Student halls delayed due to water leak

[glamapple]

DD was due to move into a new build student hall provided by Mezzino in Dublin but has just been informed she cant move in until the end of October due to a water leak. She has signed a licence agreement rather than a tenancy agreement - what are her rights for them to provide her with alternative accommodation ?

@glamapple How challenging and irritating for your DD. Are you based in Ireland or travelling from overseas?

I'm not familiar with Irish property law but I imagine DD's rights pretty limited especially as she is not yet in occupation. Some ideas:

1. Have a detailed look at the licence agreement. I'm they have agreed accommodation from a certain date say you will sue them for the costs of alternative accommodation. Have you paid a deposit?
2. Push back and ask Mezzino what they are proposing to do to house students in the meantime.
3. Ask Mezzino if they have insurance to cover alternative accommodation. I was dealing with a flat affected by water damage and the landlord could claim cost of alternative accommodation under their insurance.

She will not be alone - maybe search for or set up a Facebook page for those equally affected. All the very best,

@jujathat’s great advice thanks. She’s already asked #2 but will
also tell her about points 1&2 and ask for that info.

for background - DD is in Dublin right now at a different hall. Mezzino have agreed to her move as she needs a kitchen of her own rather than a shared one due to food allergies which her current flatmates disregard. She has signed a new agreement with a move in date of 13 Sept. They didn’t ask for a new deposit as that had already been paid when she started at her current halls.

Are they at least saying she can stay in her current place till the other is ready?

@glamapple good luck, given this extra info, ie she’s already a licencese I’d have thought they’d have to find her somewhere

Yes @YanTanTetheraPetheraBumfittthey expect her to stay put but she requested the move on health grounds and has already been waiting a month for the original move in date. She has had to take all her cooking equipment into her room and has to wash down the kitchen before she starts which is not great. And she is very anxious there.
@Jujado you think that they will be able to make a case that she can stay at the original accommodation or does the new licence agreement supersede the old one?

many thanks 🙏

Sorry your DD is so anxious where she is. The new licence supersedes the old licence but if the new accommodation isn't ready then as long as they are offering some accommodation it would be difficult to demand the new place.

Could you ask if they have any studio accommodation she can be in temporarily until the new accommodation is ready?

What would be your ideal solution given the water leak means the new place isn't available?

Thanks @juja so ….Once she gets to 13 Sept which is the date on the new licence she signed (1st para states the license to reside takes effect on the first day of the licence period) then the new license will supersede the old one? However I don’t think it will help her materially as they have said she can stay in her shared accommodation. I suggested to her on Friday that she asks the provider if they have any studio accommodation available which she could be in temporarily but I don’t think she’s emailed them
about that yet.
Her main objective is to get out of the shared kitchen situation as that’s what’s causing her most stress so we will continue to stress this to the provider. (They don’t seem very bothered though 🙄)