University accommodation

[Tjwalton99]

Can anyone help please. My son is no longer attending uni at Sheffield Hallam. But he is tied into his accommodation tenancy and they said he needs to find someone to take it over otherwise he has to pay it. Any ideas. I am in Facebook groups but there seems to be loads of kids in the same situation all trying to find someone to take on the tenancy. While the accommodation people continue to sell rooms rather than help fill a room no longer required. I guess it’s just a business but stressful for the kids.

It’s a legal contract like any other.

Was he due to start first year and live in halls, or is this just a room in a standard non university owned student let?

I know that! Not the help I was looking for!

It’s his first year. A place called the elements. Looks like it’s linked to the university

What are you looking for? Point is, it’s a legal contract, willingly signed. Nothing to be done, unfortunately.

Are you guarantor?

Why are you on this group if you don’t want to do anything but point out the obvious. Like I said I know it’s a contract. I work with them every day.

I am looking for ideas how to find another tenant.

See photo

Are they aware he’s a first year. Quite a few unis they don’t make first years pay if they don’t go as they know not everyone gets the grades. He could ring student services at Hallam and ask to speak to someone in the accommodation team for advice. As it’s not a proper uni halls though he may have to pay.

Sorry, just seen it looks like it is a uni halls? Some are uni owned and some are private but linked. ????? Do you know for sure which it is???

Thank you I will try. He is travelling at the minute in Vietnam so trying to sort it for him.

No im not sure. Will have to try and find out

I’ll contact them thank you

There are often FB groups called (for example) "Parents of Sheffield Hallam University Students". Based on the one for my daughter's university, these are currently full of both people wanting accommodation and people offering accommodation.

DD tells me there is also a similar student social media area with students offering/seeking accommodation.

So those would be my first place to suggest?

I just had a look as thought it might be different for halls but yes it does say you need to find a replacement tenant.

Have you/your son been making it clear in the ads that it is halls accommodation? That might be more appealing than third party flats/houses.

Also post lots around a level results as there may be someone from clearing who needs a spot in halls.

But other than that I don’t know what people can advise other than what you’re already doing. He’s signed a contract so if he can’t find someone to take over the tenancy he will have to pay (or his guarantor will if he refuses).

Yes I’ve put a post on the theee Facebook group. I am just trying everywhere I can as I think it is going to be difficult.

You are going to have to offer some sort of incentive for someone to take over the contract, like £200 cash on completion or similar.

Advertise on social media groups and put notices up around the Uni.

Did he pay a deposit? If so and you’re willing to lose it you could speak to the uni if it would be allowed for someone else to take over the tenancy but use your deposit. Then you can advertise it as deposit paid which also might be more appealing. Not sure if that’s allowed though

Very good idea.

Sheffield has quite a lot of accommodation which makes it more challenging. Could you/your son offer to give a rent reduction for first week/ month/ deposit? Might be worth pushing that around clearing time in August which is the most likely time when people are wanting to sort accommodation quickly.

Sorry OP. Didn’t intend to upset you. I got the wrong end of the stick and thought you were asking for advice as to how to get out of the obligation

Hope it works out for you.

I think it’s private. And if you look here they’re doing cash back deals. https://houseofstudent.com/uk/sheffield/the-elements?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22655302269&gclid=CjwKCAjw3_PCBhA2EiwAkH_j4rntXgBaa0wYA4ABPRphYK9s_qMXv7Y3xPTntNMdJlk46PNf7Bu7qBoCknwQAvD_BwE

There are some circumstances where you can be released from the contract

Has he left uni and now working? Can't he just stay there? It might be far from ideal but he still needs to live somewhere and it is likely to be good value. The time will pass quickly and he can then find somewhere else.

Isn’t the year pretty much over now? Or have you signed up for next year?

It’s for 25/26