Student Let

Badboysforlife

Not sure which thread to put this in. 

My DD is at university and is house sharing with two friends, the other week sadly one of her friends tried to take her own life, this has of course been traumatic for all involved and now the house share has become impossible. 

The university have been very good and re-homed them for the rest of this year, however all three have signed a lease agreement back in October 2024 to cover the period July 25 to June 26.   Which we now need to get out of.   Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

They have also signed in January 25 a lease to cover the period of January 25 to June 25, which I’m thinking maybe as this lease is signed after the October lease this may void the October lease? 

thanks

FlorayG

You may be lucky if the Renter's Rights bill comes into force sooner rather than later - when it does, all AST will become periodic automatically so your students will only be liable for one month's rent.Otherwise it's down to negotiating with the LL who should easily be able to get a replacement in the time available

400ixl

Did they do the accommodation contract through the University, or was the original contract directly with the landlord?

If it was done through the Uni then check with the housing team that they have dealt with both contracts. If the original was done directly with the landlord, then again check with the Uni housing team if they came to any agreement.

If neither of those are true, then you are going to have to speak to the landlord yourselves. Although again, talk to the Uni housing team first. 

theartfullodger

Negotiate with landlord/agent.

However sadly there is no requirement for landlords or agents to be reasonable or considerate.  Letting agents  in England require no qualifications, no training nor criminal records check

blackshirtuk

One of the new things in the renters rights bill (at the moment) for student lets, is that the Landlord will be unable to market the property until 6 months before the current let ends.

Therefore the contract signed in Oct 2024 for July 25 to 2026 could be null and void. The advice came from our letting agent that we may need to re-do any contracts already signed.

However until the Bill actually becomes law no one knows for certain what will happen.

I would be proactively trying to find a replacement for you daughter's room, advertising through the uni/ student forums can be worth it.