Student Hall's Fee's been Charged an entire term, only stayed 1 week and left due to COVID

sebslee123

Joined the University Of South Wales (USW) in student halls, went up expecting a 'normal'ish' uni life with covid rules considered, however didn't expect it to be that tight on restrictions, and that worrying for my own health, they got tighter a few days before I was due to move up, and continued to worsen during the time I was there, so I was up there for 1 week before I decided it wasn't for me and the whole situation and lack of things to do and also the worry for my health I decided to return home to Exeter and switch universities to Plymouth, and the USW have charged an entire term for £1,400 and have also now emailed me also saying I may have underpaid because them this term up until december is longer requesting another payment of roughly £250, I feel this is entirely wrong to charge someone that amount of money considering the time I was there for, let alone a student during these times, my contract did state this, however also considering the COVID situation, lee-way should've been given to anyone, let alone a student who is now struggling for money after paying £1,400 and now they're wanting more, I feel this is entirely naive and unsympathetic of the times we are in and the life of a student financially, completely ludicrous and disgusting from the University Of South Wales to expect me to pay such a huge amount, of money, asking for who I can get in touch with to help with this matter as I don't want to pay anymore money to USW and feel I should be refunded pro-rata to the time I stayed at the accomodation the £1,400
 

MoneySeeker1

Are the National Union of Students proving at all useful these days? Genuine question....

I think that would be my first port of call personally if treated like this and hope they are still acting like a "union" and, if they aren't, then it puts pressure on them to do so.

My sympathies on this - and hope you can get some resolution - as I know I've been shocked reading about what is happening to students currently.

Thrugelmir

What do the terms of the legally binding contract that you entered into state?  

Galloglass

Thrugelmir said:

What do the terms of the legally binding contract that you entered into state?  

They usually have a get-out clause that allows the contract to be passed onto another party - someone who is desperate to be locked up on campus with 5 others. 

Then there is usually a guarantor clause where the impecunious student who decides not to pay, finds the guarantor parents in the frame.

Perhaps the OP can confirm.

tooldle

The Student Union normally provide a free advice and support service. You might have to seek them out in Plymouth as this is where you are now a member. This is a run of the mill query for such a service. 

Flugelhorn

some unis are allowing people to leave and not be held to contracts for accommodation- though not all unis are doing this.

MoneySeeker1

Flugelhorn said:

some unis are allowing people to leave and not be held to contracts for accommodation- though not all unis are doing this.

Ah-ha. Precedent time here then.

Wonder if it's possible to sue Universities that don't allow for people "getting what they pay for". I'd be checking my contract with a fine toothcomb personally - to see whether they'd put in some "Act of God" type clause and would be out to chase them for a refund anyway - as Lockdown is an "Act of man" and not an "Act of God". Cue for Lockdown never happened during the 4?/5? times this sort of thing has come up in my life time to date - so why now on this one? Worth investigating imo as to whether they could be sued ("class action" is the phrase I'm after).

sebslee123

the terms of my contract just state that the term you leave you have to pay the remainder of that term, however considering COVID they should be making a more considered decision and that I only stayed for 1 week, that the cases were worse in Wales during my time, just seems as thought some lee-way could've been given, and now they're asking for more payment as the term is longer seems ridiculous, 

Thrugelmir

sebslee123 said:

the terms of my contract just state that the term you leave you have to pay the remainder of that term, however considering COVID they should be making a more considered decision and that I only stayed for 1 week, that the cases were worse in Wales during my time, just seems as thought some lee-way could've been given, and now they're asking for more payment as the term is longer seems ridiculous, 

If people could simply walk away from contracts on a personal whim than chaos would ensue.  Outbreaks of Covid could emerge anywhere anytime. That in itself is not justification unfortunately. Given you've switched Universities. 

Voyager2002

I suggest contacting the welfare officer of the students' union in South Wales: that person will know the university official who might have discretion to waive the charge.

tooldle

It is a standard term of the contract to charge a full term. Out of interest which site were you on? Like most Universities these days USW uses a private provider for most of their accommodation.