Student accommodation

jamgeli

Where do we stand if as is the norm students sign rental agreements and pay deposits prior to semesters starting and then due to convos 19 they don’t start university terms on time . Do we still have to pay for private accommodation if it is not taken up due to the virus 

greatcrested

A contract has been signed and as far as I know there has been no leglislation or regulation introduced that affects or negates contracts of that nature.

But hopefully landlords, like others in society, will be flexible where COVID-19 impacts on peoples'  lives. Speak to the LL/agent and come to some agreement.

But surely it's unusual for students to arrange accommodation on a term by term basis? Usually they take out a contract to cover the full academic or calender year. If you are concerned about a contract due to start in the summer sometime, then

* if the student has the virus now or in the next few weeks, they will have recovered by then

* if they contract the virus in early/mid summer, they might have to delay taking up the accommodation and university place by a few weeks, but will then need the accommodation after that.

People of (typical) student age recover prety fast, unless of course they have some underlying pre-existing condition.

silvercar

jamgeli said:

Where do we stand if as is the norm students sign rental agreements and pay deposits prior to semesters starting and then due to convos 19 they don’t start university terms on time . Do we still have to pay for private accommodation if it is not taken up due to the virus 

Students entered a fixed term contract that they have to honour. They have the right to stay in the accommodation even if they don't have lectures, in fact many will do so because they have local to uni jobs or their home situation means they stay in their uni town most of the time.
From a financial viewpoint, students will still receive their student loans/ grants and have to pay rent as originally planned. Those that choose to go home may save money because they won't be paying for utilities at the uni rental and their parents may pay for some of their food at home.

MCI

For what it's worth, universities are really the leaders in educating remotely. I think term will go ahead. My husband works in higher education and things are already remote but still happening. And if the student gets the virus they will likely recover in a couple weeks.

greatcrested

UCL, like other universities, has closed most buildings and stopped lectures and face-to-face  teaching, with online teaching being introduced. But students still need to live somewhere - university residences are still open, and those in private accommodation still need to live there, so their contracts remain in place. If they choose to go 'home', that is their choice, just like any other choice to leave their accommodation eg for a holiday, or any other temporary or permenant reason.