Durham University

[KingscoteStaff]

The continuation thread for those with DC at Durham, or applying to Durham, or alumni, or staff!

January 2022 finds our DC packing their big coats, checking the forecast for snow and wondering when Michaelmas actally is...?

Assemble!
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That’s rotten for her, @Meery, but she’s got time to find somewhere else, as others have said. This year, DS and 3 friends were short of a 2 to make up a flat (college accom) but the numbers were made up by 2 single students looking for somewhere, so your dd won’t be alone in looking round. I know the false friendship aspect adds to the worry though. What is the college halls allocation for 2nd years? It’s usually pretty low, but there are spaces, could she talk to someone about that?
I am trying my best not to worry about where DS will live in his 3rd year. They did leave it too late last year despite me telling him what I was hearing on these Mn threads. I’m reluctant to ask in case it’s a) a laid back attitude again b) full on panic. I don’t want to helicopter parent him this time as he sorted it for himself last year despite my misgivings. Different for parents of current 1st years, of course.

@meery If your DD isn’t already on it, overheard in Durham Facebook group has lots of posts of groups looking for additional persons to share a rental- may be worth a look.

I spent yesterday morning reviewing my DDs rental agreement and more importantly the guarantor agreement. Trying to explain joint and several liability to a bunch of 18 year olds who just want so sign a contract and be done with it, was quite draining! These landlords really have them and parents over a barrel as in the current rental climate it’s pretty much a case of take it or leave it. Anyway, it’s now all signed so at least they can forget about year 2 rental for the time being. Hope everyone’s offspring find what they’re after and the queues aren’t too long on Monday for the second drop.

When dd was 1st year and looking there was a lot of people who "had it sorted" then one or two suddenly went elsewhere and the group then collapsed.

So a lot of changing round went on.
For dd it worked out really well as they ended up in a really nice 3 group. One of them had been in a different group that then split.

Thank you for all your kind comments and suggestions. I have passed the suggestions on. Things look a little brighter this morning as she is potentially joining another group to make up a 4. Will be so relieved if this one sticks!

Things look a little brighter this morning as she is potentially joining another group to make up a 4. Will be so relieved if this one sticks!

That's good. It must have been very hurtful to be excluded from an agreed group. All made more difficult by them not having known each other for long so it's hard to gauge the situation.

I’m glad she’s feeling a bit brighter about it. It must sting a bit, but I’m sure she will find some better friends.

Thats very good news Meery

My son sent me a video of todays queue for accommodation. It's crazy...
He started queuing at 2am and the six bedroom properties are £210-220 a week.

Crazy rental prices at the moment in Durham - exclusive of bills too.

@red4321 is that each and without bills? This doesn’t bode well if so.

Someone from Ds’s flat with a less full timetable was going down today but suspect he also hasn’t had much luck either.

In case anyone is interested the prices are out for Houghall Court private halls, all en-suite and situated opposite the uni sports training place on the A177. Google maps says 15 minute walk to the Teaching and Learning Centre,
24/7 security (keycard access for buildings and flats) 24/7 reception, no rising bills cost as all bills included and £150 group booking incentive (they will club individuals together to qualify and split the bonus) there are a few common rooms, a tv room and a games room. There is also a Circuit laundry room onsite too. To compare to the house rental market

Classic en-suite £170pwk for 44 wk contract or £160 pwk for 51 wk contract
There are higher priced en-suites as well, I think the rooms are slightly larger
Studios start at £195 for 51 weeks

www.unitestudents.com/durham/houghall-court

I do know that people have enquired and they will be releasing flats to those in residence first but I believe there is a waiting list you can go on.

Each and with bills. I think he's found a cheaper option but not in their preferred location.

DS is due to be abroad next year thankfully...

But I see RightMove has many reasonably priced flats and houses, some of which were added today.

DD said people were literally camping overnight at the agents.

I sense all the students mistakenly think that Frampton & Roebuck handle all Durham Student lets, simply because of the agents' prime location opposite Elvet Riverside.

F&R seem like a load of sharks to me. And then if the rents aren't exorbitant enough they'll try and sell you some sort of bill sharing service like Huddle which costs an arm and a leg and they make commission on!

Just seen this a local MP has asked Durham students to get in touch with her if they have experienced or are experiencing any problems regarding finding rented houses.

@ScoobyDoobyDoowhere Interesting but I don't see how she would have much weight on this issue. Pleased to say DS seems to have at least sorted who he will be sharing with. Property...

Thanks for the updates on here - I am beginning to stress about the accommodation madness! It’s crazy they are having to find places ALREADY! DS has a group of people lined up, but had no success yet…. Have passed on info about the private halls.

It is stressful. My son has ended up in Gilesgate which wasn't his preferred location but it seems the better houses went in the first release and he made the wrong decision by waiting until this week.

I'm going up to visit him tomorrow which I'm excited about as I haven't seen him properly since August.

Yes, I think my son has the offer of a house in Giliesgate too (it sounds far from ideal with a v tiny shared living space) and it also sounds very cheap almost too cheap to be true (especially compared to y else out there).

He hasn’t seen it but one of his potential flat mates spent today skipping lectures too look at houses. I am glad he is being sensible money wise but we don’t want him living in an absolutely awful house too far out next year. He hasn’t sent us any pictures or a link but it doesn’t sound good.

That sounds very similar. My son was a bit upset by it tonight. I think a house in a better location came back on the market today but had gone again by the time he got into town. He went around 8 estate agents but there wasn't anything better available.

I'm sure it will be fine. We'd have paid the extra for a better location as it's a way from his lectures but others couldn't afford £200 plus a week which is fair enough.

It looks like there will be a few of our DC's in Gilesgate then. At least they are closer to the big Tescos which will be handy (DD is still quite a walk from it - house number between 50 and 100 - but much closer than if they were on the Viaduct or Elvet.)

@Watsername to be fair in Durham it's always like this with regards to the timing but what's different this year is the costs, gone up massively.

My DS has had similar issues finding a property. The first one fell through in the 11th hour and they were queuing outside the estate agents all night to try and get something else. I think they have secured a place now bits it’s not in the area they wanted….it’s close to Ustinov College so not a complete disaster…probably 15 minutes walk from most places. I haven’t seen the particulars but it was pretty cheap so no doubt quite grotty!

So beautiful here today! And Durham 4ths beat Glasgow 1sts, so that was worth the 5 hours drive in itself!