Are students being ripped off by Landlords?

[LucindaCarlisle]

Do there need to be new regulations for Landlords and Student flats and houses?

What regulations did you have in mind? Tenants already have loads of protection from dodgy landlords.

It seems to me that students are being ripped off by Landlords. Universities should do more to protect second year students when they look for accomodation.

I don't really see what the universities should do except offer advice - it's the private sector and landlords can and will charge what they can get away with. I have to say my DS1 had no problems during his two years in private student rented accommodation - has something specific happened to a DC of yours?

Why do you think that this is a problem specifically for students?

Is it more becasue they don't actually realise the rights and regulations that are already there?

Yes. Having to pay for the accomodation for the summer vacation months when they are at home or NOT at University, for one thing.

If that were to be the case Lucinda one of two things would happen. Either LL would not rent to students as they need rent all year around or the rent would have to go up to cover the empty months.

PITA I agree but that's free market economics!

My DC haven't experienced being "ripped off" particularly - at many universities there's an excess of property available and good deals can be done. My major concern is that the buildings are safe and that the obligatory inspections/servicing are done.
I saw one house that had been trashed by students (not my DC!) so have some sympathies with the landlords.

That is annoying, but also annoyingly standard. From the landlord's POV, they won't get another batch of students in till the September, so they need/want the rental income over the summer months. It's just business. The university terms aren't really the landlord's concern.

If I was going to my home town for the summer I used to vacate and find new accomodation for the next year.
A while back, but when I was a student we got a really good price for house shares etc compared to anything I've ever tried to rent since.

Isn't that just the asame as a childminder having to charge during school holidyas ot retain the place if childcare is not needed then.

Sorry Lucinda but that is not ripping anybody off.

DS has just finished Uni in London.

He's had to compete for rental properties along with everyone else and the minimum term has always been 1 yr.

Now he's been asked for Council Tax for the months since term ended!

He's liable until the end of his tenancy agreement; he should say that he is a student, and get the uni to conform when his course ends. If he has been sharing with other students get them to do the same, and there should be no charge as students are 100% exempt.

Otherwise, if it unoccupied and furnished, they could try for a 50% discount until the end of the tenancy.

Ah Scaryteacher he's now finished his degree but his friend has another year to go.

Should be ok as he's now had his deposit back from the landlord and can sort out the remaining council tax with Camden.

I think we were just a bit surprised they were so quick off the mark!