Any suggestions regarding this conundrum?

Emily_Joy

ArbitraryRandom said:

Emily_Joy said:

I do not know what others here are talking about - the university accommodation usually costs about twice as much as private rental

IME, a shared house might be cheaper than a family room in halls, but not a 2-bed self contained flat. It really depends on the location and how difficult it will be for the OP to secure a private rental in the local market; halls tend to have all bills included and don't generally check job references/do credit checks.

Even if the OP does want to find a private landlord, universities generally have landlord lists and my university also kept a list of people looking to find tenants (if someone was looking for a flatmate or had dropped out mid-year and needed to find someone to take over a tenancy, for example). 

My thought is that, if someone is looking to relocate across the country, university/halls might be a good (simple) way to move while looking for a more permanent accommodation.

If nothing else, they could then present themselves AS a mature student with a student loan, not 'unemployed and on benefits', making them more presentable to potential LLs. 

The universities I am familiar with outside of London charge 1st year students who are under 18th and therefore legally can not share bathrooms with other students about 20% more than we currently pay for a two bedroom house with a garden which is walking distance to the uni. Yes, we pay bills on top of that. 

The same was when I was a student myself. Renting room in a shared house via the university (i.e. university rents a house from the landlord and then sublets to students) cost about 30% more than renting the same room as joint tenants from the landlord directly.

Jonboy_1984

Have you enquired with the housing associations in your target area if they have any private rentals rather than “council houses” subject to the lists?

E.g. https://www.sovereign.org.uk/looking-for-a-home/private-market-rent

Emily_Joy

OP, have you thought about unusual options? Friends were renting a houseboat in Richmond which was affordable while an apartment was not... and I think there is probably less competition, too. 

ArbitraryRandom

Emily_Joy said:

 ...than renting the same room as joint tenants from the landlord directly.

The point being the OP has a small child (so may not be comfortable with a joint tenancy with strangers, especially with not being able to view the property in advance) and may struggle to rent from a landlord directly (with a ccj, a pet, and no guarantor); so comparing with the cheapest option might not be particularly relevant?

lookstraightahead

Op
i would work out your ideal, work backwards and cut everything into manageable chunks over a period of time.

when do you finish your degree and what work options would you have afterwards?

why not spend a couple of days with your son around the location you like so you can get a feel for the place again? This will hopefully make you feel optimistic.

can you work while doing your degree to save some more money? Or maybe do your degree part time? 

Start a journey and map it out. Small steps. 

Emily_Joy

ArbitraryRandom said:

Emily_Joy said:

 ...than renting the same room as joint tenants from the landlord directly.

The point being the OP has a small child (so may not be comfortable with a joint tenancy with strangers, especially with not being able to view the property in advance) and may struggle to rent from a landlord directly (with a ccj, a pet, and no guarantor); so comparing with the cheapest option might not be particularly relevant?

I have relocated several thousand miles away several times. The way we always did it was (1) find short time airbnb rental, say a month, many happy to offer discounts for longer rentals; it is always worth asking with a friendly message "would you consider renting me your place for one month for a cost of 17/18 days"? (2) during that month find something long-term. It is by far a more economical way than a binding contract with the university that will charge an inflated rate with no break cause.

ArbitraryRandom

Emily_Joy said:

ArbitraryRandom said:

Emily_Joy said:

 ...than renting the same room as joint tenants from the landlord directly.

The point being the OP has a small child (so may not be comfortable with a joint tenancy with strangers, especially with not being able to view the property in advance) and may struggle to rent from a landlord directly (with a ccj, a pet, and no guarantor); so comparing with the cheapest option might not be particularly relevant?

I have relocated several thousand miles away several times. The way we always did it was (1) find short time airbnb rental, say a month, many happy to offer discounts for longer rentals; it is always worth asking with a friendly message "would you consider renting me your place for one month for a cost of 17/18 days"? (2) during that month find something long-term. It is by far a more economical way than a binding contract with the university that will charge an inflated rate with no break cause.

Depending on the area and how much 'stuff' the OP would be moving with, that's a good suggestion for the OP to consider (though any option might require renting a storage locker).

Where I went to uni, a month during 'tourist season' (Easter to September) would have been more expensive than moving into halls for the summer (2ish months) and the OP would still be a bit stuck if they can't find a private landlord quickly who will accept them with a ccj, benefits, and no guarantor, so I stand by the suggestion of contacting the university to find out what options they can offer. 

No option is a bad option until it's been explored. 

RedFraggle

I too have an indoor cat and understand the gravity of this suggestion but rehoming your cat may improve the likelihood of finding somewhere. 
My only barrier finding a rental last summer was wanting somewhere to accomodate my cat and it was still extremely difficult. I am high salary, same employer for 15 years, no kids, great reference, wanting unfurnished 12 month AST, targeting properties with hard floors to avoid the carpet issue and the answer to most properties was no to my feline friend. 
Renting is so competitive these days it's difficult to be the chosen tenant. 
Openrent is a good platform as it's direct to landlord so skips the agent bias factor. 

mrmagoo38

RedFraggle said:

I too have an indoor cat and understand the gravity of this suggestion but rehoming your cat may improve the likelihood of finding somewhere. 
My only barrier finding a rental last summer was wanting somewhere to accomodate my cat and it was still extremely difficult. I am high salary, same employer for 15 years, no kids, great reference, wanting unfurnished 12 month AST, targeting properties with hard floors to avoid the carpet issue and the answer to most properties was no to my feline friend. 
Renting is so competitive these days it's difficult to be the chosen tenant. 
Openrent is a good platform as it's direct to landlord so skips the agent bias factor. 

Absolutely not even a slight option.
My son and i got our Cat shortly after my sons mum was deemed as incapable of taking care of our son.
The cat is extremely important to him, as you might imagine. But i do appreciate your sincerity, thought and effort to help.

mrmagoo38

We've since expanded our search to anywhere within England and Wales, but im under no illusion that it will be easy. But hopefully, easier than restricting ourselves to the south.
Thanks to everyone that contributed, youre all such lovely people.