Aberdeen University Accommodation

maggiesoop

Just been checking out accommodation for son starting Uni in Sept.

We've looked at University accommodation both on the doorstep (Crombie/Johnston) and Hillhead Campus (huge but think Prisoner Cell Block H !!!) but he's decided Mealmarket Exchange is best through Unite as it's a little more modern (ie cleaner and not so shabby looking) and is only 15 mins walk from city centre & Uni.

However they are quoting their academic year is 43 weeks starting 31st August and this is when we would have to start payments. He doesn't start Uni until the 17th Sept so that means having to spend almost £250 for two weeks rent on an empty room. Can anyone give me any advice or do I just have to accept that's their terms?

littlereddevil

Yeah I think's just the way they work as some students like to get settled in before they start.

stormbreaker

You will find this most years. My son is finishing his second year at Dundee and his present flat was from early July 2010 to June 2011, despite not needing it til Sept. sometime and this was a private rent but student only purpose built blocks.
The flat he has for 3rd year the rent starts August but could have been rented to anyone and is a month notice basis. He could in reality stay there for the remainder of his studies.

maggiesoop

oh well, I guess at over £5000 for the year a couple of hundred quid won't make that much difference, still can't help the owner/landlords must be making a small fortune though when you multiply the hundred of flats by the unoccupied weeks!

stormbreaker

If the LL did not charge they would be out of pocket. You will find that differant courses start and finish at differant times and some students want to remain in their flats for the full year and may keep the same flats on.

If its Halls you only pay for the months they are there but even then the rent for halls 2009-2010 for my son was a few pounds off £500. Staying in an independant flat does work out cheaper!

westcoastscot

Hi,
Unite are really expensive, and they charge for every little thing!!!! They are nice though. Hillhead does look a bit past its best but its a friendly site and the wee shop is great! My daughter preferred it there.

WCS