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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

When to look for 2nd year accommodation?

24 replies

LynetteScavo · 29/10/2023 12:17

DD has just started her first year at university, but is already looking at houses for next year. She's frustrated by DH's and my reluctance to engage in discussing this with her yet. DD tends to get hyper focussed on things, so is being a bit relentless about it and already contacted agents about viewing houses. She's not in a particularly expensive or sought after area, so I don't think there's any panic. DH doesn't want to be paying out yet another deposit right now.

Do we need to get on this now before the good student houses for next year are snapped up?

OP posts:

Pinkpinkplonk · 29/10/2023 12:19

Yes, my two dds are signing up already! One going into yr 4 one into yr 2. It’s ridiculous I agree, and it’s certainly changed since my day
I guess it does depend where she is though

ru53 · 29/10/2023 12:23

Yes, people used to camp outside the letting agents this time of year when I was at uni. Most university towns have a shortage of accommodation. Housing crisis.

Original poster

LynetteScavo · 29/10/2023 13:13

Well this shows how much i know! I've just spoken to DH who has spoken to a friend in the letting business in a uni town, and he's done a complete U-turn and is now enthusiastically looking at properties on line!

DD has said one of the landlords of the house she's interested in insists on a video call interview!

OP posts:

MurielThrockmorton · 29/10/2023 13:24

Yes, my DD did it this time last year and she's just sorting out their 3rd year house. It's possible to leave it, I thought it was a bit of a risk last year before she really knew who she was going to be friends with, but it's worked out fine, and the longer they leave it the less choice they have.

PhotoDad · 29/10/2023 13:42

It does vary a lot from place to place!

boys3 · 29/10/2023 15:25

It does seem ridiculously early - the new besties at the end of Freshers could be those you want to have nothing to do with by end of the first year! Extreme example and likely not the case for the majority.

but it is often worth getting on with a lot earlier than you might imagine. And in some places, and probably an increasing number, a real necessity.

worth being aware of the almost certain requirement to be a guarantor; and the different tenancy types with regard to that; whether bills are included or not, and if they are is there a reasonable use clause in the contract.

I have to say I’ve been extremely lucky with the 2nd year and beyond houses that my DCs 2 and 3 have had / are currently in.

Paddleboarder · 29/10/2023 15:31

Yes, she should do it now - all the best ones will go otherwise and in some places there is a shortage.

Oblomov23 · 29/10/2023 15:36

All of our thread couldn't believe how early it all happened last year, year 1 of uni. It seems to get earlier and earlier. Shocking. You aren't even friends yet, but 6 of you have decided to live together next year? Madness.

PhotoDad · 29/10/2023 15:37

It really does depend... she should ask current second years in her city. If my DD had house-hunted this time last year, she would have found nothing listed yet or settled for whatever was there. Everything came up in January/February (and was gone by March).

Luckily her plan to house-share with friends fell through, as (per PP) the friendship group fell apart. But that's another story.

Original poster

LynetteScavo · 29/10/2023 15:51

I'm hoping she can find find a house that lets rooms separately, but a few of them can share together so that no one is left with all the responsibility if others don't pay up. Blimey. Just when I thought we could relax!

OP posts:

fernsandlilies · 29/10/2023 16:19

It might not be the best idea to find a house that lets rooms separately - she will have NO control or choice over who else is let to, and it's not the usual arrangement for student shared houses.

I have guaranteed DD three times and each time there was a clause that said I was only guaranteeing her liabilities, not the other sharers.

LillianGish · 30/10/2023 15:08

Have just put down a deposit for DS (going into fourth year next year). If she knows who she wants to live with - admittedly not always clear at this point in first year - she's right to get on with it. You just pay a deposit at this stage. Total normal procedure.

Cannas · 30/10/2023 15:25

Mine were at uni 6/9 years ago and this was the thing then. Second year house signed up in November.
It's not ideal because they end up sharing with people they don't yet know very well. Also as you say there is a huge deposit paid months ahead. Landlords and EAs are like vultures with naive teenagers.

SandyIrving · 30/10/2023 15:55

Generally, later in Scotland as private tenancies are open ended not fixed term (only purpose built student accommodation is) so until tenant gives notice (28 days) then landlord can't be sure when available. Doesn't stop some landlords asking (or advertising). So usually May- June. Some of DDs friends wait as late as July/August so they avoid playing over summer.

UsingChangeofName · 30/10/2023 16:38

Varies massively, depending on which University / Town or City, but also depending on if she, or any of her group have particular requirements (parking / wanting an en-suite / a large number of them / etc)

lanthanum · 31/10/2023 10:59

I guess it inevitably gets earlier and earlier, if everyone hears from the year above that they had to be signed up by week 6, they aim for week 5, and so on. A reset would presumably require all the landlords to agree that they won't start taking viewings/bookings until after a certain date. Given that demand seems to outstrip supply at the moment, it would do them no harm to do that. However I suspect it would only be possible to coordinate where the university is quite involved with the landlords.

CormorantStrikesBack · 31/10/2023 11:00

Yes. At my uni it’s accommodation fair today.

Seeline · 31/10/2023 11:59

Which uni is she at?

It isn't always necessary, but for many, if they want somewhere half decent in terms of quality, facilities and location, they do need to get in early. Mine have always been sorted by Christmas.

Prerogative · 31/10/2023 16:44

My kid is in one of those universities where accommodation is expensive and difficult to find. They were one of the last to get their accommodation in the January of the first year. They will be starting their third year next Sept and we have just signed the tenancy today for July 2024. It is insane.

Prerogative · 31/10/2023 16:45

OP I am impressed by your daughter. Good for her for getting on with it!

It is so so stupid that freshers have to choose flatmate groups a few weeks into the course.

bevelino · 31/10/2023 18:55

Two of my dds went to Bristol University and I received an email from the university in November after just 2 months into their first year asking parents to support dcs with their search for accommodation for second year. In other words, be ready to stump up the deposit.

The search for accommodation by first year students (for second year), starts within a few weeks at some universities.

Original poster

LynetteScavo · 01/11/2023 18:45

Well, DD has had a video call with a company who own quite a few student properties and has rounded up 6 people on her course to share a house (it's a 7 bedroom house- well, I'd say it's a four bedroom house, but the two reception rooms are being used as bedrooms and the loft room is split in two) but it also has 7 en-suite bathrooms which DD likes.

Considering DD only turned 18 a couple of months ago I'm quite impressed at how organised she's been about this. Last summer I was panicking about how she would cope being away from home!

I'm being snobby about the house being on a busy road, but im not the one living there!

OP posts:

MrsMitford3 · 01/11/2023 18:49

yeah 100% now-good luck!!

Chasingsquirrels · 01/11/2023 18:53

Ds sorted his 2nd year (2022) in the 1st year Easter holidays - private student halls. He hadn't gelled with anyone to share with. Plenty of choice.
And his 3rd year (now) just before Easter in 2nd year - shared 2 bed house. Much less choice.
Exeter

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