Help for friend on confusing tenancy agreement

ryouga

He moved into student accomodation into a private halls of residence, he had to get a form sent to him, scan in it with preferred dates and send it back, wait for company to generate a account for him, pay deposit and give references

The tenancy agreement is strange and I think the company has screwed up as it says conflicting things and since my friend is on benefits he worries it means he wont get them.

Rent is £69 per week, he originally planned to move in on the 13th June but as the account was only generated on the 11th the references took a few days to come in (company only lets people move in on a Saturday) so he did not move in to the 20th.

It was meant to be for 10 weeks so £690 so the contract and online payment asks for 2 payments of £345 but as he moved in a week later it should be £621 and they never updated the records(but contract does say adjustments will be made if needed)

Second it says its 18 weeks and doesnt mention weekly cost so we worry if he goes to council they will assume the £690 figure is for 16 weeks despite it saying 27th June to 22nd August which is 8 weeks(which is another confusion as he moved in on the 20th)

In the next box down it says £690 for 16 weeks!

So what can he do? He was meant to live for 10 weeks hence £690, then ended up being 9 weeks which would be £621 but the tenancy agreement is messed up so either he is worried council with give him half rent amount, or the company will want him to live there longer(which he wouldnt actually mind but the rent increases to £89 on their website but then again his contract says £ 690 (for 16 weeks) payable in installments.

There is some confusion on the wording of the deposit but thats not the main issue right now(basically it says the deposit is protected but if they decide damage has taken place they will add it to his account and if he doesnt pay they will deduct the money from his deposit and if its short he must immediately pay the balance)

So what to do? He is more worried about the council underpaying than the accomodation wanting him to stay longer but if they say the rent is £690 for 16 weeks and tenancy began on the 27th then can he turn round and say hes already paid 8 weeks worth of £345? Not that he will rip them off but if they have messed up the contract and refuse to change it and because of that he cant get correct benefit then its the accomodations fault not my friend.

EDIT : He also can print off the website details that state rent for summer months is £69 per week if that helps.

martindow

I'm sure his university or students' union will have a department dealing with housing problems. I would suggest he goes to them with the paperwork to seek their advice.