Student housing

chadarooney

I am in desperate need of help. My son has recently been diagnosed with a Syndrome, he has completed 2 years of University, but has struggled greatly and been advised to take a year off to stabilise his condition. the problem is the accommodation contract, they are not interested in our circumstances, and simply state that unless we can get a replacement, we are reponsible for the rent, which we haven't got, I am disabled and have little income. Please can anyout out there help us.

vuvuzela

Would the doctor put it in writing that he has advised your son to take a year's break ? That might help your case. If not, maybe consider going to the local paper of the town/city the University is in and seeing if they can be 'shamed' into giving a year's grace until he takes it up.

Elle7

Is the accommodation university owned, in which case it usually terminates if you stop studying, or private? If it's private, it is through a student letting agency such as Unite, or a private landlord?

It's hard to advise without knowing who is involved. The university will usually be a lot more reasonable than private letting agencies.

When is the accommodation for? The coming year, starting in September?

chadarooney

My son doesn't want everyone to know just yet, still coming to terms himself. I was hoping there might be some legal loop hole some one might know. Thanks anyway.

chadarooney

Elle7 wrote: »

Is the accommodation university owned, in which case it usually terminates if you stop studying, or private? If it's private, it is through a student letting agency such as Unite, or a private landlord?

It's hard to advise without knowing who is involved. The university will usually be a lot more reasonable than private letting agencies.

When is the accommodation for? The coming year, starting in September?

it is a private house with one other tenant, the contract begins end of august for 11 months.

tbs624

OP - you may want to remove the name of the LA. That together with your son's condition details may help ID you/your son.

A tenancy is a binding contract and what you have been told is correct. The LL doesn't have to agree to your son reneging and if he does agree he is entitled to expect your son to meet his reasonable reletting costs and to pay the rent until the new T can be found. Your son and the other T should get on and help readvertsie the propety at the Uni accomms office, sites such as https://www.accommodationforstudents.com, http://www.homesforstudents.co.uk/ , http://www.studentpad.co.uk/ & on The Student Room forum etc.

It's in the other lad's interest to help because (a) he will obviously have to live with the new person and (b) if there is joint and several liability the LL can pursue him for the full rent if your son fails to cough up (note however that the other T could then pursue your son to court)

The main thing is not to panic - clearing starts mid August and there will be lots of students looking for accommodation.. There will also be students returning from placement years who have missed out on the accomms loop for the upcoming academic year plus those who like to avoid paying retainers across the summer and look for last minute vacancies. If necessary consider offering a small financial inducement - perhaps 50 quid towards first month's rent or some Tesco/Sains vouchers.

tbs624

vuvuzela wrote: »

Would the doctor put it in writing that he has advised your son to take a year's break ? That might help your case. If not, maybe consider going to the local paper of the town/city the University is in and seeing if they can be 'shamed' into giving a year's grace until he takes it up.

You are assuming that the accommodation is Uni owned & managed when it is not. Going to a local paper is hardly going to help with the "stabilising" of the OP's son's personal circumstances is it?