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Advice needed please
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My son is in his 1st year at university and just before Christmas he and 4 of his friends decided to rent a flat from September of this year. They found one and paid a deposit each as well as signing a contract. He has since had a change of heart (after doing his sums and realising he cant afford it). About a month ago he rang the letting agent to let them know and the person he spoke to said thats ok, just let us know in writing. He sent an email and was sent a reply saying that because he signed the contract he would still have to pay unless he could get someone else to rent instead. He has found an email that they sent along with a form for his guarantor to sign, and because he was having second thoughts he didn't ask me to sign it. The email clearly states in bold print that any signed contracts will be void and he will lose his place in the flat if he does not return a signed guarantor form. My son has emailed them about this and they say that it is just a covering letter and the contract is still valid. Surely they can't change their own rules just to suit themselves. I would also like to know, if the contract is still valid what is the worst that can happen if he doesn't pay?
Unfortunately many letting agencies bend their own rules when it comes to student lettings.
Usually if a tenant wants to pull out, they will have to find someone to replace their name on the contract, or the rest of the group will end up losing the house too. If he doesn't payup, his friends may end up having to cover his share of the rent. Not all agencies do this, but it is somehting to be wary of.
I got fed up of letting agents in my university town and ended up going through a private landlord direct.
I hope you and he get this sorted!
Usually if a tenant wants to pull out, they will have to find someone to replace their name on the contract, or the rest of the group will end up losing the house too. If he doesn't payup, his friends may end up having to cover his share of the rent. Not all agencies do this, but it is somehting to be wary of.
I got fed up of letting agents in my university town and ended up going through a private landlord direct.
I hope you and he get this sorted!
When they signed the contracts they were told that the rent they pay will not change if someone pull out
In that case, it may be that unless he finds some one to fill the room, then they may lose the house. BUT please do not quote me on this as I am not an agent/landlord, but going by what I have seen from friends at uni having problems with agents. Could you ring the agents direct under pretenses of looking at their portfolio, and enquire about their policies that way?
Sorry I am not being of much help.
Sorry I am not being of much help.
They were told that the rent is per person and if someone pulls out they will not be liable for that persons rent. The other four will not lose the flat and have since been back to pay a bond.
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