Student Rent Enquiries - Covid - 19

Coronavirus – Student Tenancies

We do of course fully understand the concerns regarding the difficulties caused by the Corona virus for university students ;

• Potentially a risk that the Nottingham universities may switch to a fully online course delivery( currently the universities are offering a mixed delivery being both online but also stating  some campus attendance is required).
• A risk of further lock-down periods in the UK-  If or when this occurs we are advised that lock-downs will be localised , and if it occurred in Nottingham, students as residents would be expected to remain living in their rental properties until travel restrictions were lifted by the government.
• A risk that some internationalflights will be suspended from the UK - either because of government restrictions or airlines ceasing their services, again government restrictions are likely to be for a fixed time period, however airlines may not survive this volatile time and could suddenly cease their operation.

U.K. based students are therefore taking up university courses and accommodation on exactly the same terms as before the Corona-virus, life has changed for us all but we must all learn how to adapt to the ' new normal ' .

However international students do have the additional worry that international travel may be subject to disruption. It is this one risk that in particular separates the difference between international students and UK based students, when considering taking up a place at university. Each student and their family will have to decide whether to take this risk or not, and much will depend where they live...China...Europe...etc.

I note the universities do not currently indemnify international students from any financial loss caused by travel difficulties, and so the general advice to landlords is still to offer tenancies on the same terms as before the Corona-virus. 

Legally , Standard Assured Shorthold Tenancies must be used in the UK, which universally bind landlords and tenants to the first 6 months of each tenancy, after the first 6 months has elapsed then a landlord may consider offering the continuation of the same tenancy on a periodic month to month basis.  This could at least reduce the financial risk for international students who would have to pay for the first 6 months of the tenancy fully in advance but then could continue on a month to month basis as required.

It will be a decision for each landlord to make, and commercially there are UK students willing to sign up for 11 and 12 month fixed term tenancies, so most landlords are likely in the current climate to favour those willing to sign longer fixed term tenancy agreements.

In the event of  Lockdown

Each rental property under our management is owned by an individual landlord, and so Landlord Direct cannot give a general policy to cover these unprecedented times.

The current situation is legally that the rent for a student property is due to the landlord until the tenancy terminates.

If a tenant has left their rented property, there are also other considerations :

• If tenants have left their belongings in the rental property these items have to be removed before the end of a tenancy.
• Tenants in many cases will need to finalise utility and wifi contracts that they hold with their chosen service suppliers. Tenants will remain responsible for these utility contracts until the end date of their tenancies. 
• If you have left a property unoccupied you must inform us,we can then arrange for a contractor to switch off the electricity and water at the property so making sure you do not attract unnecessary heating and water charges. Please note however that any  Standing Charges are still the responsibility of the tenant until the tenancy has legally ended.

Landlord Direct will continue to monitor government advice

PLEASE CONTACT OUR FINANCE MANAGER ELAINE BURGIN  IF YOUR GUARANTOR HAS LOST THEIR EMPLOYMENT elaine@landlorddirect.com