Cinnamon Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 My daughter is in a group of 5 girls who want to house share from the summer onwards,when their current Uni accommodation lease ends. She was in tears last night with the stress of it all Basically,the majority of the work is being left to her,as she is an organised sort of person,so she is booking viewings,dealing with estate agents & so forth. Trouble is that one girl wants a 10 month lease (which doesn't seem to exist) so that she doesn't have to pay rent from July this year when the next Uni year doesn't start until September. There doesn't seem to be a way around this,but this girl will not put her name to anything,& therefore they have lost 3 really good houses,& are now in the situation where 5 bedroomed houses are very rare. Devon (my daughter) & 2 others viewed a great one yesterday,but once again this one girl will not go for the years lease terms Devon is beside herself with worry that they will end up with nothing at all,or living in the back of beyond (getting a house close to town & campus is a priority) I have suggested that they all say to her that maybe she should go it alone,but as a group they won't do this As well as this,they have been royally hacked off by one Estate Agent who wouldn't let them see the tenancy agreement without a non refundable payment of £100 first Anyone else having or had these kind of problems with Uni house renting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pipichick Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 When I was at uni, not too long ago. It didn't even occur to us to look for a student house via an estate agent. The uni had heaps of rentals on a board, with landlords desperate to find students. In the end we found ours (also a 5 bed house) by chatting to final year students on our course and taking over when they moved out. I'm afraid as far as the single student not wanting to pay the 12/12 I would cut her loose, or see if your daughter can find another group to move in with (easier said than done I realise), but why should one get the benefit of securing a house without paying??? That is how most student lets go...it is a full 12/12. Uni life is stressful enough without added burdens. If she is this tricky sorting out a lease, imagine what she would be like to live with Good luck with the house hunt, the perfect one will still be out there Start quizzing those final years x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 If she is this tricky sorting out a lease, imagine what she would be like to live with Couldn't agree more. I'd suggest they cut her loose and hope they find what they are looking for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Poor girl (your daughter, not the awkward girl!) I remember the stress of finding student accommodation! We went through a local landlord, not an agency which is great in some ways (we paid a reserve rent over the summer at a reduced rate) but you are at the mercy of the landlords re repairs and other issues. Luckily we had a decent landlord If the one girl wants to only pay for 10 months then I'm afraid I would have told her sort it out herself ASAP or more likely said the decision lies with the majority and she should go with that or find other arrangements for herself. Wishing your daughter all the best of luck x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted February 11, 2012 Author Share Posted February 11, 2012 It's not so simple,sadly. Cutting her loose was what I would like to happen too,but one of the other girls feels she owes her insome way,& although she is not an easy person,has taken her under her wing. Devon doesn't want to instigate splitting the group,as she was a late comer to it herself. The uni owned houses are balloted out & they didn't get one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatieB Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 It's not so simple,sadly. Cutting her loose was what I would like to happen too,but one of the other girls feels she owes her insome way,& although she is not an easy person,has taken her under her wing.Devon doesn't want to instigate splitting the group,as she was a late comer to it herself. I'm afraid that it probably needs to be that simple and the group needs to toughen up to the reality of life. Whilst they are being nice to Miss Awkward she is being unresaonable and jepordising them finding a property at all. Why would a landlord agree to a lease that it going to leave their property unrented for a few months? If a landlord agrees to take students they would expect the property to be rented for the year. If she is limiting them to find a property with a lease to start from September then she is limiting their choice of properties (if they are lucky enough to find one) Plus surely even if they do find one for September that landlord will want a years lease otherwise he'll run the risk of an empty property next summer. She needs to not be so picky. Its difficult enough to find good student accomodation without this additional limitation. Friends of mine ended up with a property that was a health hazard, forever cold and you could see daylight under the sill of the front room windows! They were ill so often and hideous accomodation leads to a miserable life. I agree with whoever said imagine what she would be like to live with. They need to agree as a group a way forward as the current situation doesnt seen viable. Sorry if this sounds harsh but if they leave it they may find out too late that they have passed up all the good opportunities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 I agree. Stay away from the letting agents. Use Gumtree, Spareroom and all the University sources. And Miss Awkward needs to understand the reality of life. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted February 11, 2012 Author Share Posted February 11, 2012 If she is limiting them to find a property with a lease to start from September then she is limiting their choice of properties (if they are lucky enough to find one) Plus surely even if they do find one for September that landlord will want a years lease otherwise he'll run the risk of an empty property next summer. That is exactly it - a years lease starting in September will mean a couple of months next summer when they could potentially not be living there,but be at home instead 10 month leases do not happen. I know they need to toughen up,but they are all nice girls who want to remain friends. Difficult in the harsh reality of life. I would like to know if the awkward madam has spoken to her parents at all too Devon has not taken the house they liked the best off of the market,so they have the weekend to discuss things. I have said to her that they need to tell this girl that if she is not happy,she needs to make other arrangements...they can find another tenant with no problems at all (plus the agent has said that if they pay the holding deposit & then change their mind & want a smaller house,he won't charge them again should they lease with him again) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 As others have already said my DDs experience of student lets (she is in her Final year now) is that we have always had to pay from July...it's pretty standard. Most have offered a reduced rate provided the property is unoccupied, and I don't believe she's ever had to pay the estate agent in the UK but certainly for her Erasmus year in France we had to pay agents just to get the lists of properties being let out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Ahh poor girl. That's all she needs on top of the stress of her studies. If she'd been at Aber & able to drive - I would have willingly had her here. She'd have got well fed & cared for, in return for a tiddly bit of chook work. It's hard enough being a student, without having to spend your grant etc on accomadation, books, food etc. