Huntingdon Street Studios, Nottingham

What is coronavirus or COVID-19, and what are the symptoms?

COVID-19 is an illness caused by the virus coronavirus. The two main symptoms of the virus are the following. If you have either of these symptoms, government guidance is to self-isolate for seven days. If somebody in the same household as you develops these symptoms, you should self-isolate for fourteen day.

• Fever or high temperature

• A new, continuous cough

Can I cancel my contract?

An important distinction that must be made is that Uni2 Rent do not own the properties that we let out. We are simply a managing agent that works on behalf of a private landlord that actually owns the building. As such, we do not have the ability or authorisation to issue rent reductions or cancellation of rents without confirmation of the landlord.

Please look at the flow chart on the top question to check if you’re eligible to enter a discussion with your landlord about rent.

My university and other accommodation providers have agreed to waive or cancel rents, why are Uni2 Rent not doing the same?

Uni2 Rent and our landlords have seen that many universities and other large accommodation providers are waiving or cancelling final instalments of rent for students that wish to do so. While our landlords would very much like to reduce or waive rent payments, the types of accommodation provider that are able to offer this are completely different commercial entities to that of the everyday landlord who have properties managed by Uni2 Rent.

Universities and large accommodation providers may be able to account and plan for significant losses of rental income, however, for a number of our landlords this is their livelihood and, likewise with everyone else in this pandemic, are encountering their own suffering due to the crisis. As a result, it just isn’t a feasible option for them as much as they would like it to be. Indeed, most landlords are unlikely to qualify for any financial help.

Current government advice is clear in that where rent can afford to be paid, it should continue to be paid. This is the reason that student loans are still being paid. While some universities and other large accommodation providers are able to reduce or waive rents, we cannot authorise this as our properties are all owned by individual landlords that do not have the affordability to do so.

You can consult the flow chart on the top question to check if you’re eligible to enter a discussion with your landlord about rent.