Non refundable deposit

Maudimus

Hi everyone,
My daughters school recently changed their policy with regards to its year 6 residential.... it is now being offered to years 3 & 4 (about time if you ask me!).
Letters were sent home asking for a £50 deposit to be paid by the end of March - no mention of 'non refundable' or a time limit as to when this could be claimed back.
Daughter was really excited and so deposit was paid.
Since then, her best friend has announced that she is moving house and schools in September and so can no longer go on the residential.... she has claimed her money back. Her other friend isn't going due to financial issues and so now my daughter is having second thoughts!!
Residential isn't until the summer of 2019 but, school are saying that the deposit is non refundable as they have already paid. Only way of getting deposit back now will be if they can find another student to take my daughters place. Is this right??? Should I argue the point??

bris

It's correct, by paying a deposit you are confirming the contract. They are also abiding by the law by mitigating their losses if they find another student to take the place.

Aylesbury_Duck

As bris says, they are doing the right thing. That's what a deposit is for.

Svein_Forkbeard

I assume your daughter is in the less mature age groups?

Anyway she has a year to make new friends.

marlot

The school are obliged to mitigate their loss. They're doign this by saying that if someone comes forward who will take the place you can have a refund. THat sounds entirely legal and correct.