Uni accommodation- anyone know about tenanc agreements ?

[Iwanttoseethesea]

Hi , my son has found a room in a shared flat ready for starting his course. It's a joint tendency with 7 others.

Here's where I'm getting confused. The property isn't available until the end of August but the letting agent requires rent and deposit in advance (£1200) but wants it now. Is that normal ?

My son has revived nothing more from them than an application form , I've yet to see an actual tenancy agreement.

The other problem is he doesn't find out if he has a place til the 16th and the agent is saying they want the £1200 now and it's non refundable if he doesn't get a place. Are they allowed to do that ?!

I'm hoping someone out there knows more about this than me and can help.

[Star21]

If you don’t get a response on here you might want to google or join the WIWIKAU (What I wish I knew about university) Facebook page. Lots of helpful advice on there.

[Iwanttoseethesea]

Thank you !

[argumentativefeminist]

Fairly normal, yeah! I dont think I got my tenancy agreement until we'd already paid the money. Most first years stay in uni accommodation and that process is slightly different, you don't have to pay anything until you're definitely in.

[loobylou10]

Also, be very careful with joint tenancy agreements - if one of them defaults, you and your son will be liable. (Speaks from bitter experience)

[catherinedevalois]

And be prepared to never being able to speak to someone who can help you, the possibly of being screwed over in 'fees' and hassle getting the return of the deposit. If you mentally write these off, the whole process will be a lot less stressful. Also different rules for student lets and normal lets. I think there should be solicitors available to parents navigating rental agencies for the first time! My dds have been in about 10 different houses as students and all bar one was hassle!! You might have gathered I am in a 'discussion' at the moment. 'Fees' appearing mid-term on the statement - What? Why? How? Arrrrgh!

[Iwanttoseethesea]

Thanks for the replies. It's bloody annoying that the agent wants the money before his place is confirmed.
My son only has one choice, how on earth do people do it when their kids have 2 or 3 choices ?!

[catherinedevalois]

I think most first year students go into halls or purpose built uni accommodation and I don't remember having to pay anything for those until after results day. Private lets are a completely different kettle of fish

[Iwanttoseethesea]

Unfortunately there are no halls or uni accommodation where he's going- it's all letting agents and private landlords. I thought this was going to be easy but now I'm not so sure !

[extinctspecies]

You might get better advice on the Further Education Board.