Living Out FAQs - Collingwood College JCR

Living Out FAQs

Here are answers some general problems and questions you might encounter.

When should I start looking for a house, and how should I go about it?

Towards the end of Michaelams term, a professional from the Accommodation Office will come into college and give a talk outlining everything you need to know and do concerning living out. You really don’t want to do anything until this time, (and in fact you are advised not to do anything until after Christmas). This is for a number of reasons:

Most importantly, when the Accommodation Office advisor comes into college, you will only have been in Durham for around 6 weeks, so will therefore only have known people at uni for around 8 weeks. This is hardly anytime at all to judge whether you’re going to get on with other people for at least another year and a half. This is the main reason why the Accommodation Office say to wait until after Christmas, as every year freshers panic and sign early in Michaelmas term, then end up falling out with their future housemates and want out of a legally binding contract (which is unlikely to happen).

Don’t take the risk! Although older students may tell you that good houses go early, the system of advertising houses has changed in Durham in the last couple of years, so houses now are released at different times throughout the year, so waiting a little bit longer does not in any way mean that you’re going to get a rubbish house. Furthermore, be clear that living in the best house in Durham with a group of people you’ve fallen out with is going to be much worse than living in an average house away with people you really get on with. It's the people that make your 2nd Year, not the house.
The talk given by the Accommodation Office will give you information you won’t otherwise know, for example what to look for in a house, how to avoid dodgy landlords, and what legal issues you need to be aware of.
The majority of houses will not be on the accommodation website until around and after the time of the house hunting talk, so you’ll have a much wider selection of house to choose from.

What's the website I should use when I start looking for houses?

Student Pad (http://www.studentpad.co.uk/durham/) is the only website which contains all of the DSU approved houses in Durham.
Where are the different areas of Durham to live in?

View Accommodation Office Guide to Durham in a larger map

http://tinyurl.com/2kq62d

What’s the big deal about getting a house which is DSU Approved; why shouldn’t I just go to a letting agency?

DSU approved houses fulfil all the requirements of the DSU Code of Standards. In short, this means that it fulfils legal requirements, (e.g. making sure houses do not have bedrooms below the minimum room size), that you’re not going to be charged unfairly by your landlord and generally that the house is going to be of better quality than a non DSU approved house.

We’ve decided on a house; what should we do now?

Get your contract checked by the Accommodation Office. It should only take 24 hours and will save you hassle down the line if there’s any problems.

I’ve waited until after Christmas as advised, however I still have no idea who I’m going to live with. What should I do?

First of all don't worry. During Michaelmas term there will be at least two events specifically designed for people in the same position as you, to come together and find housemates for the next year. These will be advertised in good course and I’ll send out an email to let you know the low down.

Will the Accommodation Office give me advice with the letting agencies?

Yes, though note that houses from letting agencies may not be DSU approved.

When you're living out, is it usual to be charged rent during Vacations, even if you're not occupying your room?

Yes. Most contracts run 1st July to 30th June, but some landlords will offer a summer rent concession. Almost all contracts are 52 weeks so you do have to pay during vacations in which you will not be living in the house.