Would I be right in thinking the accommodations where kids have already paid deposits or need to do so now are private halls and not owned by the uni?
Kids and parents don’t always know the different and unis aren’t as clear as they could be. So most older unis have most or all of their accom which is owned and managed by them. The he contract is with the uni and they won’t usually require a deposit now.
Newer unis and unis still building accommodation often use privately owned halls - things like Unite, Student Roost and others I forget. They fren these are uni approved but not uni owned. The contract is with the private organisation and not the uni. These often let you book now and pay a deposit, reserving a particular room sometimes.
You need to check the terms carefully. Worst case scenario is that if you don’t get in or choose to go elsewhere you’re liable for a year of rent. Mire common is loss of deposit if you don’t get your grades. Some will refund everything if you don’t get grades but not if you meet the offer and choose not to go.
Uni owned accom is often cheaper and has shorter tenancies and won’t want cash before results. But also won’t allocate before results because until then no-one knows who is coming. Most ask for preferences sooner but they are only preferences.
Kids and parents can get hung up about specific accommodations. They can become desperate for en-suite and bowled over by fancy facilities in private halls. They usually haven’t done a budget. Def worth doing that - making sure they are clear what amount they will have to spend from loans and any parental accommodation, and then looking at what will be left after rent from different options. As parents it’s worry setting your own budget first and making sure they know what you’ll be giving. Anything open ended tends to lead to them deciding the all singing, all dancing option is essential.
Id say it’s good too to help them be open minded and flexible about what they get. Often they won’t get first choice. They can be convinced that if they’re not in X hall, they will never meet people like them and will be totally miserable. They can usually have a great time and make friends in any accommodation. It’s the uni experience and living away which is vital, rather than the specific accommodation.
Def don’t let them sign any contracts without showing you them. Hugely costly misunderstandings and errors can happen. Yes, tyey are young adults and must make choices, but contracts and the implications of it all aren’t always understood or thought through. Having a parent to discuss it with helps loads - they can still make the decisions, but be more informed.
Remibds me of my eldest DS choosing houses for his second year: saw some houses included bills and others didn’t. Thought those that didn’t include them were somehow free - no idea that the bulls would be additional extras - although this seemed obvious to me. Then when that was explained couldn’t think of what bills they would gave to pay beyond internet. Again, needed it explained and rough coatings and difference between summer and winter. Not a clue. And this was a v bright boy. Could quickly understand it once we talked it through and able to make sensible choices. But turned out other housemates had been clueless too. It’s a steep learning curve and no-one wants to find they’ve mistakenly signed up for £10k accommodation they don’t want.