24 year old son not paying uni rent and I'm the guarantor

AvaloniaF

My son is 24 and in his last year at uni. Our relationship is not great ( long story) and he has not been communicating well with me, or any other family, for months. He will occasionally texts if he needs something urgent but that is all.
This morning I have had an email from his uni accommadation. It was addressed to him and was a final warning regarding paying his rent. His rent should be paid from his student loan which more than covers it. This is the first I have heard of it. It says they have tried to contact him numerous times with no response and if his rent isn't paid by the end of this week ( £2600 this installment) a 3% charge will be added. I am his guarantor but my situation has changed vastly since I signed many months ago. I have now separated from my partner and am a single mum to two younger children. Would 3% charge mean 3% of the whole amount now or per annum? Would arranging a payment plan with the landlord effect my credit rating ? ( preferred option if credit rating and ability to get a mortgage not affected). Or should I ask a family member to lend me the full amount if they can? ( humiliating option). Any advice very welcome.

silvercar

If you are now a single mum, the first thing to do is to get a reassessment of your son’s student grant/ loan. Without your ex’s income into the household it may be that your son is entitled to more.
You need to discuss this with your son. Does he realise the position he has put you in? I’m talking a reasonable conversation not an argument. Many students have lost their part time jobs and are struggling to make ends meet, saying their loan covers their rent is fine if they have other income to pay living costs.

AvaloniaF

Thanks Silvercar 
He had the loan reassessed last Summer for those reasons meaning he can get  the full loan. This more than covered all rent and after 7 months of full time, tax free work over lockdown He had saved a large amount too.
This is the 5th year of uni study duri g which time I have supported him by around 35k by doing overtime shifts. Now it looks like I have to find another 5k for this year, which in my different circumstances was the the deal at all.
He is refusing all contact.
I guess I really needed to know if agreeing a payment plan will have an impact on my credit rating and ability to get a mortgage.

karenburton1305

Gosh - I don't have any advice but just wanted to let you know I'm sorry you're in this situation! Sounds really difficult!

silvercar

 Check whether the guarantee form was executed as a deed, if it wasn’t then it won’t be valid.

MalMonroe

I'm sorry for your situation but I am shocked by the fact that you haven't once mentioned that your son may be ill, or suffering or really miserable or depressed. That's what my first thought would have been. What's happened to make him/her so depressed that they haven't bothered to pay any rent. And the fact that your relationship isn't good must be really upsetting. I'd be devastated if that was my son. 

Any chance you can talk to him? Ask him what's wrong. Especially during lockdown he must be feeling alone and helpless. I'd be especially worried about this "he has not been communicating well with me, or any other family, for months". He needs help, he needs love and  most of all he needs your support. Please start talking to him before it's too late. Then sort the money out. That's not important in the great scheme of things. Your son is. Please don't forget that you actually have three children, even if one of them IS 24.

missile

AvaloniaF said:

My son is 24 and in his last year at uni. Our relationship is not great ( long story) and he has not been communicating well with me, or any other family, for months. He will occasionally texts if he needs something urgent but that is all.
This morning I have had an email from his uni accommadation. It was addressed to him and was a final warning regarding paying his rent. His rent should be paid from his student loan which more than covers it. This is the first I have heard of it. It says they have tried to contact him numerous times with no response and if his rent isn't paid by the end of this week ( £2600 this installment) a 3% charge will be added. I am his guarantor but my situation has changed vastly since I signed many months ago. I have now separated from my partner and am a single mum to two younger children. Would 3% charge mean 3% of the whole amount now or per annum? Would arranging a payment plan with the landlord effect my credit rating ? ( preferred option if credit rating and ability to get a mortgage not affected). Or should I ask a family member to lend me the full amount if they can? ( humiliating option). Any advice very welcome.

I would contact his accommodation provider. Explain your change in circumstances and ask to be removed as guarantor. I would not pay his rent, let them take you to court where you might get a more sympathetic hearing.

sheramber

Is there someone  else , a relative or friend, who could contact him to find out what the position is.
Or is there a student welfare department at the university that could make contact with him.
Someone really needs to make contact with him to find out what is going on.