university private accomodation in a house of multiple occupancy

nomorekids

My daughter returned home mid march when one of the people living in her house got covid-19 and her dance college shut down the following day. The college has not said whether or not they will return after the easter break. Meanwhile next terms' rent is due. The amount she pays is £170 a week including all bills. Surely the landlord can not expect my daughter and her fellow 14 house mates to pay for now empty rooms? yes she signed a contract and yes we as parents are guarantors but this situation is unpresented, nothing in the contract to say "pay even if college shuts" or "pay even if you are sent home because another resident gets covid-19"  The house is now empty and will remain so whilst the college is shut and the students who normally would live there, stay at home, shortly after they were all home, they received an email thanking them for leaving the house so promptly, clean and tidy. I thought I read somewhere about "profiteering" from Covid-19 being illegal, surely the landlord can not expect her to continue paying £170 a week for nothing, the students in university accommodation have already been told, next terms' rent will be free of charge whilst college remains closed but this private landlord expects rent to be paid in full and profit from the dance students who have no current college to attend.  Advice would be much appreciated

sliphi

nomorekids said:

My daughter returned home mid march when one of the people living in her house got covid-19 and her dance college shut down the following day. The college has not said whether or not they will return after the easter break. Meanwhile next terms' rent is due. The amount she pays is £170 a week including all bills. Surely the landlord can not expect my daughter and her fellow 14 house mates to pay for now empty rooms? yes she signed a contract and yes we as parents are guarantors but this situation is unpresented, nothing in the contract to say "pay even if college shuts" or "pay even if you are sent home because another resident gets covid-19"  The house is now empty and will remain so whilst the college is shut and the students who normally would live there, stay at home, shortly after they were all home, they received an email thanking them for leaving the house so promptly, clean and tidy. I thought I read somewhere about "profiteering" from Covid-19 being illegal, surely the landlord can not expect her to continue paying £170 a week for nothing, the students in university accommodation have already been told, next terms' rent will be free of charge whilst college remains closed but this private landlord expects rent to be paid in full and profit from the dance students who have no current college to attend.  Advice would be much appreciated

If your daughter wants to end her 12 month contract early, then if she can find an alternative tenant acceptable to the landlord, then I'm sure the landlord would act sympathetically to the request.

Retireby40

You really need to speak to the landlord. Each case will probably work on an individual basis.

You say the landlord shouldn't profit due to the virus. But surely they shouldn't lose the ability to feed their children or pay their bills also. It works both ways.

Why haven't you called the landlord and spoken to them? Or if you have what have they actually said?

Galloglass

Read the [non-statutory] guidance. It is probably a licence so 1.8 applies

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/876500/Consolidated_Landlord_and_Tenant_Guidance_COVID_and_the_PRS_v4.2.pdf

The problem with guidance is that people assume it is the law, but the law has not been re-written. A contract will still apply so you have to read what it says or may not say.

micmal

Similar situation.  Landlord wants full rent of £2000 to cover empty room from March to September.  He will not negotiate any discount even though the gas/electric/broadband are not being used.  Any compassion regarding a rent reduction would be better than nothing.

Jeremy535897

See my post at
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6118195/university-private-halls-covid-19#latest

LilElvis

micmal said:

Similar situation.  Landlord wants full rent of £2000 to cover empty room from March to September.  He will not negotiate any discount even though the gas/electric/broadband are not being used.  Any compassion regarding a rent reduction would be better than nothing.

The broadband will still be under contract and there will be standing charges still payable on utilities. Bills don't drop to zero just because you're not there.