Guarantor request by LL for student accomodation

silvercar

exiled_red wrote: »

There will still be places available, most continuing students will have their accomodation sorted out, but A-level results were only out last week so first year students who were unable to get University accomodation will just be starting to look for places.

Most universities virtually guarantee accommodation for first years, even those who came off clearing. Many cities also have private halls which are increasingly popular.

If I was a landlord of a student house that still hadn't been booked for the academic year, I would have cast my net wider to non-students by now.

When my son decided in an early September to do a masters, he found the choice of houses for students grotty. To the extent that the group of them split into two smaller groups and took flats rather than houses. These were flats that were not particular studenty and so he was lucky that they came available at the right time of year.

OP has to think where son is going to live if the guarantor issue means this house is lost.

exiled_red

silvercar wrote: »

Most universities virtually guarantee accommodation for first years, even those who came off clearing. Many cities also have private halls which are increasingly popular.

If I was a landlord of a student house that still hadn't been booked for the academic year, I would have cast my net wider to non-students by now.

When my son decided in an early September to do a masters, he found the choice of houses for students grotty. To the extent that the group of them split into two smaller groups and took flats rather than houses. These were flats that were not particular studenty and so he was lucky that they came available at the right time of year.

OP has to think where son is going to live if the guarantor issue means this house is lost.

With the increasing number of students going to university some universities struggle to offer accomodation even to first years (I studied and worked at one such university for a while).

Private halls are an option and often have individual tennacy agreements so that might suit the OP, the down side to this is that the OP's son probably wouldn't have a say in who they live with.

When I was a student the place I had arranged to live one year fell through and I was left scrambling around at the last minute and it is definately something to be avoided if possible. The best places go really quickly, I would arrange a viewing and by the time I showed up a few hours later the place had gone. This type of situation leaves you in the position of either taking some grotty place that is still available for a reason, or paying a bit more and getting somewhere less studenty.

BobQ

aquitaine wrote: »

There you have it. You would clearly have no qualms about tricking them. Are you a landlord?

Technically yes I am but it is not a professional occupation, just necessary in my circumstances.

Actually I would not trick anyone, any more than you seem to appreciate humour. But your son needs to appreciate that some people will conceal the truth (call it trickery if you want) and rely on the gullibility of a buyer. All sales carry the caveat emptor qualification to a large extent.

So far you have said nothing that leads me to believe your son was conned. You have posted at length on this issue and have not yet seen what he signed.

BobQ

aquitaine wrote: »

My understanding is that they have already let to him. Or are we expected to pay landlords £1,000 or so for nothing in return?. And they do want unlimited liability (which they aren't going to get). It is them who are being unreasonable.

I think you still need to read the contract.

I doubt it asks for unlimited liability for their whole business. They will more likely want unlimited liability for "something" (ie loss of rent from the property, damage to contents, damage to buildings, reasonable expenses in sorting out the problems caused to the property or third parties). But if it does find somewhere else to live.

BobQ

aquitaine wrote: »

You are more than welcome. It is rather enjoyable isn't it?

Ah so it is fun is it? I think I shall put you on ignore. You are probably a troll.

silvercar

However this ends, there is a likelihood that your son won't be able to take on this property, either because you refuse to be a guarantor or because the letting agent gives up on arguing with you. You owe it to your son to have a discussion with him about where he will live nect year. Make sure he is looking at other options.

When_the_going_gets_tough

In reply to those who asked I think we were lucky not having to be a guarantor interestingly my children rented from professional landlords direct rather than through agents. Seemed to work better all round - for students house hunting I think it's worth trying to find some landlords directly.

aquitaine

BeatTheSystem wrote: »

Have you looked into this:

https://www.housinghand.co.uk/guarantor-service/

I have not but I understand that some landlords accept it. Not sure what the consequences for your son would be if he fails to pay rent or damages the property but at least you family home and wealth would not be at risk.

Thanks for the link. I tried that and they rejected it out of hand. They are determined to get unlimited liability.

aquitaine

BobQ wrote: »

Ah so it is fun is it? I think I shall put you on ignore. You are probably a troll.

By all means do so.

aquitaine

silvercar wrote: »

Most students have sorted out accommodation for this year months ago, most first years live in university or privately owned halls, so the private houses are sought by those in subsequent years who have got their act together and found houses much earlier in the year.

What you have left is either a new student let or the dregs. Depending on the town, there is a balance between the number of properties let and the number of groups seeking them. It could be either way, but I would bet that there aren't many decent properties available at this time of year. Lose this one and where will your son live. There is also the problem that if his current group proceed without him, who will he live with?

I didn't realise people sorted these things out ages ago, nor did son by the looks of things. I should think it is the landlord who is getting a bit worried as one assumes if they don't let their places by September they could be stuck with them. I will bear this in mind during the next interminable conversation with them. I might try demanding that the rent be decreased, that might wake them up a bit.