[Info] Do Digs students pay half rent during holidays?

Housedevil · 28-11-2012 01:58PM #1

Hi - wondering if any one can help on this one. I have a student staying in Digs accomodation in my house (first time for me otherwise I would have sorted this out in Sept before he moved in).

He pays weekly -although one week he wasn't there and tried to pay just for the few days he was (I sorted that one out quickly).

Anyway basically he wants to go home for study week and commute for his exams the following week. I feel I should fully charge him for these weeks because he is choosing not to be there himself ?? Am I correct in doing this?

Also I have heard of a "holding fee" which is where the student pays 50% of the weekly rate to hold their room during holidays. Is this correct??

I really like the guy and hes very nice so I want to get my facts right before I go heavy on him. We have discussed the above but I didn't push it because I wasn't sure. Obviously he would gladly go home for the next 5 weeks and not pay me anything.

Any advice greatly appreciated - btw I have been onto threshold, UCD and spunout who couldn't really help.

pitythefool · 28-11-2012 02:01PM

Housedevil wrote: »

Hi - wondering if any one can help on this one. I have a student staying in Digs accomodation in my house (first time for me otherwise I would have sorted this out in Sept before he moved in).

He pays weekly -although one week he wasn't there and tried to pay just for the few days he was (I sorted that one out quickly).

Anyway basically he wants to go home for study week and commute for his exams the following week. I feel I should fully charge him for these weeks because he is choosing not to be there himself ?? Am I correct in doing this?

Also I have heard of a "holding fee" which is where the student pays 50% of the weekly rate to hold their room during holidays. Is this correct??

I really like the guy and hes very nice so I want to get my facts right before I go heavy on him. We have discussed the above but I didn't push it because I wasn't sure. Obviously he would gladly go home for the next 5 weeks and not pay me anything.

Any advice greatly appreciated - btw I have been onto threshold, UCD and spunout who couldn't really help.

All weeks within the academic year should be paid for

Victor · 28-11-2012 02:45PM

I've no direct experience of digs - however, it is essentially one step up from a hotel/ B&B, so the rules are those agreed between landlord and lodger.

It would seem rich for him to disappear for 5 weeks and expect his bed to be there in January, as if nothing happened. That said, would there be anyone to fill the space?

Do you know anyone else offering digs locally and what the usual is?

pitythefool · 28-11-2012 02:48PM

We offered digs when i was younger and the full academic year was paid for

The Big Red Button · 29-11-2012 07:36AM

Do you provide meals, or just accommodation?

If you provide meals, I think it would be fair to reduce what you charge him for weeks he's not there. I'd be inclined to only do this on weeks that he's not there for the full week (as opposed to coming and going), and only if he gives you prior notice. If meals are part of the agreement and he doesn't choose to eat there even when he's staying there, that's his own problem, if you're still providing him with the option.

However he should still be paying for keeping the room. I assume that he'll be leaving his belongings there, and you won't have anyone else staying there, and you'll be keeping it available for him for after Christmas?

So, if you're just providing accommodation, I'd continue to charge him full price for the full five weeks. If you usually provide meals as well, and he's not going to be there at all for the five weeks, I'd charge him a reduced rate for those five weeks.

It's entirely up to the two of you to negotiate between yourselves, though.

Skuxx · 29-11-2012 07:45AM

Last time I stayed in digs the landlady didnt charge me for the weeks I wasn't there due to college holidays (Xmas, mid term, Easter etc)
I've no idea if this is the norm but I presumed it was!

The_Conductor · 29-11-2012 07:45AM

I'd be inclined to go with chatterpillar's advice.
If meals are included- reduce the rate, if they're not, don't.

bombadil · 29-11-2012 07:53AM

Hi there

Had a similar experience while at college in Galway. Landlady expected to be paid over holidays despite the fact that I wouldn't be there. We agreed on half pay over holidays as in fairness you would hardly be welcomed in on Christmas Day? Really though it depends on if the house owner is worried about loosing the tennant or not. In areas of high demand such as Dublin negotiation may not be so easy

Terri26 · 02-12-2012 02:10PM

of course you don't get paid for holidays. Digs are for the academic year whereas renting a house etc would have to be paid for the full year. To expect to be paid during official college holidays is not acceptable. However perhaps the week he wants to commute you could argue for. However I assume the student is having money troubles if they are commuting to exams as it is an extra stress that is not needed during a stressful time.

[Info] Do Digs students pay half rent during holidays?

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