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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Demanding early release from University hall fees

25 replies

takeme2urleader · 11/04/2020 11:57

Both my DD and DS are back on from uni and won't return to accommodation. But they are still expected to pay uni hall fees next term. AIBU to expect a full refund on rent because they a) are not receiving a service b) getting online teaching, b) back living at home and c) trapped in Covid19 lockdown. What do you think?

OP posts:
Moominmammacat · 11/04/2020 12:41

Yes, uni still has to pay for upkeep on halls etc. Food rebate yes, everything no. Do you want uni to still be there in September?

AnneLovesGilbert · 11/04/2020 12:43

Some universities are offering accommodation refunds.

LIZS · 11/04/2020 13:01

They will still get a maintenance loan next term. Maybe sfa should reduce the amount to same level as those who live at home permanently if hall fees are waivered.

Original poster
takeme2urleader · 11/04/2020 15:46

AnneLovesGilbert I have heard some Universities are but mine are with private providers and despite repeated emails they are prepared to refund. What can I do?

OP posts:
Original poster
takeme2urleader · 11/04/2020 15:47

*aren't

OP posts:
Original poster
takeme2urleader · 11/04/2020 15:50

LIZS I'd be ok with that. My gripe is the provider has closed down services, so what are we paying for? my kids can't return due to Covid19 lockdown. Seems we got to pay for getting nothing in return.

OP posts:
VanCleefArpels · 11/04/2020 15:53

You can’t do anything because you/student signed a fixed term tenancy agreement. It’s a sunk cost in the sense that you/student has already budgeted for that cost so yes whilst they can’t enjoy the experience of living there they have not “lost” anything as such.

Signed,
Devils Advocate

VanCleefArpels · 11/04/2020 15:55

Also more seriously the provider still has to maintain the buildings and pay their staff even though residency is low (you cannot know if there are still students there - my kids know of several who are still in halls either because they live overseas and can’t get home or because they have vulnerable people at home or, frankly, because living conditions are better in halls than at home )

biscuitsanddiddums · 11/04/2020 15:57

Thankfully dd’s landlord offered not to charge her when the uni shut down and she came home. We’ve lost a shit ton of money everywhere else though, for services that can’t be used. I’m pretty sanguine. As others have said, it was already budgeted for and spent. It grates a bit not to get the money back but these are really fucking bizarre times, so... I get it.

Original poster
takeme2urleader · 11/04/2020 16:27

VanCleefArpels are you in the same position? I mean having to look after DD DS at home whilst still paying for students accommodation? Other private companies, Unite, Liberty have released students. But not Digs.

OP posts:
Original poster
takeme2urleader · 11/04/2020 16:31

biscuitsandduddums I am pleased yours have bee understanding. I agree that other expenses, e.g. travel cards are lost money, but these weren't too dear. Paying Digs £1,450 for halls they can't live in is a bit rich.

OP posts:
VanCleefArpels · 11/04/2020 16:40

Yes I have a student but her Uni have waived fees for summer term. This was generous- I would not have been asking for a refund if they hadn’t. One of her flatmates is an overseas student and will be living there till June. She/we will be paying for her private rental from July - no plans to move in till september but that’s the deal!

biscuitsanddiddums · 11/04/2020 16:44

The losses I am talking about total over 2500 - the rent rebate was 850. The overall point is the same - it’s all awful, but it’s spent. I have to compartmentalise it and put it to one side. If I dwelt on the losses it would be overwhelming- we can only look forwards.

okiedokieme · 11/04/2020 16:46

Both mine are not being charged for the summer term but have to collect their stuff within 7 days of lockdown ending

VanCleefArpels · 11/04/2020 16:49

We managed to clear the room of most stuff - will prob need to sacrifice her pots and pans etc depending on when travel restrictions lift a bit

Original poster
takeme2urleader · 11/04/2020 17:49

okiedokieme that's good to hear. Who is the
accommodation provider if you don't mind me asking.

OP posts:
Fifthtimelucky · 11/04/2020 23:06

My daughter's student house is empty - currently 6 of them live there. Her university is not charging those who live in its own accommodation, but my daughter is in her 2nd year and living in private rented accommodation.

Of course it's frustrating that we are still paying the rent on it (until August if I remember rightly) but it's not the landlord's fault that all the students have decided to go home instead of living in the house that they have rented. Mine is hoping to go down again in the early summer (but of course that might not be allowed)

In the meantime, they are trying to sort out something on utility bills etc because they decided to pay a high tariff for unlimited electricity, water, and gas and now may not be using any for around 5 months.

Original poster
takeme2urleader · 12/04/2020 11:12

Fifthtimelucky I agree Covid19 not the landlord's fault but they can get 3mth mortgage relief and pass on rent reduction. My concern is with big companies like DIGS. They manage £600m of investment property and should be more understanding. As you say our kids would return to accommodation but can't cos of lockdown which is not their fault either.

OP posts:
bettybattenburg · 12/04/2020 11:17

If they are still getting the loan to pay for it then some say they should still be paying. My own child is still paying the rent on her flat for another two months, I just hope the lockdown is finished by then so we can go and get her stuff.

MillicentMartha · 12/04/2020 11:31

Both Manchester and Birmingham universities are not charging for next term if you have moved out. Not sure what happens if you still have belongings in the room, but if those two unis can do it, it might give your case more ammunition?

EmmaC78 · 12/04/2020 13:10

Both Manchester and Birmingham universities are not charging for next term if you have moved out. Not sure what happens if you still have belongings in the room, but if those two unis can do it, it might give your case more ammunition?

A lot of uni's are offering to pack up students belongings and put them in storage if they want.

The OP's children are in private accommodation though so probably not as sympathetic as if there were in university owned accommodation. Most in my local area that are university owned are waiving the accommodation fees.

KayleighHunter · 13/04/2020 15:31

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Xenia · 13/04/2020 20:03

I have paid £3000 for this term. One of my son's friends is living in one of the flats with his girl friend at the moment in lock down so at least one of them is getting some benefit.

If first lock down ends on 5 May (my current optimistic view as I am not sure the nation can afford much longer than that) they they will go back then for the rest of term.

fiftiesmum · 14/04/2020 19:47

It is possible to change the student loan so you don't take the third installment especially if you are lucky enough not to have to pay the hall fees for the summer term.

pinkblanchmange · 14/04/2020 19:51

We have been told that a decision will be made on the 16th for ds' uni, he's in first year halls, so we are still none the wiser.

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