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Source: (consider it)
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Thread: finding housing near the University of Warwick
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Josephine
Orthodox Belle
# 3899
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Posted
My daughter-in-law will be studying at the University of Warwick starting in September. She and my son are looking for housing, and they don't have any idea where to start. The university simply told them that they didn't have housing available, and they were on their own.
Son and daughter-in-law know how to find an inexpensive apartment near a university in the US, but they don't know how things work in the UK. Where are such rentals listed? Here, they'd start by looking on Craig's List. What's the equivalent there? Can you get a 9-month lease? How do you know if pets would be allowed?
They know that I know people in the UK, so they asked if I would mind asking ... so I'm asking. Can anyone offer information and advice?
Thank you!
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I've written a book! Catherine's Pascha: A celebration of Easter in the Orthodox Church. It's a lovely book for children. Take a look!
Posts: 10273 | From: Pacific Northwest, USA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Scots lass
Shipmate
# 2699
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Posted
Uni accommodation people can be so useless! I'd ask them if they had any adverts for private possibilities for starters - when something similar happened to me that's how I found accommodation. Then try Gumtree's Warwickshire section, Spareroom.co.uk and possibly ChristianFlatshare.org (that last is, I think, probably better for bigger cities). Google local estate agents for flats to let, again, that's how I found a flat in a (very!) small town. The University of Warwick is near Coventry, so bear that in mind when hunting for estate agent possibilities. Someone is bound to be nearer that part of the world than I am, so will have more specific advice!
I think leases are normally for 6 months, then moving to a rolling contract, but if it's a 12 month lease most places will include a break clause earlier if required. There might be an additional fee for that, but it shouldn't be too steep. As for pets - ask the landlord. A lot of rental places say no, but they might be flexible depending on the pet!
Posts: 863 | From: the diaspora | Registered: Apr 2002
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Arrietty
Ship's borrower
# 45
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Posted
www.rightmove.co.uk
www.zoopla.co.uk
are two sites which list rental accommodation.
Warwick uni is nearest to Coventry, the best places to live for public transport to and fro are in the south of Coventry like Earlsdon, Canley and Tile Hill.
A lot of students live in Kenilworth and Leamington, transport not quite so
frequent.
If they google for flats and houses to rent they should find letting agencies who put properties online so they can get an idea of prices.
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i-church
Online Mission and Ministry
Posts: 6634 | From: Coventry, UK | Registered: May 2001
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SvitlanaV2
Shipmate
# 16967
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Posted
The University of Warwick! What a good choice. I've been going there for several years to do research at the library.
The campus is on the outskirts of Coventry rather than being in Warwick itself. It's in the middle of nowhere, so wherever your relatives live they'll have to cycle or use public transport to get to the university. I catch the no. 12 bus from the Pool Meadow Bus Station in the centre of Coventry.
Earlsdon is an area on the bus route from Coventry, and it has a nice studenty feel. I understand that Leamington Spa, which is a town at the other end of the bus route, also provides student accommodation. Leamington is probably more expensive, though. The main thing is, landlords in areas around the university are used to letting to students (including foreign students). I imagine that most of them let their properties through agencies, but I don't know which ones. You could google that.
Posts: 6668 | From: UK | Registered: Feb 2012
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Josephine
Orthodox Belle
# 3899
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Posted
Svitlana,my daughter-in-law applied to the University of Warwick entirely because of a collection of manuscripts in their library. She is so very excited about the research that she is going to be able to do. But before she can start in with the manuscripts, she has to have a place to live!
Thanks for the links and ideas and such. I'll pass them along. And if anyone has any more thoughts, I'll pass those along, too.
![[Axe murder]](graemlins/lovedrops.gif)
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I've written a book! Catherine's Pascha: A celebration of Easter in the Orthodox Church. It's a lovely book for children. Take a look!
Posts: 10273 | From: Pacific Northwest, USA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Pomona
Shipmate
# 17175
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Posted
I'm surprised the student accommodation office weren't more helpful - is she doing postgraduate studies? It's possibly different then, but most universities here guarantee accommodation for first-year students.
As they're a married couple they won't get 'standard' student houseshares - here most students live in a house of 4 or more people, owned by specialist student landlords (and almost always no pets allowed). In non-student housing, you might be allowed a cat or a smaller animal but not a dog. Either way, ads for rented accommodation usually include whether the tenants can have pets or not, and landlords might be willing to negotiate.
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Consider the work of God: Who is able to straighten what he has bent? [Ecclesiastes 7:13]
Posts: 5319 | From: UK | Registered: Jun 2012
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Welease Woderwick
Sister Incubus Nightmare
# 10424
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Posted
Plus bringing pets into UK can be a difficult process.
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Posts: 48139 | From: 1st on the right, straight on 'til morning | Registered: Sep 2005
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Ariel
Shipmate
# 58
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Posted
Very few landlords permit pets and the same is true of smoking, btw. When you rent a place, you will probably not have the option of putting up pictures/redecorating it, either, even if you are renting an unfurnished place.
Furnished is usually more expensive than unfurnished but has the element of convenience that mostly everything is provided for you. This can include bedlinen, cutlery, plates etc. which are all quite useful for people coming from overseas, but do ask exactly what is included in "furnished" as sometimes it may just be the furniture.
