It seems like only yesterday that the thought of self-isolating was a dystopian fantasy.
But it looks like coronavirus is here to stay for a while. Universities have closed their doors until September and people are being urged to stay at home to stop the virus from spreading.
Everything seems to have come to a bit of a halt (oh, social life, how we miss you) and there's a lot of confusion right now.
This guide will help you navigate renting, Student Finance and offer some tips if you're struggling financially to cover basic needs. Rest assured – we'll get through this together and come out stronger on the other side. 🙏
Unfortunately, yes you do still have to pay rent. If you're still living in your student accommodation, you're still expected to pay rent as you usually would even if your university is no longer doing face-to-face teaching.
However, some universities agreed to waive the fees of living in halls right now so it's worth getting in touch with your uni to see if this applies to you.
For those of you who have moved back home to go into quarantine, this does not mean that you're allowed to break your contract. You're still legally obliged to pay rent until your contract's end date.
These are unprecedented circumstances thought, and we understand that paying months of rent when you're not even living in your flat adds unnecessary strain at an already stressful time.
We advise you to get in touch with your landlord or accommodation provider to explain your situation and see whether they would be open to ending your tenancy agreement early.