Student tenancy agreement termination

voip03

My daughter's university has moved to online learning due to the covid-19 pandemic.

I would like her to come home as her accommodation building is shared with other student.  She is paying £140 a week until July. My daughter sent an email to her accommodation to terminate her contract early, their reply was:

"Our policy states that, should you wish to be released from the contract, you will have to find yourself a replacement tenant to which you would transfer your contract." 

In this current climate, what is the best option we have, as I am a guarantor for her. 

What is the advice you can give me

25/03/2020
After pressure from all students and parents, Unite Students have done a U turn. They will not be charging students for the third term.
Thank you to the people who gave great advice.

gary83

read the contract to confirm what they’re saying is correct, you have already done that right?

read the other thread on the same subject, make sure your daughter understands the consequences on yourself  if she doesn’t stick to her obligations. Depending on the type of contract you’ve both signed look at your obligations if her housemates don’t pay.

Retireby40

"I would like her to come home". Unfortunately that doesnt cut it. 

Can she live in the house? Yes 
Is the landlord providing the same service? Yes 
Is the landlord or other tenant going to lose out because you would like something? Yes.

Your child could comfortably live in the house, carry on with their work, gain more skills on being an independent adult like cooking, cleaning, maintaining a household and organising their own time. 

It isnt nice paying for a service that you arent using but that is your choice not to use it. I would look at the contract and if it states what has been said then pay the money. To try to get another tenant for 4 months will be impossible as it's likely to be students who live in that area and they will already have a place.

I would pay the landlord. They are still providing the same service. Your situation has changed but that doesnt change the fact they can live in the house.

voip03

gary83 said:

read the contract to confirm what they’re saying is correct, you have already done that right?

read the other thread on the same subject, make sure your daughter understands the consequences on yourself  if she doesn’t stick to her obligations. Depending on the type of contract you’ve both signed look at your obligations if her housemates don’t pay.

The clause in this contract is very vague, but we have read through the contract many times. She entirely understands her obligations to the contract and the consequences, which is why she asked my self and the university. 
If her housemates don't pay, it will not affect her as it is a student accommodation and contracts are separate. 

voip03

Retireby40 said:

"I would like her to come home". Unfortunately that doesnt cut it. 

Can she live in the house? Yes 
Is the landlord providing the same service? Yes 
Is the landlord or other tenant going to lose out because you would like something? Yes.

Your child could comfortably live in the house, carry on with their work, gain more skills on being an independent adult like cooking, cleaning, maintaining a household and organising their own time. 

It isnt nice paying for a service that you arent using but that is your choice not to use it. I would look at the contract and if it states what has been said then pay the money. To try to get another tenant for 4 months will be impossible as it's likely to be students who live in that area and they will already have a place.

I would pay the landlord. They are still providing the same service. Your situation has changed but that doesnt change the fact they can live in the house.

She is hesitant to stay at her flat, it is a large building that accommodates thousands of students, they also live in close proximity to one another and with this, the risk of transmission is high. 
It is not as easy as saying she is able to live in the flat, she does suffer from health conditions which makes both herself and I more concerned. 
On top of this, she is not comfortable staying in her accommodation and in regards developing her skills as an adult, she is more than capable of doing that. both her and my queries were in respect to the new government guidelines and changes amid the Covid-19 outbreak. 
Many other countries has suspended payments and such in regards to housing, I was hoping to receive some advice on that. 

Retireby40

voip03 said:

Retireby40 said:

"I would like her to come home". Unfortunately that doesnt cut it. 

Can she live in the house? Yes 
Is the landlord providing the same service? Yes 
Is the landlord or other tenant going to lose out because you would like something? Yes.

Your child could comfortably live in the house, carry on with their work, gain more skills on being an independent adult like cooking, cleaning, maintaining a household and organising their own time. 

It isnt nice paying for a service that you arent using but that is your choice not to use it. I would look at the contract and if it states what has been said then pay the money. To try to get another tenant for 4 months will be impossible as it's likely to be students who live in that area and they will already have a place.

I would pay the landlord. They are still providing the same service. Your situation has changed but that doesnt change the fact they can live in the house.

She is hesitant to stay at her flat, it is a large building that accommodates thousands of students, they also live in close proximity to one another and with this, the risk of transmission is high. 
It is not as easy as saying she is able to live in the flat, she does suffer from health conditions which makes both herself and I more concerned. 
On top of this, she is not comfortable staying in her accommodation and in regards developing her skills as an adult, she is more than capable of doing that. both her and my queries were in respect to the new government guidelines and changes amid the Covid-19 outbreak. 
Many other countries has suspended payments and such in regards to housing, I was hoping to receive some advice on that. 

Is she renting of a private landlord or is she staying in halls of residents belonging to the university?

If the government do come to an arrangement where you child doesnt have to pay the rent are you going to give the loan back to student finance as they wont need it for studying? Means in the future less debt so would make sense.

voip03

Retireby40 said:

voip03 said:

Retireby40 said:

"I would like her to come home". Unfortunately that doesnt cut it. 

