Student Accomodation cancellation of tennancy

M_Davies1

My daughter has an assured short-hold tenancy agreement for her halls of residence at university. Due to the current situation with coronavirus and travel restrictions she is at home and will not be returning to halls to take up the room for the final term. The university are completing all lectures online. Her agreement states she is liable for the full term and must pay her third instalment for the room for the third and final term, which she is now unable to use. Is there a way she can cancel the agreement and not have to pay c£1500 for a facility she will not be using? 

greatcrested

Yes.

Ask the University Accomodation Ofice if they will accept an Early Surrender of the tenancy.

Marvel1

  Is she still going to receive her loan for the term?

SallyDucati

Definitely contact the halls provider, whether University owned or private.  Some Universities may consider not charging for the last term. 

[Deleted User]

I've had the same problem myself with my student tenancy agreement, I went through avenues of contacting several people. I know now that many university have suspended 3rd term payments for those who have moved out. If her student accommodation is through a third party such as students or Unite Students, she might be able to be released from her contract given she's moved out before the third term. 
My advice: 
- Write a letter to her accommodation provider and university about a surrender of tenancy 
- Look through your contract, this might be far fetched, but under health and safety regulations, it is not advisable for her to stay there, espically as many universities have suspended cleaning communal areas, so you might be able to go through that avenue, especially if the contract doesn't include pandemics. 
- Write to them about the current governments advice and how this will impact your daughter. 
I think with so many other university accommodations cancelling 3rd term payments, they might let you know about it.  
I hope it all goes well

reidyaf

I think the government should issue guidelines around this as landlords can't afford to lose out so will be unlikely to terminate willingly, but if government step in with a form of compensation then maybe both sides could come out better off rather than the student incurring unnecessary debt, my son is in the same situation and i doubt very much his landlord will allow termination :-(

Jscottboutell

I am not sure how to go about this or if I am able to get back money in rent for my student accommodation. 

I moved to student accommodation for the year (they are a separate organisation, however, they work in partnership with my University). I am not living there as a private renter but as a student. I have set up my rent payments for 2 instalments of £8,000 for the whole year. I have paid both instalments and therefore I do not owe them any money... Since the 16th March, I have moved back home and I have some stuff left in my room at my accommodation, that I can still access and retrieve at the moment. however, with the latest news that  COVID-19 will last till June, I will be staying back home. 

My student accommodation contract runs till the 27th of June and I doubt that I would be living there if this situation is prolonged. 

Would I be able to be compensated for 2 months rent back as I am no longer living there any more? 

Please can you advise me on how I can go about this? 

[Deleted User]

If your stuff is in the room, you are there.

Slithery

Jscottboutell said:

Would I be able to be compensated for 2 months rent back as I am no longer living there any more?

You can ask, but you have no legal right to a refund as you (your property) are still occupying.

Mickygg

Marvel1 said:

  Is she still going to receive her loan for the term?

This has got absolutely nothing to do with whether the rental agreement  can be cancelled earlier. What a strange and unhelpful comment.

Marvel1

Mickygg said:

Marvel1 said:

  Is she still going to receive her loan for the term?

This has got absolutely nothing to do with whether the rental agreement  can be cancelled earlier. What a strange and unhelpful comment.

So anything helpful to advise the OP?