Advice - Students and 'Professional' lets

Chris1712 · 12 Apr 2010 at 15:54

So, the time has come to find accommodation for my final year of University, and my housemates and I are pretty adamant on finding somewhere actually half decent for next year. By this I mean a letting not previously designated to be a 'student' let.

As some of you may know, being a 'student' let basically means you get shafted on higher rent, get next to no 'service' from your landlord and the house will be in the exact same dodgy condition it was in 30 years ago when the landlord bought it.

Can anyone think of any reasons this would be a problem? We are all currently on industrial placements, so for nearly half the letting we actually will be 'professionals'. Council Tax I assume is our responsibility to sort, and the lettings agency don't need any involvement in that? I certainly don't plan on telling them should we end up getting a professional let but I'd like to know where I stand anyway. I understand that a lot of landlords think that students means your house is going to get trashed, but its so frustrating being lumped in with these nerfherders and having to suffer for it. The income is guaranteed anyway with the loans, so that can't be their concern?

Anyone in the same boat?

Ahleckz · 12 Apr 2010 at 16:05

If you have the money to pay them and the deposit, I really don't think they'll mind.
Most places will credit check you which is the only stumbling block that I can think of.

Letting agents don't need to know about Council Tax provisions, that's all sorted by yourself through the Council.

Edit - You have a pink sig too! Ace!

alex24 · 12 Apr 2010 at 16:09

Council tax won't be a problem - if you're a full time student you're exempt.

I can't see a problem, why not have a look at some places and apply?

Chris1712 · 12 Apr 2010 at 16:13

alexhull24 said:
Council tax won't be a problem - if you're a full time student you're exempt.

I can't see a problem, why not have a look at some places and apply?

In the process of right now. I've had problems before and just wondering what other people have done. Last year was a real struggle to let three fourth year males in one flat, mixed groups only is the common reply. Having lived with mostly girls the previous 3 years, I can tell you 3 guys are much much tidier and respectful of property!

Being a student is such a sham

.

Saetia · 12 Apr 2010 at 16:14

If you're going through an agency make it clear to them that you're responsible, clean, mature etc and they will then pass this onto the person you'd be renting it off, even if they do say no students. They ultimately want someone renting it, the agents want you renting it so they get commision and you get the place. It's in everyones interests.

If you can contact the owner directly even better. The problem is like you said that people will assume students are messy and will trash the place so you just have to convince them you won't.

wozza2k · 13 Apr 2010 at 13:43

I rented privately via a Estate/Letting agent for my 3rd year, you'll all need to get guarantor's to let the agents know that the rent will definitely be paid.

Also a lot of landlords aren't keen on students because most of the time, they only want the place for 10months to 1 year tops, meaning they have to find a new tenant every year, which requires a lot of time and effort.

When viewing places try to dress a little smarter and rather than all be in scruffy jeans and dirty trainers, i don't mean a full suit, but just neater clothing.

Indy500 · 13 Apr 2010 at 13:46

I must be the only one with a good landlord.

Too bad I can't afford the place any longer...

Disco Boy · 13 Apr 2010 at 13:51

UWE students leave it this late to find accommodation? All of the Bristol students that I know (which is a lot, I am one) already have their accommodation sorted for next year, most people did it ages ago!

FoxEye · 13 Apr 2010 at 13:54

Student digs are functional, nothing more. Students tend to trash places, so landlords don't spend $$$ doing them up.

Why worry overly much about the quality of your digs when you'll be gone in 12 months, and you'll be spending a lot of time down the pub/library/uni/workplace anyhow?

Subsisting is all part of the Student Experience (tm)

Indy500 · 13 Apr 2010 at 14:00

FoxEye said:
Student digs are functional, nothing more. Students tend to trash places, so landlords don't spend $$$ doing them up.

Do they just get given money by their parents or something? :rolleyes:

You lose a lot of money on a deposit if you trash the place. I certainly couldn't afford that. There is also the matter of being sued over contract breaches...eh, I guess I'm an old unfunny codger now