Cancelling a Tenancy Agreement (no access to the service provided)

[nickkhu]

Good afternoon,

I really hope someone can help me please ! Here's the thing : I am a french student and I was supposed to study in the UK from January to May. I signed a tenancy agreement for a student accommodation from January to July 2021, which say I have to pay rent for the full period of time. I succeeded to get to my student accommodation for 2 months in January and February. However, I vacated my room because I was literally alone so I got back to France in March. Now, I cannot get back to Newcastle, I cannot access the accommodation at all for the rest of the period since I'm in France and following government policy : 'non-essential travel to the UK will not be possible until after middle of June, so students should not be expecting to come to us at any point for the rest of this academic year.'

Basically, I have to pay 2000 pounds for nothing, without having any access to the service they provide and they threat me to take me to court if I don't pay.

Can you please help me, what do you think of this case ? Do you know any solution ?

Thank you so much.

[ostell]

I would be tempted to ignore it. How is he going to enforce it? BREXIT might have done you a favour.

[nickkhu]

Thank you for your answer ! This is what I am currently doing. However, if they eventually take me to court, I might be charged legal fees as well. What could be the risks ? Many thanks.

[ostell]

Which court would they take you to? Make sure he has your address in France

[islandgirl]

Many UK students are in exactly the same boat (English idiom!) - I have paid thousands for my son's room at uni to sit empty. Private Landlords are not giving any discounts or refunds (some uni accomodation has done so). Therefore you owe the money (just as my son does). If they are not bluffing and do issue court papers then I would take it seriously...they may not bother if you are in France!

[nickkhu]

Thank you so much for you answers, I really appreciate your help.

ostell : They have all my information, including my french address. Maybe international court ? I don't know..

islandgirl : I understand your situation, for me they really stole us... but in my case, I will never ever be able to go to this room anymore until the end of the contract, while British students will be able (normally) to go to their accommodation before the end of the contract... But yes, I will wait longer thank you !

But maybe do you know when should I consider things getting serious and they are not bluffing anymore ? I don't know when I really have to pay without getting involved in court stuff and without paying legal fees, etc.. perhaps a court document ?

[ostell]

The English courts will not accept an address in France, and I believe BREXIT has made UK v European claims more difficult

[nickkhu]

Thank you so much !