Accommodation deposits

[neddle]

Does anyone have experience of cancelling uni halls that were booked before the results came out?
Dd paid a deposit for her room on the 4th of August. The t&cs said that if she cancelled within seven days, she get a refund.
She didn’t meet her offer for her first choice, although they’ve offered her the degree with a foundation year. She’s undecided whether to take that as yet.
The t&cs also say that she can cancel up to a week after a level results. It doesn’t mention explicitly whether the deposit is returned or kept.

I’m sure it’s not unusual for prospective students to book accommodation and pay a deposit, then not get accepted and need to cancel. Do they really keep all the deposits?

I would say that, unless someone has an unconditional offer, it is unusual to pay deposits before results, given how many may miss their grades or go via clearing.

When DS went 4yrs ago, his accommodation was confirmed a few days after results and deposit paid within 24hrs.

No advice really bit I agree with Sophie. We booked dd's accomodation several months ago but only on her receiving an unconditional offer. We wouldn't have wanted to book had she only received a conditional.
We've been keeping an eye on her accomodation block and 24hrs prior to results day there was still plenty of space available. 24hrs after and it's almost all booked up. Seems you have to be quick.