Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Higher education

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

Original poster

Accomodation nightmare

81 replies

Acacia123 · 08/09/2020 23:16

After the disaster that was results day, DD secured a place through clearing. It was the most stressful week I have ever had, and we were so relieved when it seemed to all fall into place.

Went on to the uni website to look at accomodation options, made a shortlist and phoned the accomodation office to book something only to be told there were no halls left.

So we had to go on a Facebook group for other freshers also looking for accomodation, and simply in the basis of a name and picture form a group of 5 and then rent a house through a letting agent. This was the second most stressful week of my life, but were again relieved to pay a holding fee and naively start planning moving day (time off work, car rental, packing etc).

Completed our paperwork, got references in order, signed guarantor forms - due to pay deposit and first months rent tomorrow (nearly £900 in total, massive but no surprise as we knew this from the start).

So in the group chat it has become apparent this evening that one of the girls cant pay tomorrow, she wont have the money till student finance comes through. I am hugely sympathetic as it is a massive amount of money, but she has known the deadline since.the beginning.

So the agent is threatening to put the house back on the market tomorrow and we loose our holding fee. And we have no accomodation.

This just sucks, we have to become hugely financially dependent on 4 other 18 year old girls that we know nothing about, no nothing about their ability or reliability to pay, complete strangers. And of course even though we are only the guarantors for DDs portion of the rent, the rental agreement says that each tenant is jointly and severely responsible for the rent, so in effect we could end up paying if any of the other girls dint meet their rent. We chose the cheapest reasonable house we could find but it is still over £2k per month for all 5 of them. It is terrifying.

It has just been such a massive roller coaster since results day and DD was finally starting to look forward to things again, and is now shattered.

Just want to get DD settled at Uni and for all the uncertainty to be over.

Just praying the other girl manages to get the money together in the meantime. I am not going to sleep tonight.

OP posts:
rawlikesushi · 09/09/2020 07:23

Tell her to open a student bank account and use the overdraft, that's exactly what it's for.

Medievalist · 09/09/2020 07:43

Does she definitely need accommodation? I thought a lot of unis were doing everything online this term? I've been reading about young people encouraged to move to their university town, committing to accommodation, then to be told that everything is going to be on line. So they're paying massive rents when they could have stayed at home. I take it that's not the case for your dd?

Huge sympathy - it's very stressful in normal times. Must be terrible in current circumstances.

Original poster
Acacia123 · 09/09/2020 07:53

Good point about student bank account, I will tell me DD to message the other girl. She wont have ot in time to make payment today though, but I am hoping these are scare tactics by the agent (tactics are working).

I believe her lectures will be online but there will be small group work and meeting time with lecturers....but I see your point.

DD has visited the house, picked out her room and her belongings are all packed and stacked in the hallway ready to go - it is going to be a real blow if she doesn't go on friday. She lives the house and has made friends with the girls over the last few weeks.

Too much uncertainty and stress over the last month, really need this over.

OP posts:
Original poster
Acacia123 · 09/09/2020 07:55

I really wish I could contact the other 4 parents to discuss, but all girls are resisting this idea.

OP posts:
SBTLove · 09/09/2020 07:59

I understand it’s stressful, but why do you want to contact the other parents? This is where you step back, if all goes well your DD is going to be independent from you, she doesn’t need mum jumping in.
My DD arranged everything herself and I just got the address 🤣

FizzyPink · 09/09/2020 08:02

Yes that’s what I had to do when I found myself in an identical situation as my parents were pretty useless (they had plenty of money to pay the deposit for me).

I did it through Lloyd’s and if I remember correctly the overdraft was all set up for me to use the same day. They just changed my normal account to student one with an overdraft.

Original poster
Acacia123 · 09/09/2020 08:08

I would be relieved to be in contact with the other parents because I am now a guarantor (in a crafty, roundabout way) for their daughters....! To the tune of £2k per month.

Fingers crossed for the student bank account then, sounds hopeful.

OP posts:
SBTLove · 09/09/2020 08:11

As a pp mentioned is it really necessary to go away? is the uni far to far to commute?
I’m in Scotland and loads of kids stay at home, I’m always surprised on MN that nearly all English kids leave.

Original poster
Acacia123 · 09/09/2020 08:15

Yes, the university is 3.5 hours by train each way, so she does need accomodation unfortunately.

OP posts:
primabloodydonna · 09/09/2020 08:17

I really wish I could contact the other 4 parents to discuss, but all girls are resisting this idea.

Fgs they are 18 years old!! University is not an extension of school!

user1497207191 · 09/09/2020 08:25

@primabloodydonna

I really wish I could contact the other 4 parents to discuss, but all girls are resisting this idea.

Fgs they are 18 years old!! University is not an extension of school!

