Renting over the Summer

dab6

Hi, I'm a student currently at University. Over the 2014 Summer (July, August and September) I will need somewhere to stay - either a 1 bed-roomed flat or a studio flat (or it might yet be June, July and August).

Will it be possible to get a flat for 3 months only? I've seen quite a lot of places listed in my are that state a 6 month minimum but would this be negotiable if it's been on for while and there's not much interest (is there much of a chance?).

Also, I see that many of the flats are advertised as "available now". Would they be likely to let me view over Easter and then move in in July?

I have already sent emails to a bunch of local estate agents but got no replies. Any help would be really appreciated

ihatemyhouse

for 3 months, would it not be cheaper and easier to rent a room

SuzieSue

Lots of universities rent out their student accommodation over the summer.

G_M

Very few landlords let property for less than 6months.This is because:
a) there are costs related to tenant change-over that make it uneconomic
b) there is a law that makes it impossible to evict a tenant in the first 6months whatever the length of the agreement

You would do better looking to rent a room in a shared house (ie as a lodger).

I imagine in a university town, many properties are empty, or half-empty, over the summer: student will have 'reserved' or rented accomodation for the coming term in Sept, but may be away on holiday and only too happy to have someone help with the summer rent

dab6

ihatemyhouse wrote: »

for 3 months, would it not be cheaper and easier to rent a room

Money's not an issue. I'd rather have my own place - a small flat ideally.

SuzieSue wrote: »

Lots of universities rent out their student accommodation over the summer.

My University is about 300 miles from my hometown so that not an option but thanks for the suggestion

the_insider

dab6 wrote: »

Money's not an issue. I'd rather have my own place - a small flat ideally.



My University is about 300 miles from my hometown so that not an option but thanks for the suggestion

It wouldn't have to be accommodation at your university, is there a uni in your home town? Where were you living before starting uni? Did you rent somewhere?

dab6

the_insider wrote: »

It wouldn't have to be accommodation at your university, is there a uni in your home town? Where were you living before starting uni? Did you rent somewhere?

No there isn't any uni near my hometown. I was living with my parents before but have decided to move out.

PasturesNew

There are problems trying to rent for 3 months. You've not said where you're looking, or why .... a bit more detail. One issue with renting a flat is getting bills sorted and into your name, then out of your name again - all a pain in the butt. Plus, issues over short term rents, especially those that aren't set at premium prices.

Here's a random idea that might not fit with your plans, but others might read it:

How about looking for a summer job that includes accommodation. Hotels in tourist areas do this. Here's one, for example: http://bedruthan.com/jobs

I KNOW they have a staff house on site.

dab6

PasturesNew wrote: »

There are problems trying to rent for 3 months. You've not said where you're looking, or why .... a bit more detail. One issue with renting a flat is getting bills sorted and into your name, then out of your name again - all a pain in the butt. Plus, issues over short term rents, especially those that aren't set at premium prices.

Here's a random idea that might not fit with your plans, but others might read it:

How about looking for a summer job that includes accommodation. Hotels in tourist areas do this. Here's one, for example:

I KNOW they have a staff house on site.

That wouldn't be an issue if the bills were included though.

Yeah that's a good idea, thanks - I'll look into it.


And after looking at renting a room, the one's with a private kitchenette appeal - don't mind sharing a bathroom.

Thanks for the replies so far people, got some ideas.

Callie22

dab6 wrote: »

Also, I see that many of the flats are advertised as "available now". Would they be likely to let me view over Easter and then move in in July?

It is very unlikely that anything that is available now will still be available in the summer. It is also extremely unlikely that a landlord would hold a flat for months whilst they wait for you to move in - not when they could get a long-term tenant in sooner. To give you an idea of timescales, we are looking to move in early January and many local agencies won't even let us view properties now if we can't move before Christmas. So you really need to start looking about eight weeks before you need to move, not now.

dab6

Callie22 wrote: »

It is very unlikely that anything that is available now will still be available in the summer. It is also extremely unlikely that a landlord would hold a flat for months whilst they wait for you to move in - not when they could get a long-term tenant in sooner. To give you an idea of timescales, we are looking to move in early January and many local agencies won't even let us view properties now if we can't move before Christmas. So you really need to start looking about eight weeks before you need to move, not now.

That's useful to know, cheers. In my uni town, we need to find a place by Jan every year for moving in in September (though the contract starts in June usually) so I'm used to researching early