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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

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Original poster

2nd year accommodation, how much is reasonable?

41 replies

Mindgone · 29/01/2015 15:17

DS1 is in his first year at a northern uni. He and some friends have decided to share a house together next year, and have just started looking around at what's available. The one he has seen so far sounds very expensive, considering he won't be there in the holidays.
I was just wondering really, what's normal and expected?

OP posts:

SecretSquirrels · 30/01/2015 14:30

Based on this thread it sounds as though around £85pw plus bills is pretty much the going rate in all areas then. (I would guess another £30/£40 pw each for fuel,council tax, water rates and broadband?)

This compares with £112 pw in DS's halls which includes all utilities and internet.
Of course there will also be travel costs as well. DS will be a half hour bus ride away.
Those of you who have DC who have done this before, how do they set up utilities? Do they have to arrange connection etc or do they continue the previous tenant's arrangemnet? Can you tell I have never rented. The tenancy starts 1st September which is awkward because none of them will actually be at Uni then. Presumably they all have to go down together?

Original poster

Mindgone · 30/01/2015 19:52

Secret, it's those issues that make the inclusive option so much more attractive for DS! And then what if someone doesn't pay on time etc. btw, they were looking at £10 - £15 extra pppw to include all bills.

OP posts:

toldmywrath · 30/01/2015 20:08

My DS2 (student) house shares & they have a clause in their short term tenancy contract that stipulates that the deposit won't be returned at the end of the tenancy agreement unless all utility bills are up to date & paid in full.( I was pleased to see this, based on previous experience with DS1 and his uni house share) Luckily all of the housemates at DS2's put an equal amount in at the beginning of the quarter to cover the utilities & they seem to be sensible about it all.
He pays £260pcm, plus bills, 11month contract.Walking distance is about ten mins to the uni.

toldmywrath · 30/01/2015 20:12

By the way-students do not have to pay any council tax at all -they are exempt.
There is probably no point in having a TV licence these days either as they can watch stuff on demand on their laptops.

Roseformeplease · 30/01/2015 20:18

DS has expressed an interest in UCL. Am trying to dissuade him, given London costs. Anyone provide any idea of prices within Zone 1/2 to compare with the Leeds ones on this thread? We are in Scotland so would prefer him to stay in Scotland for no fees but, given he will pay, it is his choice but want him to have all the facts. Thanks

BackforGood · 30/01/2015 21:27

Not sure of the exact Geog of London, but my ds (in a cheaper area) is currently paying £82 per week for his halls, and his girlfriend (in London) is paying £183 per week for hers, and he says hers aren't as nice, and of course it costs a fortune to get around (compared to where he is - he can also walk into lectures, it's not so realistic for her).

that's per week of course, for 40 weeks of the contract, so just accommodation will cost her over £4000 more per year.

Delilahfandango · 31/01/2015 13:31

I really wish we'd considered the cost of accommodation more last year when DD was applying! She appears to be paying a lot more than a lot of DC. She is living in one of most expensive cities outside of London though!

Follyfoot · 31/01/2015 13:44

DD paid £83 a week in her 2nd year and £70 in her 3rd, exclusive of all bills. This was in Newcastle. They weren't offered anything other than a 52 week contract.

toldmywrath · 31/01/2015 15:15

Oh dear Roseforme does your DS realise that UCL means hideously expensive accomodation & really grotty as well? I know of a few that go to UCL & the rates are £170 per week plus bills (& have I mentioned it is really cramped & grotty?)
I'd try to get him to learn in Scotland- you have some great universities there. (Does he have to pay the full £9k pa tuition fees if studying outside of Scotland?)

Secretsquirrels · 31/01/2015 17:07

toldmywrath I didn't know that about council tax, thank you.

catslife · 31/01/2015 17:35

Just to correct the above info. If you are using iplayer to watch live TV i.e. at the same time it is being broadcast then you need a TV licence. You don't need one if you're using a catch-up service.
See link iplayerhelp.external.bbc.co.uk/tv/tvlicence.
But it's one licence per household not per individual.

toldmywrath · 01/02/2015 19:05

No problem Secretsquirrels
Catslife- that is what I meant by on demand, but you put it so much better than me!

Delilahfandango · 02/02/2015 07:03

It's up to the household to inform the council theirs is a student house. If they don't the council may well try and fine them for non payment.

Theas18 · 02/02/2015 11:58

Leeds is cheap apparently. Friend has 1 there and 1 at Durham and Durham is £100+ excl bills!

Nottingham here and thy are looking at 80-90 incl bills. Maybe a bit less for smallest room.

NB DD got ripped off re room size, if you have the box room and others have nice doubles etc make sure the rent reflects that. First house she paid the same as the rest as it was rented as a uni, second the landlord rented each room at an appropriate rate- I think it was only 56+ bills a couple of years ago

SecretSquirrels · 02/02/2015 13:51

Theas18 DS is hoping to get the smallest room cheaper. There are a couple of doubles and the group plan to adjust the cost accordingly. He reckons he has lived in a broom cupboard quite happily in halls!

Theas18 · 02/02/2015 17:22

Secret I tell the eldest that's why she has the tiny room at home, so she can live within her means at uni LOL

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