Can she live in the house? Yes 
Is the landlord providing the same service? Yes 
Is the landlord or other tenant going to lose out because you would like something? Yes.

Your child could comfortably live in the house, carry on with their work, gain more skills on being an independent adult like cooking, cleaning, maintaining a household and organising their own time. 

It isnt nice paying for a service that you arent using but that is your choice not to use it. I would look at the contract and if it states what has been said then pay the money. To try to get another tenant for 4 months will be impossible as it's likely to be students who live in that area and they will already have a place.

I would pay the landlord. They are still providing the same service. Your situation has changed but that doesnt change the fact they can live in the house.

She is hesitant to stay at her flat, it is a large building that accommodates thousands of students, they also live in close proximity to one another and with this, the risk of transmission is high. 
It is not as easy as saying she is able to live in the flat, she does suffer from health conditions which makes both herself and I more concerned. 
On top of this, she is not comfortable staying in her accommodation and in regards developing her skills as an adult, she is more than capable of doing that. both her and my queries were in respect to the new government guidelines and changes amid the Covid-19 outbreak. 
Many other countries has suspended payments and such in regards to housing, I was hoping to receive some advice on that. 

Is she renting of a private landlord or is she staying in halls of residents belonging to the university?

If the government do come to an arrangement where you child doesnt have to pay the rent are you going to give the loan back to student finance as they wont need it for studying? Means in the future less debt so would make sense.

She is renting Hall but this is through a private company called Unite Students, the university has told her that they have no influence on this. 
And definitely less debt is better, this is in fact what she was discussing with me.  

gary83

maybe stating the obvious & you checked unites website to answer the question before coming on here.

Seems they’re acting responsibly, they’re actually doing more than they have to. If she has a genuine medical condition that could lead to this being a problem & probably just as relevantly you have medical documentation or background that can help evidence it (im not doubting you, I’m just guessing you won’t be the only person seeing if you can be released from a unite contract, I expect they’re scrutinising requests pretty carefully) there could be a chance to not have to pay the money.

https://www.unitestudents.com/the-common-room/health-and-wellbeing/coronavirus-covid-19-what-you-need-to-know

i think you’ll be a lot more successful with a well written & evidenced explanation, with a positive attitude when you deal with the company rather than trying to find a  loophole, or any other way to get out of a contract.

voip03

Thank Gary,
Before coming to this forum for advice, I had checked their website.
As you can see, it wasn't very helpful, the website on provides basic advice. 
The covid-19 pandemic is something no one had predicted, myself, other parents and students are now facing the same situation.

gary83

voip03 said:

Thank Gary,
Before coming to this forum for advice, I had checked their website.
As you can see, it wasn't very helpful, the website on provides basic advice. 
The covid-19 pandemic is something no one had predicted, myself, other parents and students are now facing the same situation.

I’m genuinely confused, You think their websites not very helpful? Yet It answers exactly the question you were asking....

“We’re aware that a lot of universities and schools have made the decision to close down campus or move away from face-to-face teaching, with many of you being asked to work from home until further notice. We will therefore continue to provide a safe and secure home in which our customers can live and study.

If you're living with us and would like to end your tenancy early, our standard cancellation policyapplies.

If you believe you need to leave your tenancy for medical reasons, please put your request in writing to cancellations@unitestudents.com. Our team will review your request and respond within 48 hours.”

just because it’s not announcing a “free contract annulment for everyone” policy that you’re hoping for doesn’t mean it’s not helpful. You said above you wanted her to move home for a medical reason so If she does have a medical reason to leave the tenancy then apply as they’ve told her to do so, (they didn’t have to offer that) otherwise follow the cancellation period she agreed to when she signed the contract.

Retireby40

gary83 said:

voip03 said:

Thank Gary,
Before coming to this forum for advice, I had checked their website.
As you can see, it wasn't very helpful, the website on provides basic advice. 
The covid-19 pandemic is something no one had predicted, myself, other parents and students are now facing the same situation.

I’m genuinely confused, You think their websites not very helpful? Yet It answers exactly the question you were asking....

“We’re aware that a lot of universities and schools have made the decision to close down campus or move away from face-to-face teaching, with many of you being asked to work from home until further notice. We will therefore continue to provide a safe and secure home in which our customers can live and study.

If you're living with us and would like to end your tenancy early, our standard cancellation policyapplies.

If you believe you need to leave your tenancy for medical reasons, please put your request in writing to cancellations@unitestudents.com. Our team will review your request and respond within 48 hours.”

just because it’s not announcing a “free contract annulment for everyone” policy that you’re hoping for doesn’t mean it’s not helpful. You said above you wanted her to move home for a medical reason so If she does have a medical reason to leave the tenancy then apply as they’ve told her to do so, (they didn’t have to offer that) otherwise follow the cancellation period she agreed to when she signed the contract.

As the above says go through the proper channels as above. Speak to the university and send them all the details of your child's medical condition and they may be able to help sort it out.

If alls ok and you get what you need drop Student Finance a call and see if they can cancel sending them a loan in April which will reduce the cost in the future as obviously the loan wont be needed.