Student accom-it's that time of the year:)

devildog

Have been asked by my 'child student' to be a guarantor for them this year. Have absolutely no concerns about them but obviously don't know about ones they will be sharing with.
Have got them to send me guarantor form/tenancy agreement to look through. The guarantor form states "Individual guarantor form" although I notice there is space for more than one name of person renting on it. It goes on to say that I wil be responsible for owed rent and any dilapidation that may accrue during the year should my son/daughter default(get that bit )
Then it states that guarantor agreement is personal agreement relating to my son/daughter alone and is separate to the tenancy agreement signed by son/daughter and that I understand I am not subject to,or party to, or have any liabilitiy under the said contract.
When I read the tenancy agreement it states where there is more than one tenant, all obligations, including those for rent and repairs can be enforced against all of the tenants jointly and against each individually.
So I guess what I am asking is could I be liable for all tenants or just mine?
Also read that tennants are responsible for arranging/paying for defective tap washers, is that reasonable? Fuses, batteries, light bulbs I accept but tap washers?
Also another clause stating that the washing machine can only be used when tennant is actually there in person. Seems extreme to me, why can't they put washing on and go out!
Never had to look at a rental contract before so please be kind

poppy10_2

devildog wrote: »

Also another clause stating that the washing machine can only be used when tennant is actually there in person. Seems extreme to me, why can't they put washing on and go out!

That clause won't be enforceable

SJ32116

That bit about the lightbulbs, fuses etc has been in both my tenancy agreements I've signed while in Student housing. Tap washers seems a bit over the top though.

When you do take a house on I'd make sure at the end of the tenancy all that stuff is up to date and working. My last tenancy had set charges if that clause wasn't met and it was ridiculous like £5 per lightbulb replacement etc so I tested them all before I ended the tenancy.

A mate of mine had a few small issues like that when he handed over the keys and it ate up a fair bit of his deposit.

dizziblonde

Nothing to do with the actual contract but - please please please make sure the gas safety's well in order. Speaking from bitter experience here when we had a far too close for comfort brush with carbon monoxide poisioning in our own student house - some landlords are fantastic, some... less scrupulous.

bouncydog1

At DD's Uni there is a department that reviews all of the tenancy contracts (if the students want them to) before they sign.

The dept can then advise if there is anything in there that's unreasonable.

As to the washing machine part, LL's have been flooded which is why they put this in. Although you have been advised it's uneforceable, as it's in the contract terms which they will sign you may find that if there was a flood and they had been out, then the landlord may go after them for cost of repairing damage.

devildog

Thanks for all your input. The washing machine clause is absurd, what happens if they put it on at night and go to bed? They aren't going to know if it has flooded until they wake up, are they!
My eldest's uni does check the contracts, but eldest is currently overseas on a year's placement and is arranging online!!From what I understand someone who is in the accom now will also be there next year(plus 2 students who are currently overseas) and & uni isn't on my doorstep either.
I think I am going to have to get in touch with them and see if this landlord is on their list (and whether the gas has been checked too)
Then. if that is all ok I guess a legal type person to explain exactly what I am signing up to as guarantor because the two types of paperwork appear to contradict each other.
Didn't have any of this to contend with in year 2(Sep will be year 4) and I feel out of my depth