Any Uni Student Letting Agents

[GoldilockMom]

DS has returned to Uni this week to discover temp students have been allocated the spare room in his Uni block.

Doors left open, security risk, ‘new’ tenants have used all the pots and pans, which belong to existing students etc bags of rubbish left in the hall ways etc

Group chat confirms another two halls have been used by temps possibly 3/4 people in one room or have broken into other rooms.

What I’d like to know for now, is why is this likely to have happened? Why would students be moved into temp accommodation, allowed to use other peoples possessions all without any warning -

Contract states any new tenants will be emailed to existing tenants - however there is no mention of temporary tenants and no email receive by any of the so far 15 other tenants.

What’s happening here?

What city/Uni?

Is it solely University owned Halls? Or University owned and run other accommodation such as a block of
flat? Joint Uni and private company like some Unis have? Or solely a privately run student halls?

The above makes a massive difference.

Is it just pots and pans that have been used? Nothing in the individual bedrooms?

Large city
Halls are private owned - and let to Uni students - halls available in other major cities. There are no university owned halls.

Rooms have been broken into and messed with - no obvious signs of things taken just moved. Possible beds slept in.

Kitchen equipment - like toastie machines slow cookers - plates cups etc all used and left -

I want to know what reason they could possibly have to allow this to happen short term - like two weeks

Appears they expected the rooms to be clear before the tea occupants retuned.

These are premium halls, modern kitted out, gated, electronic access, CCTV etc

Do they rent the spare/empty rooms out to tourists over the holiday period? The tourists wouldn't have known its students stuff they were using, they probably thought it was provided for their use.

If you Google holiday accommodation in your area something might come up?

It’s advertised as student let’s only. I will ring the HO and see if it’s a company policy - should be non students in student halls?
I know they do it over the summer when no students are there - what about safe guarding?

Why would adults need safeguarding? Are any of them under 18? I sympathise Op but please don't mention safeguarding. It's not really appropriate here.

I would call whoever you rent from and ask them.

I stayed at Edinburgh Uni halls 25 years ago towards the end of the academic year, most of the students had left but there a few remaining in my block when I moved in. I stayed for the summer but I do remember seeing that you could also stay during the festive period. I believe that now, Edinburgh Uni have separate blocks, some for tourists/business people and then there's the student blocks.

Why not safe guarding having a 30 year old couple in your own home, unannounced and using your stuff? Who would be happy going home to that?

Plus having your room gone through and shampoos/food ect missing or used?

Aren't there any warden's?

CCTV in the corridors? I'd be on the phone Monday morning demanding answers....

No of course not, but it's not a safeguarding matter - safeguarding is required for children and vulnerable adults. Not adults that aren't vulnerable. It's bloody annoying I do agree.

Private halls normally have onsite managers. Are these perhaps students from other blocks which were used for residentials or group bookings over the break or are 30 week lets?

How did they access other bedrooms, do they not lock individually? Highlight it as an insurance risk.

If it's private halls, the Uni itself won't get involved 😔

I sympathise OP. You'll need to take it up with the company.

They rented an empty room but other rooms were broken into and stuff used. No idea how long the rooms were used for.

Rental agreement states they should be informed in others are moved in - we assume be this meant long term Uni students not randoms.

Will Uni’s not like to know about student welfare?

Who is the contract with? Some SU housing reps might get involved with disputes.

Not really. The Uni will have every single demographic of students including a few homeless and vulnerable ones.

A private hall company failing to let you know that empty rooms were being let out over the holiday period isn't going to raise an eyebrow, even if they have caused damage or used area they weren't meant to.

Your argument is with the private company and what's in the contract.

So they went to the the student union who sign posted them to a housing section. It turns out the Halls are privately owned but have a contract with the Uni which includes safeguarding.
Allowing males into all female accommodation , leaving doors open as a security risk and fire risk etc is concerning.

They have lots of evidence to prove they have breeched the contract and will take it further.