ncie landlord (the only way to get around the bills is if he's doing work on the house, then you can argue he's using electricity etc). But you are normally signing a contract for 12 months, with difficult get-out clauses. If your daughter was really unhappy she would be able to move out, but would be liable for rent until someone was found to take over, and then probably a fee for transferring the contract.
On the plus side, I lived with 4 guys in my second year and it was fantastic, although they were guys I'd lived with in halls so knew all their nasty habits.
I've always got my deposit back as well, apart from a fiver once cos we couldn't be bothered to clean the fridge or the mould from round the shower!

byb3

muddled_midget wrote:

I've always got my deposit back as well, apart from a fiver once cos we couldn't be bothered to clean the fridge or the mould from round the shower!

We've just been quoted £65 for any work that has to be done in the house after we leave. Even the hoover bag not being emptied!!

bliss

Im worrying about not gettin deposits back at the end of the year! I cant afford another £150+ per year!!! Its terrible if youve left it in thesame way as it was when you moved in and they still try and con you!

One tip may be to get a digicam on all the problems the day you move in... bluetac marks on wall+ crakcs atc, with a date on them. Then at least youd have something to back you up if they try and charge you for problems that were already there!

Lady_K

Yes they have forms to fill in in some of the halls my daughter was at from the day you move in. You just write every problem there is around the place so they know from day one. But yes getting pictures and dates is good but I'd make sure the landlord sees it straight away if there is anything so he can't come back on you later

surfcat

bliss wrote:

Im worrying about not gettin deposits back at the end of the year! I cant afford another £150+ per year!!! Its terrible if youve left it in thesame way as it was when you moved in and they still try and con you!

One tip may be to get a digicam on all the problems the day you move in... bluetac marks on wall+ crakcs atc, with a date on them. Then at least youd have something to back you up if they try and charge you for problems that were already there!

This is a good idea as it will make solving disputes easier. However, if you decide to go to court, the onus will be on the LL to prove cost incurred, and the state of the property beforehand. If there is no inventory for example, it would be up to the landlord to prove there was a dyson hoover. He could not just say "you've taken my dyson hoover, I'm taking £150 from your deposit".

And to the person being charged £65 to empty a hoover bag..take the !!!!!! to court.