In 2017 Lilly started an English and Drama degree course at Borchester University. Her mother, Elizabeth, purchased a house close to the university campus for Lilly to live in. The main house comprised two en-suite bedrooms, a living room, and a kitchen. There was also a summerhouse located in the back garden with its own kitchen and shower. Elizabeth told Lilly that she would need to find somebody to share the house. Lilly persuaded her boyfriend, Russ, to move in to the main house with her. They signed identical documents with Elizabeth, although Russ signed his a day later than Lilly because he was at a job interview. Elizabeth thought it was simpler to use licences rather than leases; and the agreements were labelled accordingly. They provided that Lilly and Russ were to pay $300 per week for four years. The agreements also provided that Elizabeth could stay over whenever she wanted