Accommodation for second years.

akemp847

https://www.accommodationforstudents.com is probably the best one.

mellymeep

GrammarGirl wrote: »

I went to uni in Leeds and found second year accommodation via Unipol - not sure if you have something similar in Colchester? Basically, the unis in Leeds set guidelines and rules for LLs who are part of Unipol, so you know your property will be of a certain standard and will have things like a desk in your room - things that are useful to students but not necessarily to normal renters.

Also, everyone in Leeds goes mental in Dec/Jan sorting out houses for the following Sept. It's crazy! In my second year I didn't sort anything til May and it was fine, still got a great house in a good location. Don't worry too much, just try to be organised and keep an eye out!

Students in Leeds shoud be wary of landlords who say they are covered under UNIPOL standards though, last year I was lumped with a completely useless LL who upon further inspection wasn't actually a member of the UNIPOL scheme, and it took me 5 months and a lot of stress to get my deposit back, even though there was nothing wrong with the flat when we moved out, in fact it was cleaner than when we moved in!

Same happened this year, I was in hospital in Prague after getting appendicitus on holiday (long story) and my housemates signed for a house before I even had the chance to comment on it. So I was lumped with an even worse LL this year than last. I've had it up to here with the scamming idiots, I'm moving in with my fiancee this year who is working, so hopefully we can look at professional lets, and I'm taking my time over it.

In most cities its the same though, there is a surplus of student beds for the number of people looking, landlords try to rush you into signing for somewhere because many people panic that they're going to be left with no where to live. Just take your time looking, I'd view at least 10 places before you even consider signing for anything, there's some good info on the UNIPOL website that is relevant to everyone about what to look for in a house though. Good luck! hope you find somewhere nice x

onetreehillgrrl

Thank you to everyone that has posted.
I have found somewhere to live now. Although it isn't in a house (unfortunately) it is ex-university campus and many students from here are going to live there in the second year.
Hopefully next year I will be a bit calmer and take more time looking, but, I'm afraid I have to admit that I did slightly panic. Two of my potential flatmates after telling me they were happy with the place, waited until I had put down my deposit (and my other friend thankfully) and then told me, that they in fact did not want to live there. So I will be in a five bedroom flat with three people I do not know. I am hoping they are nice! *I haven't had much luck in uni accommodation this year, and am not friends with any of my flatmates*.
Once again, thank you for all your help and kind comments.
xxxx

mortgager@24

Hi there,

I went to University of Essex and during my second and third year as a law student lived in one of the houses let by a local landlord.
If you cannot wait for the release of the accommodation lists from University of Essex you can contact him search for "Student Accommodation" and "fabdiggs.co.uk"

He has two properties one four bedroom and the other a five bedroom. They are both close to the town center and the university. Both are accredited as required and he lives in the area. He also has local workmen who attend to any problems with both the houses.

As he was a student at Essex, he is very helpful and flexible with the tenancy.

Good luck with your searches

tehone

The accommodation office is definitely the best bet (I used to study and then worked at Essex uni - so I know). they are helpful, best advice is to avoid going down the private agency route if you can avoid it.

If you're not looking to live with a group of friends, then we used to have essex uni students lodge with us, so please feel free to send me a pm if the accommodation office turns out to be no use.

StudentInCrisis_2

Don't panic about it Seriously everyone panics about this really too early and the landlords cash in alot of the time.

I'm moving into a 2 bedroom flat with some friends Good luck with ur housing hunt