Student Rental advance payment rules

[Yetanotherstudent]

My student is in rented accommodation in one of the most expensive Scottish university locations for housing. They pay an extortionate amount in a shared house with 3 other people and pay 3 months rent in advance, each quarter.

They may have been able to get cheaper accommodation but it’s a landlords market and apparently asking for 3 months rent is not unusual. My student works long hours in order to pay his rent. We cannot afford to give him much but give as much as we can which goes towards living costs.

I’ve been reading about the Rent Reform Act 2025 which applies to England and this outlaws more than a months rent in advance. Checking out the Scottish legislation it appears less robust. Yes, more than a months rent is outlawed BUT exceptions can be made if you are renting to Students. I’m guessing this is why their landlord can get away with it.

It’s really disappointing that the Scottish Law allows this loophole. Anyone else had this situation? Thought I’d post because many of you might have students heading off and are unaware.

Are some of the other flatmates international? My DDs landlord (Edinburgh) used to ask internationals to pay 3 months in advance. However was happy for monthly in advance for my DD (with me guaranteeing). I think he’d been burned by students doing a bunk. Could your student ask?

I don’t think this applies in Scotland

We went guarantors for our DC , we were paying the rent anyway

What doesn’t apply Motheranddaughter? The law is different because it seems in Scotland Landlords ARE allowed to charge 3 or even 6 months in advance. I can fully see why any landlord would prefer that but it will actually be illegal in England now.

We are guarantors for our Student. Doesn’t have any bearing on the advance rent situation? They share with a mix of Scottish and American students who have all had to have guarantors. Many of the overseas students can afford to pay upfront as can some Home students. We have struggled hence our student having to work far too many hours. I just wish the bloody student loan wasn’t fixed so low or Scotland didn’t allow this landlord-friendly loophole.

Rent Reform Act does not apply and Lls can charge 6 months rent up front
We guaranteed the rent and the LL did not take more than 1 month rent upfront although if they had we would have just paid it
Are you paying the recommended amount to bring your DCs loan up to the maximum level
The system is based on the assumption that amount will be paid

I’m glad you are able to afford to pay 6 months upfront MotherandDaughter. Obviously this is not an issue for you. Very happy for you 🙂

Sorry I did not say that
we have not had to do that,if we had to we would
Are you making up their loan ,the system is based on that happening

I didn’t start this thread to discuss the details of what we give our student on top of the amount they receive in SAAS. I wanted to discuss how the Scottish Government allow for the continuation of large advance rent payments when it’s being outlawed in England. I think that’s a shame. I’m sorry if you thought I was wanting to discuss how much everyone else can afford to give their student. I appreciate some parents have more than others and that, therefore, stumping up 6 months rent in advance, is something they could manage.

Take it that’s a no then

You said you hated the low level of loan , but the system depends on parents making this up

🖋

The above post missed out the line I drew…😉

Not too sure why @Motheranddaughter is being intentionally antagonistic. OP is very clear that she knows the new change to English law doesn’t apply in Scotland. OP was also very clear that she gives her DC as much as she can, therefore you casually saying you would simply pay several months of rent upfront isn’t helpful to OP as this simply isn’t an option for her. It did come across as a not so humble brag which is a bit pointless on an anonymous forum.

OP, there’s obviously very little you can do. I would check that your child is receiving the highest amount of loan they are eligible for. Scottish student loans are on the low side due to free tuition and I don’t think the levels have been raised in line with the significant rise in the cost of housing in some university cities eg Edinburgh or St Andrews. Perhaps check to see if there are any bursaries available on the uni funding page (each usually has specific criteria and a significant application). Also, if the LL is receiving rent upfront from the other tenants then perhaps they might be willing to allow your DC only to pay monthly. There is nothing stopping you from explaining the situation and asking. They are of course, as you’ve pointed out yourself, well within their rights to say no.

Thank you AlwaysBusyNothingDone - I believe we’re getting the maximum loan but I might suggest my student asks about the option of paying monthly in advance. The other flatmates don’t seem to have an issue with paying quarterly and they’ve all been good tenants and have a good relationship with their landlady (although they deal in the main with the Letting Agency)

If my student could just pay this final Semester on a monthly basis it would certainly help both our cash flows!

And thanks for understanding the reasoning behind why I made this post 😊

It is worth noting that purpose built student housing will be exempt from the change in England legislation so will still be allowed to ask for 3/6 months’ rent in advance.
This has potential for private lettings to be more desirable to students than purpose built student housing, as will better suit their cash flow, which could lead to further issues with private lettings’ supply and demand.

In your case, could your DC share with other domestic students in the future rather than a mix of overseas students? If all have UK guarantors the LL may be more amenable to monthly rent payments.