Student accommodation not providing advertised facilities.

ethantibbs

I am a first year student and decided to move into student accommodation. I decided to go private through the accommodation instead of through the university itself. The advertised room I signed the contract for advertised a balcony and free use of the gym, cinema room, common room, and study room. The balcony has been chained off so I have not been able to go onto it. I am paying extra for my room as it had a balcony but consequently the living space is at a reduced size. 

Also, now the second lockdown has come into place the accommodation have taken the decision to close the facilities including the gym, cinema room, and study room. I understand the safety concerns around keeping them open however, the use of these is factored into the total cost of my rent. 

I can’t find any definitive advice on what to do I I don’t feel like I should be paying what I am if the accommodation is not providing the facilities they were so proudly advertising. Does anyone have any help and advice please?
many thanks, 
Ethan.

pinkshoes

If the balcony has been chained off, then you should write to them stating that you have paid for a room with a balcony, so could they either allow you access to the balcony, or reduce your rent in line with a room that does not have a balcony.

The other facilities not being in use are due to government guidelines so hardly their fault either. Suck it up.

Tammykitty

pinkshoes said:

If the balcony has been chained off, then you should write to them stating that you have paid for a room with a balcony, so could they either allow you access to the balcony, or reduce your rent in line with a room that does not have a balcony.

The other facilities not being in use are due to government guidelines so hardly their fault either. Suck it up.

However, if the accommodation had been charged at £500 a month for the room, £50 for the gym - then you could rightly say, that the student is due a reduction.

I would say a reduction to the cost of a room without a balcony and a deduction amounting to the cost of a gym membership in the local area would be reasonable

eddddy

Check your contract / tenancy agreement to see what is says about the gym, cinema room etc being closed.

I'd guess you signed the contract sometime after the first lockdown, and after covid restrictions started, so I'd have thought the accommodation providers would have added terms and conditions that say what happens in these circumstances.

Msjf

Like a lot of students in rented accommodation this year, you may just have to accept that you will not get value for money in respect of extras paid for or expected, but if balcony access was advertised, there may techically be a basis for claiming you were misled. Did you see the room before you signed the contract?

Are you happy with the accommodation otherwise? I suggest phoning the landlord or accommodation agent initially to express your concerns in the reasonable way you did in your post. Find out if anything can be done about balcony access (or about making the balcony safe for use, if that is the problem). 

If not, it may be that there is another,  larger room available for you to move to. If you are assertive/insistent but remain polite, you may find there is goodwill in return. In these uncertain times, the landlord may prefer to keep you onside. You may find other rooms become free if there are none now, so ask to go on a waiting list or phone regularly to chase.

Follow up any telephone agreement or refusal by emailing the person you've spoken to, or anyone else they have recommended you contact (copy in the person you spoke to). If you aren't happy with the response you get, seek advice through your university/college's student support services or student union.

Hannimal

Read your agreement carefully and write to the accommodation. Your university will have an accommodation office that will give you free advice on housing. Do you know others in the accommodation? It might be sensible to group up with them and contact university accommodation office together. 

However, it is very possible that there is something in your contract that means they're within their rights to section off some facilities for the pandemic. You may not have a leg to stand on in terms of complaints but you do have my full sympathy. This time is really hard for everyone and I think students are really getting the short stick. Our government does not care for young adults. I hope you are doing well and keeping safe and that you are looking after your mental wellbeing. Good luck. 

AdrianC

Why is the balcony out of bounds?

Is it a structural or planning issue with the building? Is it a covid precaution?

davidmcn

Tammykitty said:

pinkshoes said:

If the balcony has been chained off, then you should write to them stating that you have paid for a room with a balcony, so could they either allow you access to the balcony, or reduce your rent in line with a room that does not have a balcony.

The other facilities not being in use are due to government guidelines so hardly their fault either. Suck it up.

I would say a reduction to the cost of a room without a balcony and a deduction amounting to the cost of a gym membership in the local area would be reasonable

Apart from the fact that gyms in the local area are probably also shut (or about to be). And even if they weren't, I am guessing the accommodation's "gym" is a fairly basic room with a small selection of equipment, not really comparable to a fully-fledged gym elsewhere.

Hannimal

AdrianC said:

Why is the balcony out of bounds?

Is it a structural or planning issue with the building? Is it a covid precaution?

If it's like accommodations some of my students are in, it is as a COVID precaution. They've closed several communal areas to avoid those not sharing kitchens from mixing. The balconies tend to not be large enough to allow social distancing should several students want to be there at the same time. In this weather I wouldn't've thought that's a huge problem and I don't see why they can't give people time slots for balcony access or something. Probably because they can't afford to monitor it. 

ethantibbs

May I add the balcony is in my room the only reason is that they are saying it’s not been processed through health and safety yet but this keeps being said. There is a balcony walk way to get into my room which is a level higher and is open for everyone but our own balcony is chained off. I signed the contract pre lockdown so none of the terms relating to COVID were mentioned. 

dimbo61

Write or email the accommodation provider 
Don't bother with phone calls as you have No record of what was or was not said.
Ask for a room with a balcony or a reduction in your rent.
Not sure how much your paying for your ensuite bedroom with or without a balcony but NOW might be a good time to join with a few other students and search for a houseshare for next year.
You have a wide choice right now but the longer you wait then all the quality houses will be taken.