Student House Hell - Need Advice

rudigarude

Studenthousehell wrote: »

My SF loan is approx 5k a year. Works out say 1.6k every semester (4 months ish). Rent comes to 1.2k ish which leaves just about £35 a week. Include transport, food, bills and textbooks which are required (once had to pay £65 for a single book). So why should we be paying so much extra to basically improve and maintain the property when we already provide her with enough money?

2nd year student, doing 8-5 most days at Uni and in exam periods a lot. Hard to factor in a decent working job!

She told us over a group message not to touch the door in any shape or form. She had a go at me personally for putting wd40 on it when it was creaking. When we got locked out she said 'dont keep using the handle or it will break'

I think you should start looking for a new place for your third year. It sounds as though your LL has a bad mix of "I don't care" and "don't touch anything".

You mention "paying so much extra", how does your current accommodation compare to others in your area?

EDIT: I've just re-read your original comment, which wasn't about extra in terms of rent, you mean extra in terms of paying to improve the property.

lookstraightahead

Op why don't you contact the uni and tell them.

Comms do you have any kids at Uni?

lookstraightahead

Out,_Vile_Jelly wrote: »

Skanky shared student houses are part of the experience; we had mushrooms on the carpet, hideous furnishings and a mound of rubble in the back "garden". You're not living there forever so there is an element of sucking up and laughing about it later in life.


However, a safe lock and door are reasonable to pursue with the LL, getting your university housing office involved (at the very least they can take this LL and property off their advertised list for next year). Also, student house shares are marketed with study desks and chairs, so if this was how it was advertised it should be provided.


Remind LL there is no signed inventory, and you have great plans for a massive end of term party....

Skanky is absolutely not part of what you pay for at uni. Students may decide to make the place skanky but skanky at 1.5k per month (often paid for or guaranteed by parents) is not acceptable.

I agree with your safety aspects.

How some of these rotten student landlords sleep at night is beyond me.

As guarantor I make damn sure my daughters (very nice and professional) landlord does what he should.

It's taking advantage as well they know.

Comms69

lookstraightahead wrote: »

Op why don't you contact the uni and tell them.

Comms do you have any kids at Uni?

Not yet. But in anticipation of them moving out they will receive much advice

lookstraightahead

Comms69 wrote: »

Not yet. But in anticipation of them moving out they will receive much advice

If they listen to everything you say ....

I think you neeevto lower your expectations

Hillwalker11

He didn't have to study medicine, no,maybe not but it was what he wanted since he was 5 years old and he worked his socks off to get there.

Also as far as being compensated with a huge salary and long holidays really? Last weekend he worked 4 12 hour consecutive night shifts followed by a 12 hour day because his consultant had a theatre list, so he was operating from 8 o clock Sunday evening until 7 o o'clock Monday evening.
While you were no doubt at home with your family for Christmas he worked 4 days of twilights 7 am to 11pm. He is a neurosurgeon, with 9 years of training to undertake and before you think he earns a vast salary, believe me with the hours he works, per hour it does not equate to vast!
He never has a lunch break and some days doesn't even get a drink.

I really feel for the OP, trying to study at Uni, whatever course you undertake, you should have somewhere decent to live and study, especially for that level of rent.

babyblade41

Hillwalker11 wrote: »

He didn't have to study medicine, no,maybe not but it was what he wanted since he was 5 years old and he worked his socks off to get there.

Also as far as being compensated with a huge salary and long holidays really? Last weekend he worked 4 12 hour consecutive night shifts followed by a 12 hour day because his consultant had a theatre list, so he was operating from 8 o clock Sunday evening until 7 o o'clock Monday evening.
While you were no doubt at home with your family for Christmas he worked 4 days of twilights 7 am to 11pm. He is a neurosurgeon, with 9 years of training to undertake and before you think he earns a vast salary, believe me with the hours he works, per hour it does not equate to vast!
He never has a lunch break and some days doesn't even get a drink.

I really feel for the OP, trying to study at Uni, whatever course you undertake, you should have somewhere decent to live and study, especially for that level of rent.

Try living where I do, that level of rent is pennies ... my daughter had to pay the OP rent on her own *)her rent was 1200 PCM) , but she did manage and with minimal input from me (advice was free) working full time and studying for a degree
I just feel that sometimes good old common sense and initiative is clearly lacking resulting in a generation of "I haven't a clue what to do, it must be someone else problem"

Comms69

Hillwalker11 wrote: »

He didn't have to study medicine, no,maybe not but it was what he wanted since he was 5 years old and he worked his socks off to get there.

Also as far as being compensated with a huge salary and long holidays really? Last weekend he worked 4 12 hour consecutive night shifts followed by a 12 hour day because his consultant had a theatre list, so he was operating from 8 o clock Sunday evening until 7 o o'clock Monday evening.
While you were no doubt at home with your family for Christmas he worked 4 days of twilights 7 am to 11pm. He is a neurosurgeon, with 9 years of training to undertake and before you think he earns a vast salary, believe me with the hours he works, per hour it does not equate to vast!
He never has a lunch break and some days doesn't even get a drink.

I really feel for the OP, trying to study at Uni, whatever course you undertake, you should have somewhere decent to live and study, especially for that level of rent.

Uhm 1: I work for the NHS
2: I worked over Christmas
3: I accept that as my choice...

lookstraightahead

babyblade41 wrote: »

Try living where I do, that level of rent is pennies ... my daughter had to pay the OP rent on her own *)her rent was 1200 PCM) , but she did manage and with minimal input from me (advice was free) working full time and studying for a degree
I just feel that sometimes good old common sense and initiative is clearly lacking resulting in a generation of "I haven't a clue what to do, it must be someone else problem"

She lived in student digs in this country and paid that much? Ok so lots of people pay privately and work full time and do a degree - that's what I did - but that's not student digs that's a place on your own. Or are you saying that she shared with other students and they all paid that much each?

Rosemary7391

Studenthousehell wrote: »

She told us over a group message not to touch the door in any shape or form. She had a go at me personally for putting wd40 on it when it was creaking. When we got locked out she said 'dont keep using the handle or it will break'

Okay that is ridiculous. Doors should have handles that work! And they've basically admitted that they know it doesn't work...



If your student accommodation office doesn't want to help (have you been to them?), there is some advice here:
https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/repairs/what_to_do_if_your_landlord_wont_do_repairs