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaP Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 My DD is also currently trying to find a student house as she will be coming to the end of her first year on campus too. She is at Sussex and there the Uni do actually run their own lettings service which enables landlords to advertise through them and there are no fees charged, although their list is not extensive. She has got together with another girl and two lads and they have set up a couple of viewings through the Uni agency and a couple through a student lets agency, who do charge but not as much as high street agents. I know that some of the students panicked a bit and signed up for a house very early on and in her words "got totally ripped off". I must admit that we had no idea until she started looking, that most leases run from July/Aug, seeing as they don't get their loans until Sept It's a big step for them, quite a responsibility and I hope Devon and her friends can resolve this tricky situation. Lisa P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 I'm assuming Miss Awkward's parents are paying the rent (unless she is lucky enough to have a very well-paid part time job). Perhaps they are pressuring her not to take a 12 month lease? Maybe someone could make sure they know the reality of the situation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 As you know I'm in an 8 bed house right in the middle of town - we signed the contract in (I think!) November of first year for the September of Second year (started contract in June) and re-signed at the end of last year to keep it again for another year You may be lucky and get a 9 month lease if the landlord can rent the property out as a holiday let over Summer but it rarely happens and we have to pay for the 12 months of the year (with a 25% reduction over 3 summer months) and thats the norm, around Aber and my friends at least. Its good 'cos can leave things in the house, move in gradually and pop up for weekends with friends and family over Summer! We're with a Letting Agent and they're great, not had any probs and have been good with us! We've had problems with 2 housemates - trashed + damaged the house with a bunch of mates, police were involved etc - so they're going, and 2 are planning on moving back up to campus so we've found 3 new housemates and a 4th should be signing on Monday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 .... We've had problems with 2 housemates - trashed + damaged the house with a bunch of mates, police were involved etc - so they're going ... Oh dear! Glad you are able to replace them. You're a student ... ... I'm a student ... ... we're the two posting at this insane hour ... you working on a piece of work too?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 Nope, am always up at this time ... wait 2 weeks and I'll be completely nocturnal 'cos working nights Lambing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 In two weeks time I'll be envying you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny Smedley Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 Miss Awkward needs to be told the hard facts of life i.e. pay for 12 months & if she still refuses the others need to look for a 4 bed house! Also, set a time limit on this so it doesn't drag on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny Smedley Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 Just looked at the time clock on the posting- it's an hour out! Gave a fright- thought I'd lost an hour! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 Just looked at the time clock on the posting- it's an hour out! Gave a fright- thought I'd lost an hour! You'll need to change it in the User Control Panel > Board Preferences! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 Just looked at the time clock on the posting- it's an hour out! Gave a fright- thought I'd lost an hour! Don't panic Jenny, I know for a fact I've lost more than the odd hour or three on these forums; so, even after you have tweaked your user control panel I can, with a degree of certainly say this: it isn't the first time and it won't be the last that you lose an hour Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny Smedley Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 Thanks for instructions on how 2 change the time- not very technically minded! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 Not much help Sarah, but as Devon is late to the group, how come she is having to do all the leg work for them? She definitely needs to sit them down and give them a talking too! Trouble is, if they use her like this now, how will they go on in a house? Will she be the one making sure all the bills are paid on time as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisP Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 Make sure she's not the one that is responsible for the bills, especially if there are any difficult housemates there...I'm in this situation and it sucks! As for the housing, I think she needs to be firm with them...it's hard to do at first but theres probably others in the group who think the same as her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janepie33 Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 Yep. Student accommodation.......... STRESS! The difficult girl has to realize that there are no 10 month student lets. She is looking for something that doesn't exist! Where was she living last year? DD is also looking for accommodation for her final year. She has been in the same 6 bed house for her first 2 years and the landlady was so happy with them all as tenants that she allowed 3 of them to store some of their belongings in the house during August for free (the house is an 11 month let). Sadly, the landlady has now asked DD to move out at the end of the summer as she has several groups of 6 looking for a house. She has given DD 1 week to find 5 new house mates! Much easier though for her to slot into a house looking for an extra person than find somewhere for a big group (her really good friends are in their final year so off into the big wide world in June). Good luck to Devon - someone has to take the lead and it will teach her so many skills that will come in handy later on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
