There are a number of reasons why you may need to change your plans with regards to your time at university. For some people this may be as a result of an illness to them or their family member, others may simply realize that university isn’t for them, and they decide to cancel the course to start again in the future. Now with regards to student accommodation, this is something which you will have already paid up front for, at least for the coming year, which begs the question whether or not you can cancel your student accommodation.
The answer to this one isn’t quite straight forward, so let’s take a look at what the general consensus is around cancelling your student accommodation.
Cancelling 30 Days Prior to Start Date
If you are cancelling your uni accommodation at least 30 days before you begin your time at the accommodation, you will be able to cancel without penalty. With this cut-off period, it is recommended to try your best to determine if this 30 day mark is relevant to you or not to avoid any penalties.
Less Than 30 Days Before Start Date
If something were to happen and it is less than 30 days before you are due to move into your student accommodation, you will most likely face a penalty. Ultimately universities want to fill up their student accommodation and your late cancellation means that they will have to be quick in trying to fill the space. Should you cancel within this time students are usually made to pay a break lease fee of 1 week of rent. On occasion exception circumstances may be accepted, but be sure to check out your individual university’s policy for confirmation.
Cancelling Mid-Term
Should something occur during your time in uni accommodation and you are forced to go home, the amount that you will have to pay will vary by university. By this time you will have already paid up for the full term at the accommodation, and getting any of that money back is going to be difficult. However, there are conditions built into these contracts which include extenuating circumstances, which is where you may be given some grace. For example, if you have to go back home to care for a sick relative then you may not be given money back, but they could guarantee you student accommodation next term or next year, to the value of what you have already paid. Should you leave uni accommodation for a reason which is not considered mitigating, you will lose the money you have spent on the accommodation.
When thinking about student accommodation, it is always worth seriously thinking about any doubts which you may have around going to university or continuing your course. The amount of money put behind student accommodation is not small, which is why it is crucial that you must be 100% sure about what you are doing. Regarding an emergency situation, there are rules in place which cover something that unexpected, so this shouldn’t give you any reason to be concerned.