Did you miss the bit where the OP is guarantor and could end up liable for other girls' rents if they don't pay? The girls aren't independent as they need parental guarantees.
vacantgob · 09/09/2020 08:34

A word of comfort, agents threaten all sorts of things that they don't carry out. They'll probably hold out a bit longer. I don't know which uni but in many places there's a surfeit of accommodation so they won't throw away this deal just yet.

Good luck to your DD!

Medievalist · 09/09/2020 08:41

Did you miss the bit where the OP is guarantor and could end up liable for other girls' rents if they don't pay? The girls aren't independent as they need parental guarantees.

^^. This

They're not independent at all. And most (sensible) people when asked to be a guarantor, like to know what they're letting themselves in for.

MiniEggs234 · 09/09/2020 08:51

OP a lot of cities have private halls. They are not linked to the university but have a similar set up. They're run by companies such as the Student Housing Company, or IQ Student Accomodation, but they are many more. Might be an option if this does fall through.

Original poster
Acacia123 · 09/09/2020 09:02

Thank you all....yes I am fully aware I need to step back on most things, but not this. DD is my second child at uni (DS is now doing 4th year) and I know this. I also know this is a standard chant / reply from some mumsnet users to any and every university query...they are adults now. Without actually thinking about the repercussions. I just ignore now.

Yes, there are private halls but they are approx £280 per week and this house will be £115 per week so unaffordable for us.

OP posts:
primabloodydonna · 09/09/2020 09:04

I just can't believe there are so many parents who sort out their DC's accommodation for them. No wonder half of them arrive here barely able to cut up an onion or pay a bill.

IKEA888 · 09/09/2020 09:06

Hope you get it all sorted out. .
Hope the other girl manages tinge t the money together.

Gordonsgrin · 09/09/2020 09:18

Oi! Some of you mumsnetters are so cruel. Yes Uni is not school, but do you really believe there is a switch on the back of the head to pressed that suddenly make young people able to sort these things for themselves, especially where most of them are relying on parent’s money.
Surely it is a sliding scale whereby young people move into financial independence? Give your fellow mums (and dads) a break.

ChickenwingChickenwing · 09/09/2020 09:28

@rawlikesushi

Tell her to open a student bank account and use the overdraft, that's exactly what it's for.

This isn't going to happen today. The money is needed ASAP. Also, there is no guarantee an overdraft will be given or be given to the right amount.

Student bank account is a good idea, but it won't be a quick fix.

Original poster
Acacia123 · 09/09/2020 09:34

@primabloodydonna Utter rubbish, did you read my thread. I am guarantor, this is a legal requirement and the basis of my thread. My kids can cook, they have sorted out their utilities and have council tax forms. They are competent, but they need a legal guarantor to rent a house. They cannot rent houses without a guarantor. I am also guarantor for my sons university house. Stop chanting the standard mantra and read the bloody thread.

OP posts:
ChickenwingChickenwing · 09/09/2020 09:37

@primabloodydonna

I just can't believe there are so many parents who sort out their DC's accommodation for them. No wonder half of them arrive here barely able to cut up an onion or pay a bill.

Your DC didn't go to uni, did they?

Original poster
Acacia123 · 09/09/2020 09:41

Just heard that the other girl now has the money and can pay. She asked her dad and he gave it to her. Makes you wonder if she didnt ask him sooner because he was of the same mindset as some of the above mumsnetters who are clearly not of the opinion you should help and support these young people. It was her last resort to ask him, which really tells you something.

OP posts:
madmumofteens · 09/09/2020 09:44

That's a great update hey I'm just trying to sort out my sons accommodation as guarantor it's so stressful feel your pain OP glad it's been sorted 😘

Spam88 · 09/09/2020 09:50

Glad it's all sorted OP!

What a load of twatty responses on here though 🙄 you don't have to just release your kids into the wild at 18, it's perfectly acceptable (expected!) to guide/parent them through the new challenges they experience as adults. Of course most 18 year olds can sort out uni halls themselves, because the whole system is set up for 18 year olds to do themselves. But privately renting with a group of strangers and needing to find £900 that you don't have is a whole different kettle of fish, and I wouldn't expect many 18 year olds to be able to navigate that on their own.

OP, my sister (who is a lot younger than me and just starting a masters) was telling me at the weekend how a load of the new accommodation blocks in our local uni haven't been completed on time so the uni is putting students up in hotels. She was horrified when I said that when I was in halls all the people who didn't have rooms just had to live together in the TV room 😂

Original poster
Acacia123 · 09/09/2020 09:56

Thanks so much, that makes me feel so much better.

I think you've summarised my feelings perfectly.

I am not a newby to renting, DS.has done it for 3 years now, but it is such a rollercoaster and massive commitment.

I feel so bad for kids who dint have decent support and backup.

OP posts: