Hi all, my name is Katie.
I have an offer to study Occupational Therapy in University come September over in England (I currently live in Northern Ireland). My partner also has an offer to study paramedic science in the same place. We spent a long time searching for suitable accommodation as we plan to live together during uni. The university halls do not offer dual occupancy and so we ended up looking into private student accommodation.
After a long time of searching we finally came across affordable accommodation which suited our needs perfectly. Throughout our search for accommodation I was in regular contact with the organisation and verified the price countless times with many different staff members. All stated that the room would be £7395 for the 51 week tenancy agreement and that the only cost for dual occupancy would be a one off £100 payment at the beginning of the year. This includes all bills along with various facilities in the building we can avail of.
I called to once more confirm the price before proceeding to book the room online. Near the end of the application however, the price was displayed and it was much more expensive than had been advertised to me (well over 9 thousand). This came as quite a shock to me and so I called and asked why that was the case and additionally sent an email explaining my confusion. I was reassured that the price was not correct and that it should be £7395 overall not any more. I was then told not to worry and that if I proceeded with my booking that it might rectify itself after I pay the deposit which had apparently happened before and was told that if it did not fix itself they would sort it out.
I did not feel comfortable continuing however without some form of proof that I wouldn't have to pay that much. As a result I was sent written confirmation via email stating that if it did not rectify itself that I would not have to pay that much and that I would only have to pay the £7395 as agreed. Once I received this email I called before making the booking to double check once again that if it did not change that I wouldn't have to pay that much and that someone would definitely sort it out. I was once again reassured that they would deal with it.
After placing my booking, and submitting the application, the price did drop but only by a thousand. The price was still well over 8k and was much higher than it should be. So I called and explained the situation and was told that they would get it sorted ASAP (by the same people I had been in contact with previously - they had even gotten to the point of recognizing me before I even introduced myself by now).
Days went by and I regularly called to check whether it would be sorted because it was still not changing online and as time went on I got more and more concerned and uncomfortable with the situation. Each time I called I was reassured of the price and that it was being fixed. Regardless of my growing discomfort I still continued to get my guarantor forms in for the deadline (yesterday) as the staff had all been so friendly and helpful. I gave them the benefit of the doubt.
On my way home after being with my guarantor to help to submit their forms, I received a call from the main staff member who had been dealing with me.
He apologised and explained that there had been a mistake and that the price on the booking was actually correct and that there were new changes implemented that he and his fellow colleagues had not been aware of. These changes mean that for dual occupancy, there is a 25% increase to the price.
I was told that if I want to I can cancel my booking. But I have now spent so much time focused on their accommodation that it has left me very late to find any alternative accommodation (especially with dual occupancy). I asked if I could have the room at the price arranged previously as every staff member I had talked to had told me that the price was £7395 and also considering the fact that I had even received written confirmation from him to state that I wouldn't have to pay any more than £7395 in total.
He told me that he would talk to his boss and get back to me on Monday. He sounded like he was genuinely sorry and wanted to help me out as he acknowledged that they were at fault.
I am genuinely worried that his boss will decide not to allow me to have the price they previously advertised to me. I am hoping that as per the trade discription act I should be entitled to the original pricing discussed with me.
What are my rights here?? The contract stated the higher price but I was told that this would be ammended (in the email he sent and over the phone) if it wasn't coming to £7395 after I paid the deposit. If I can't get the original price then I don't know what I'll do, I barely slept last night due to worrying about this.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.