Renting question - Students

[crub]

My son has found a 6 bed house to rent with 3 friends. The landlord was willing to rent it to the group if they could find a 5th member. The person they had in mind has changed their mind. The group of 4 are willing to cover the rent of 5 people but the landlord is refusing, why would this be?

Have they asked why?

Yes they have asked the agent who said that's what the landlord wants. I think they are trying again tomorrow. They've paid deposits but will lose the property if they don't find another person by 12pm tomorrow.

Maybe he thinks that they won't be able to afford the rent because most students can't afford to pay more rent than they have to.

And also there's less of them to peruse if they don't pay.

That's all I can think it could be.

Possibly the land lord is concerned about sub-letting the other rooms?

The landlord was going to keep the 6th bedroom locked

I suspect he is worried about subletting.