rights in university accommodation

foolofbeans

My DD lives in student accommodation provided by the university she attends.
There are regular inspections and she is ok with that but today they came to inspect the room and unlocked the door and walked in on her in a state of undress and she feels very upset about it.
She had answered "one moment" when they knocked on the door and then they unlocked the door and pushed past her saying "hello, just an inspection".
DD is quite confident in her body and so when she says she felt uncomfortable it is not an over reaction. She was in skimpy shorts and top and had shouted "one moment" in order that she could put her dressing gown on but didn't get the chance.
They had notified students of an inspection this week so notice was appropriate but no specific day or time was given so she couldn't have been prepared.
Does she still have the right to quiet enjoyment or does that not apply as she is only afforded basic protection?

billy-bo

She has the right to privacy. She should have been given time to answer the door herself. She should complain to her student services department.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

Regardless of 'rights' (which will be difficult to enforce and by July when she moves in with her friends immaterial), her university will have a housing department who will take this extremely seriously. They should be first port of call. After that, the student union will help. But in my experience, the uni housing officers were brilliant.

foolofbeans

Thank you both, we are writing a letter of complaint. Having looked at the complaints policy, there is an informal procedure but I think this definitely needs a more formal complaint in order that a written response is received.
It just would have been useful to be able to quote 'peaceful enjoyment' and ask for confirmed dates and times in future.

G_M

foolofbeans wrote: »

My DD lives in student accommodation provided by the university she attends.
There are regular inspections and she is ok with that but today they came to inspect the room and unlocked the door and walked in on her in a state of undress and she feels very upset about it.

This is totally unacceptable.

The member of staff involved should be given an official warning, and advised to dress fully & properly before undertaking inspections.

Davesnave

Back in my student days, there was none of this privacy stuff or locks on the doors.

When we complained we were told off the record, "Some of the female students can get overwrought and a few have tried suicide. We can't risk having them locked-in. "

Therefore, it was only right and fair for we blokes to have non-lockable doors as well.

Fortunately, the problem was easily solved. Someone discovered that a standard uni chair fitted very snugly under the door handle, so we were all free to take an overdose any time we liked, although in my time, the ability to be private was useful for other more pleasant activities.

Your[STRIKE] girlfriend[/STRIKE] daughter needs to find an appropriate chair.

anselld

foolofbeans wrote: »

Thank you both, we are writing a letter of complaint. Having looked at the complaints policy, there is an informal procedure but I think this definitely needs a more formal complaint in order that a written response is received.
It just would have been useful to be able to quote 'peaceful enjoyment' and ask for confirmed dates and times in future.

Your daughter should make the complaint, not "we".

princeofpounds

Your daughter should make the complaint, not "we".

This.


There will be official channels, one for the housing service, one for the university, and the Union too (this is one of the things the Union is there for).


She does not have the same rights as an ordinary tenant in a university-owned and run building, they are a category of their own under law. But I'm also pretty sure they can't just barge in, outside of emergency situations.

missbiggles1

foolofbeans wrote: »

Thank you both, we are writing a letter of complaint. Having looked at the complaints policy, there is an informal procedure but I think this definitely needs a more formal complaint in order that a written response is received.
It just would have been useful to be able to quote 'peaceful enjoyment' and ask for confirmed dates and times in future.

Why isn't she the one taking any necessary action herself - even if she thinks action's necessary at all?

missbiggles1

Davesnave wrote: »

Back in my student days, there was none of this privacy stuff or locks on the doors.

When we complained we were told off the record, "Some of the female students can get overwrought and a few have tried suicide. We can't risk having them locked-in. "

Therefore, it was only right and fair for we blokes to have non-lockable doors as well.

Fortunately, the problem was easily solved. Someone discovered that a standard uni chair fitted very snugly under the door handle, so we were all free to take an overdose any time we liked, although in my time, the ability to be private was useful for other more pleasant activities.

Your girlfriend needs to find an appropriate chair.

In my student days, on sheet changing day, the cleaners used to shout "sheets" as they opened the door to drop them inside. You'd later hear them having a laugh and a chat about who was in bed with whom - nobody minded.

This girl had more clothes on than she'd have on the beach - you're encouraging her to overreact. (And who on earth would even think of bothering to think of telling a parent something like this anyway?)

theartfullodger

Occupant rights in halls of residence are very different from normal AST rights.

So whilst what happened is obviously wrong, suggest DD (she has the contract , not you) checks her tenancy agreement to see what sort she has. It may well outline regular inspections without prior warning.

Halls of residence outlined here..
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/student_housing/college_and_university_accommodation
- if so, she'd be a "occupier with basic protection" and could very easily be evicted.

Best regards