Keele University Accomadation Problems

[Bav3333]

Hi,

I didn't know where to post this but thought it would be best here. I am currently a student studying at Keele University for my degree in nursing.

At this moment I am living in university accomadation for the whole year as my course runs from September to September. I have found a house to rent and will be moving in on the 4th July and everything was good.

Since I had paid my fees in advance I contacted Keele University and asked them to refund the difference as my keys would be in their possession by the end of business on the 4th.

Keele University has turned around and said no as they cannot re-let the room, yet if it was normal accomadation it would not have been relet over the summer anyway, unless for exam resits.

They say that this was in the contract I signed however I have no copy of said contract and I am ontop of things like that due to problems in the past. I have contacted them to request confirmation they have the signed contract in their possession, so far they have not contacted me to confirm if they do. My next step is to live on their door step till they give me the supposed contract just to get rid of me.

I am looking at a loss of £574.72 not including my deposit.

Could it be said that such a term in the contract is unfair as it gives Keele University (The Landlord) an unfair advantage over myself (the tenant) as per Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999.

Especially if say I left in May and lost over a thousand.

Thank you for all and any advice you can give me in advance.

James Baverstock

[MrShed]

They have no obligation IMO - you signed a contract for the full year. Their ACTUAL FINANCIAL LOSS would be the amount of rent over the closure/summer, because precisely as you said, they cannot re-let the property over this period of time. There is no unfair advantage.

Sorry, but I dont agree with you on this at all - you agreed to this contract, and if you break it you are liable for the actual financial loss.

[Bav3333]

Originally Posted by MrShed

They have no obligation IMO - you signed a contract for the full year. Their ACTUAL FINANCIAL LOSS would be the amount of rent over the closure/summer, because precisely as you said, they cannot re-let the property over this period of time. There is no unfair advantage.

Sorry, but I dont agree with you on this at all - you agreed to this contract, and if you break it you are liable for the actual financial loss.

I understand the issues are that I have signed no contract with them, the only contract I signed was to agree by the academic regulations and plagerism.

Further, if it wasn't for the fact that I am a Nursing Student, they would not rent out the room during the summer months as the accadation is putting it politely sub par with what is offered on shorter contracts.

[MrShed]

You made a verbal contract I assume yes? Otherwise how do you have the room?

I dont understand your other point, or think it is relevant.

[SirHumpy]

Speck to your student union - maybe they could help

[Mrs_Ryan]

Definitely speak to the student union here...

Why is it that nursing students get such a raw deal with accomodation??? I was at Nottingham Uni and the only accomodation they could find for us was shocking - and we got kicked out after 3 months so you're lucky!!

Do you have specialist nursing/midwifery reps? We did and they sorted my problems for me... if not, definitely speak to your student union.

Good luck!

[Bav3333]

Just an update, I went into see the accomodation services today, they couldn't produce a true copy of the contract, and have said they will release me from my contract and refund the difference.

Unfortunately, my partner is in the same problem and when she asked for a true copy of her contract they said that it was archived today and can't give her a copy. Any advice would be appriecated.

[MrShed]

Well a result for you I guess....

They have to produce the contract upon request - I would quote Data Protection at them personally.