Urgent advice - issue with Glasgow student accommodation

[Ardmac1]

Hi everyone. Looking for some urgent advice from anyone familiar with Scottish law. We’ve arrived in Glasgow to help our daughter move into her private student accommodation today. Booked a private studio apartment with a well-known student accommodation provider. En route yesterday when an email arrived from them saying that “there is still no power throughout the entirety of the property” and that they’re moving everyone arriving today into temporary accommodation in shared flats.
This is the FIRST indication from them that there is any issue with the accommodation - we arrived a week early to give her time to settle into the city.
We signed the contract on 3 August. On further investigation we’ve found reviews from students outlining a complete power & water failure on 10 August, with all students moved out to emergency accommodation by 13 August (& very poor communication reported from the provider). So this issue arose nearly a month ago. As recently as Wednesday our daughter was getting reminder notices that she had to pay her deposit before arriving today (no hint of any issues). So they accepted payment without informing her that the property is uninhabitable.
As her guarantor I was asked to agree that there is no right to cancel once tenancy has commenced (due to commence today) and that the Consumer Contract Regulations 2013 do not apply. While I understand that unavoidable circumstances can arise, we’re very unhappy with the complete absence of communication until less than 24 hours before the move in time.
I’m not sure we have any options (checking other available accommodation options today) but would really appreciate some advice - do we have any options to pull out, having signed a contract with them for the year?

I deal with tenancy agreements for work but not in Scotland.
However, I would say the answer to your question will probably be in the Tenancy Agreement

I'm not able to give specific Scottish law advice, but it looks very much as though they were trying to resolve and only communicated when they realised it wouldn't be. In these situations I am not aware of any special terms applying to student accommodation, but they are providing alternative accommodation and maybe get an assurance they will assist with transport costs when the original accommodation is repaired? Or try to end the tenancy now.

I always think that these kinds of issues are the same as issues in your own home - you can't always quickly repair things and it may be that there's a bigger issue, e.g. with the electricity supplier. Yes, comms could and arguably should have been better.

Give Shelter Scotland a call- they give free advice. Sorry this is happening.

Thanks so much for responses. I agree - it seems as though they have been trying to resolve. They’re advising that it could be up to 6 weeks before it’s sorted and they’ll be moved on a staggered basis. I think our best option is to ensure she’s not charged the studio price while in shared accommodation as this has been reported as an issue by other students. Good point re transport assistance.

What student accommodation is it?

Private accommodation providers are usually signed up to the ANUK Code of Conduct

A large part of going away to uni is the people you meet and the friendships you form - this could be an opportunity for your daughter in lots of ways although it might not seem so now.

It’s Merchant Studios, Student Roost. There are valid reasons for her to choose studio over shared but I agree re meeting people. We’ll keep an open mind until we see what they’re offering as an alternative. Will check out that code of conduct - thank you.

I'd contact the accommodation office at the university in the first instance for advice. Failing that try Shelter Scotland's phone line or visit a Citizens Advice Bureaux - the Glasgow Central one located in the Mitchell Library is likely to be the most convenient (drop-in appointments from 1.30pm, arrive early and prepare to queue), Or Glasgow North West on Maryhill Road (call ahead to make an appointment). Scottish housing law is different to England's, and the rules for student accommodation is different to the rules for other private rented accommodation.

Looking at the positives they have offered an alternative and living in a shared flat to begin with could give her the chance to make new friends. You may still wish to pursue a discount and support with moving back into the original place when it is ready.

Thanks @GlasgowGal2014. Spoke to them today - they are hoping to have the original accommodation available in a few weeks and at least there’s a stopgap. She’ll survive! Appreciate the responses here - thank you all.

Glad that you are feeling ok about the plan now. Glasgow is a brilliant city and I am sure your DD will have a great time living there.