Student Tenancy Agreement

Bethany_katherine

I am a student and was luckily able to travel to my hometown before lockdown so I could be with my family. I have a student tenancy agreement on my flat which is due to end on the 30th June. My concern is, if the lockdown isn't lifted before the 30th June, I will not be able to go and collect all of my belongings from my flat and essentially move out. What are my legal rights in regards to this? Will I be able to extend my tenancy or have it on hold for longer than the agreed end date so I have the opportunity to move all my belongings out once it is safe to do so (depending on when the lockdown is lifted).

I assume they have a tenant lined up for the next academic year and if the conditions are the same as my contract then the next tenant will not be able to occupy the flat until the 1st September but they will be paying half rent from the 1st July. So the flat is unoccupied until the 1st September anyway but the tenancy contract will be in someone else's name.

7Phil

The closest advice under official rules that apply to you is the following:

Advice to the public

What does this mean for my property move which is scheduled whilst the stay-at-home measures to fight coronavirus (COIVD-19) apply?

• Home buyers and renters should, where possible, delay moving to a new house while measures are in place to fight coronavirus (COVID-19).
• Our advice is that if you have already exchanged contracts and the property is currently occupied then all parties should work together to agree a delay or another way to resolve this matter.
• If moving is unavoidable for contractual reasons and the parties are unable to reach an agreement to delay, people must follow advice on staying away from others to minimise the spread of the virus.
• In line with government’s advice, anyone with symptoms, self-isolating or shielding from the virus, should follow medical advice which will mean not moving house for the time being, if at all possible. All parties should prioritise agreeing amicable arrangements to change move dates for individuals in this group, or where someone in a chain is in this group.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/government-advice-on-home-moving-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak#advice-to-the-public

You may need to negotiate with the landlord about delaying your can move out if we go on for that long. Hopefully they will accommodate you but you may remain liable for rent for the additional time. It will depend on what they decide. Is it a private landlord?
There is a big push by student tenants for more rules and protections to be put in place for them. It's quite possible you'll have better information before the end of your tenancy. Keep in touch with student groups in the community for any changes and news.

If in June you can't extend and you cannot move out in time (eg: if you are suffering COVID-19 symptoms at the time) then you might be forced to have someone collect your things on your behalf - or have to book a removals firm.
Let's hope it won't be like that though as this is extreme worst case.