Halls fine

Blacksheep1979

They probably see it as why should they claim and then have to pay the excess and increased premiums.

MissMoneypenny

Blacksheep1979 wrote: »

It may make a difference in halls, but in a joint household with a joint tennancy it wouldn't make a difference.

That is not what The Office of Fair Trading told me. It was a joint household that I asked them about. I repeat my post "When I spoke to the OFT about it, they were interested. They said they viewed it as an unfair clause in a contract if others were made responsible for another student's bedroom. The EA caved and adopted that stance too."

Just because it is in a contract, it doesn't mean it is fair. Someone cannot take away your legal rights in a contract.

Blacksheep1979

I do understand how contracts work and about unfair clauses however the oft do not make the rulings at the end of the day in court.

MissMoneypenny

Blacksheep1979 wrote: »

the oft do not make the rulings at the end of the day in court.

Look at my post number 35 in this thread. It saves me having to cut and paste from the previous page again.

Blacksheep1979

yes can be used as evidence in court - doesn't mean the court will take their word for it. Kind of like you can use an expert witness in court but the court can choose to ignore them.

Picnic_2

As mentioned by someone above, try speaking to someone in your SU. Some universities also have a person in the accommodation office who specialises with helping out students with private rentals, checking contracts, etc. they might be able to help.

I don't quite understand how "the management" are unable to contact him - if it is a joint contract with a private landlord, surely you all had to put your full home addresses on? And if it is university-owned halls, the uni will have all his details on file.

Read your contract thoroughly before doing any decorating - I'm sure ours (when I lived out in my 2nd/3rd years) specifically said we weren't allowed to redecorate anywhere.

Also be careful in the long-run if the halls are university-owned, because if you don't pay and it goes on your record as an "outstanding fine to the university", they can refuse to let you graduate.

Blacksheep1979

Even if they can contact the student the fact that he is in another country would make it very difficult if not impossible to get monies for repairs from him.

Oldernotwiser

Blacksheep1979 wrote: »

Even if they can contact the student the fact that he is in another country would make it very difficult if not impossible to get monies for repairs from him.

Has he finished his course?

seaweasel

While you might end up being liable for some money for repairs, what they're asking for seems completely disproportionate. You mentioned that the halls are run by a private company, but are they owned by your university, or at least connected in some way?

In any case, speak to your union or SRC about it, and perhaps the CAB too. Hopefully if you get someone to lobby for you then the situation will be resolved, or at least you won't have to give them so much money.

Also, IANAL, however if this did go to court I'd guess that the magistrate/sheriff/judge would agree that this company are trying to screw you somewhat, even if you are found to be liable for some of the damage.