We've survived the first half term - go us! (starting uni 2017)

[flyingpigsinclover]

New thread....we've got to the first half term!

DS has signed up for a house with 3 others.. 2 from his Flat and one from his course. Fingers crossed they all still get on next year, but I suppose it’s not the end of the world if they don’t.

Hope you’re all ok simbobs

Just realised that dd1 hasn't told me about the houses she was looking at yesterday.

DD has just got a ticket for her halls "Formal" - 3 course meal and wine for the princely sum of £5

DS received his parcel today and said it made his day. He also said he knew before opening that it would contain Percy Pigs (how predictable have I become?). He signed for his house for next year and parted with a sizeable sum for the deposit but I need to be a guarantor for him apparently.

DD was going to see a house with her pals one day, but the landlord phoned them at the last minute, to say he was having an open house the following day, when they were in lectures, so they didn't even see it.

Just checking in again. So sorry to read your news Simbobs
I did raise the issue of houses for next year with DS but he said it was something they will start thinking about after Christmas so not too much pressure yet. I’d like him to stay in college but we shall see.
On a similar note Ono I sent mine a Jiffy bag packed with Freddos this week Joy unconfined was his response. They try so hard to be grown ups but all it takes to bring them back is an envelope packed with confectionery

simbobs news about your doggy.

DS finishes for Christmas in two weeks.

He has had no assessments yet.

Thinking about accommodation for next year in London terrifies me. DS is shy and waits for other people to organise things for him.

DS finishes for Christmas in two weeks.

Wow, rogue, that's an early finish! What date are they back?

Rogue, our experience (both as a parent and a landlord who occasionally lets to students) is that the London market can operate quite differently. There may be landlords registered by the University who accept tenants six months in advance, but generally landlords will expect you to be willing to move in within a month of two. So you either look in June and plan to get a job in London for the summer, or start looking later, but expect a bit of a scramble as other people will be coming to London to start jobs etc.

That said, we know students who started looking very late but who had no problem.

Also do not expect to find anything for 5 or more. It is not worth London landlords registering as HMOs. And if you are looking on the open market, which is typical, do expect landlords/agents to require six months rent in advance as well as a deposit. You may be able to negotiate UK based guarantors instead, but not if any of the group are from overseas. One approach might be to ask third years if any are vacating good flats, and whether he could be introduced to the landlord. Agents fees are extortionate (11% + VAT for let-only), so landlords will often be happy to save the money by letting directly. DS was lucky and joined an existing flat. The tenancy had been going so long they had a Betamax recorder on the inventory.

Thank you Needmoresleep. Six months rent in advance! My student DD has joined existing flatshares in Glasgow that she got in August and September, but she has the luxury of the family home being within commuting distance of her uni.

Horsemad He didn't have a reading week this term. The third term goes right on into July!

It's funny to think that this time last year he had just done his audition for Glasgow and was preparing for the Guildhall one. Both my DC had unconditional offers by the middle of the December. We were the Smug family. not so smug now they've both taken a vow of poverty, I mean, decided to try to make a living from music I can't imagine the stress of having to wait for A level results in August. The Scottish highers system was quite stressful enough.

I must check in with DD to see what is happening re houses for next year. We haven't been asked to guarantee anything, so either another parent is doing it, it is unnecessary up north or they haven't started looking yet. There has been only one topic of conversation this week - the doggy kind. Thanks to everyone for the sympathy. I think Santa is going to have to bring us a special furry bundle this year - when DD gets home.

Awww, that does sound like it could be lovely simbobs, I hope it works out well for you all x

Just given dd1 £120 deposit for a house for next year.she seems happy about it there are 4 girls sharing.

4 girls sharing sounds fun.

It must be a nice feeling to have it all sorted.

Simbobs a new puppy at Christmas would be a great tonic.

£120 deposit sounds a bargain! My DD is talking like £500 or more and its not London!

Do they share the deposit, or does one student pay for all? They are having to make this decision so far in advance that I don't know how it works if one person decides against the flatshare, or fails and drops out. Not exactly unheard of, is it? We didn't even start looking until after Easter when I was at uni.
Oh, and if all goes to plan we will pick up a new furry friend the day after DD gets home. We must be mad.

Dan is staying home next year and commuting. Phew!!

Just been down to see DS; MIL is staying so we took her down to see him and his room and the campus and all went out for lunch. He had tidied up his room amazingly for Granny - it looked a right old mess when DH and last saw it! Can’t believe the next time we see him will be Christmas . . . . he finishes on 16th December.

New puppy simbobs - will you post a pic when you have him/her please?

Regards deposits, I think they all pay and usually parents are guarantors for their own DC. Students need to take care that they are not liable for shares of bills if others don't pay their way...

Snap Morvah. Took Grandad to see dd. She had tidied up and it was spotless which is not the way I remember her room at home!

We delivered her bike and winter coat. She is very happy which was lovely to see.

LittleHo it’s nice that they wanted to show off their tidy rooms! I didn’t think of taking a winter coat. It was a pretty chilly afternoon and DS took us round the campus in a thin jumper. I nearly said “shouldn’t you get a coat?” but he seems to be surviving without my advice so I kept quiet!

dd initially said 'why would I need a coat?' and went with a very thin jacket. Little did she realise how cold it gets even in the Midlands.

I resisted saying 'I told you so'.

DS said it's getting colder Oop North

Tell them all to stop being such wusses DS sent me this pic taken out of his residence's window over a month ago