University renting

[heartsandkisses]

Hi all does anyone have any contacts re renting a flat near Brighton University for my daughter and her boyfriend both nearly 20, both lovely and very responsible and respectful. Thanks in advan

Can they not just look at the on line estate agents like everyone else?

Yes they can, there is no more student accommodation left, and they have been and been down to look at a couple of flats but we live a long way so it’s very difficult to do. My daughter went through clearings so it’s all very last minute.

There will be a Facebook group - I would get her to join it because there will be loads looking for other students to join their flat shares.

Try spareroom.co.uk - they have a mix of rooms/houses and provide a rundown on who is already in a house and what the potential flat mate preferences are.

Check if liberty Point have flats in the area.

The university accommodation office should be organising a “find a flat” day or similar for clearing students. She’s obviously not the only one. It may mean going into the private sector but they should be proactive about getting clearing students together.

Having said that, after the shambles of my DDs interview there a few years ago and then no response from them for months, they don’t inspire me with confidence. She rejected them on ucas at the end of April without ever hearing from them in any shape or form. Personally I’d do a gap year if the accommodation doesn’t work out.

Thank you all. She had a gap year the problem is she is all loved up and they want to share a flat together rather than house share which is why they are looking for a flat. Thank u all for your advice.

Try accommodation for students there are only 8 places listed in Brighton. £119pw is the cheapest but might be suitable.

Is he going to Brighton Uni too?

If not, and he’s working, make sure the rent is inclusive of all bills, otherwise he’ll be liable for council tax as she will be exempt.

The University has a whole accommodation team dedicated to finding new students, including those coming through clearing, somewhere to live. That's the best source of support. The University needs to put this support in place because it's bad financially for them if students have to drop out.

I don't know if this matter is up for discussion with your DD, but take it from someone who's dealt with a lot of students over the years - it is a very bad idea for couples to live together in their first year of University. It's a time of transition, when students are faced with new challenges and grow and change, that unsurprisingly leads to relationship break-ups (however loved up they seem now). If they live together and this happens it will cause serious problems for them.

More than that, part of the experience of University is living with new people. That's how students make friends (I know I did, and so did many of my colleagues and other friends). Friends are what help students get through the first year of University, which can be a difficult adjustment. If your DD and her boyfriend were to live apart in different houseshares, they could still spend time together and be inseparable, but they'd at least have other people around them to meet, make friends with and - if the worst happened and they did split up - act as a source of support.

My DD went to the same university as her boyfriend at the time but they lived in separate halls and never shared a house. Both made new friends and didn’t see their relationship as exclusive. Just as well as they broke up after 3rd year abroad (when they were in different countries) so in 4th year they avoided each other! Easier if you are not glowering at each other over the cornflakes every morning. Try and get your DD to have different accommodation from her boyfriend. Very good advice given by thejeangenie.

Thank you all for the advice . A Long story ( and very complicated ) but the very short version is they have already lived together for over s year so will continue to live together. He is in his second year and in moving as does not like his uni and she has had a gap year. So they need to find a flat they are looking but tricky as they have to travel down to look, thanks you all again.

When my DD moved 200 miles north for a fresh start, she looked at spare room websites and lined up several viewings over two days, staying in a cheap hotel overnight. Could they do this, especially if they’re not working?

I agree with pp who say it will be tricky if they break up. And they may have already been living together, but not in her first year at uni, which would normally offer fantastic opportunities to make new friends and find new interests. Will he be happy when she’s off at freshers’ events without him, or is she going to miss out on those?

Will he be at the Uni too?

I know but as I said it’s complicated. We have had a very difficult time with her emotionally. Thank you all I just thought I would ask in case anyone knew of anywhere / or had any contacts.