Either way, be prepared for some hefty expenditure. The norm is usually two months' rent by way of deposit plus the first month's rent in advance. Also agencies will charge their own fees - credit reference check, inventory, fee for the contract, admin fee etc. Unfortunately this is widespread practice. As a very rough rule of thumb, if somewhere is advertised for rent at £500 a month your initial costs before you have moved in will most likely be in the region of £1500 plus whatever other fees are added on. And add to that your own personal costs - things you need to buy/rent (car?), getting set up with internet/phone etc.
Central Coventry is an odd mixture of depressing brutalist architecture mingled with medieval buildings and the two cathedrals. The city was bombed heavily during the war and the rebuilt bits are often less than aesthetically pleasing. The surroundings, by contrast, can be quite pretty, and there are some lovely places in the vicinity and lots of interesting things to see and do. If your d-i-l is a historian she will love the South Warwickshire area - not that I'm one, but I know I do.
Posts: 25445 | Registered: May 2001
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rufiki
Ship's 'shroom
# 11165
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Posted
Warwick University Student's Union has some advice pages on accommodation. There's also some contact details there if she has more questions.
[ 11. August 2013, 08:00: Message edited by: rufiki ]
Posts: 1562 | Registered: Mar 2006
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Jenn.
Shipmate
# 5239
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Posted
Bear in mind that Earlsdon etc are very very studenty. Leamington is nicer, probably more suitable for couples and only a few extra minutes on the bus. South Leamington is very studenty too. North leamington a little less so. Kenilworth is lovely, between the uni and Leamington. You can walk from uni to kenilworth in about an hour, or bus it, but buses from here direct to the uni are less frequent. Most will stop at the end of gibbet hill and you'll have to walk the 5-10 minutes from there to campus.
If you are looking for accomodation for a couple, rightmove is probably a good bet.
Warwick uni is great. I was there 10 yrs ago and am VERY fond of the area. I hope you son and d-i-l have a great time.
Posts: 2282 | From: England | Registered: Nov 2003
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Robert Armin
All licens'd fool
# 182
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Posted
Any chance that you and mousethief might come over to visit them? That would be great!
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Keeping fit was an obsession with Fr Moity .... He did chin ups in the vestry, calisthenics in the pulpit, and had developed a series of Tai-Chi exercises to correspond with ritual movements of the Mass. The Antipope Robert Rankin
Posts: 8927 | From: In the pack | Registered: May 2001
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Pia
Shipmate
# 17277
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Posted
Warwick is a great university, Josephine, and I'm sure your DIL will have a great time there. Lots of good advice here, from those who know the place better than me (I've been there a lot, but only for short periods). I'd add the following ideas:
- your DIL could ask if she could send a message around her host department to see if anyone has or knows about accommodation that might be suitable (often people going on sabbatical for a semester or a year are glad to have a house-sitter)
- ask the university if they have a waiting list for accommodation (students - especially international students who are more likely to be coming with partners/families and thus signed up for the kind of accommodation your DIL would need - often don't materialise at the start of the academic year, and places may become available when otherwise they wouldn't be)
- as someone else said, be sure to ask both the official university accommodation office and the students' union, as they may have different lists
Good luck to her. I hope she has a fabulous time.
Posts: 151 | Registered: Aug 2012
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Drifting Star
Drifting against the wind
# 12799
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Posted
Someone up-thread said that it's in the middle of nowhere - it really isn't. It's within the city of Coventry and there are plenty of residential streets within easy walking distance - if she's happy to walk a mile or so, there are even more.
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The soul is dyed the color of its thoughts. Heraclitus
Posts: 3126 | From: A thin place. | Registered: Jul 2007
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SvitlanaV2
Shipmate
# 16967
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Drifting Star:
Someone up-thread said that it's in the middle of nowhere - it really isn't. It's within the city of Coventry and there are plenty of residential streets within easy walking distance - if she's happy to walk a mile or so, there are even more.
That was me! I'm just used to a more built-up environment, including around universities. But the setting is certainly pleasant.
Posts: 6668 | From: UK | Registered: Feb 2012
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Ann
Curious
# 94
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Posted
Although I don't know anything about the university in Coventry, I have two daughters at different universities.
For one, the student lets are nine month contracts to fit in with the academic year (her fiancé is doing a masters there which goes on longer and has had to move out of the student let when the contract ran out - there were no extensions - and back into halls of residence (owned and operated by the uni usually for first year students only, but they're empty at the moment except for masters students)).
The other daughter is in a university town which runs twelve month contracts as standard, even although the students will be back at their homes for at least three months.
For each of them, the contract states that they will pay the rent for the whole of the contract with no let-out before it ends.
As students don't have an income of their own, they have to have a guarantor (usually a parent, definitely a wage earner) who signs a contract to guarantee that if the student defaults on the rent or causes damage, the guarantor will pay and, as several students usually share a house, the contracts are usually worded such that if a student and his/her guarantor default, the other guarantors are liable - the landlord will get the money one way or another.
The deposit (my girls only ever had to pay one month deposit and a months rent in advance) is held in escrow and should be returned afterwards once the landlord/agency has inspected the place for damage. I've always taken photos of their room and any common rooms before they've moved in - just in case.
They will usually have to pay utility bills (and that might be by meter, which is the most expensive way of buying gas/electricity, but the landlord won't get an unpaid bill) and they will have to pay for phone and internet (if they want a television, they will also have to pay for a TV licence). I know if a place is let solely to students, they don't have to pay council tax, but I'm not sure about the position of foreign students or masters/PhD.
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Ann
Posts: 3271 | From: IO 91 PI | Registered: May 2001
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Amorya
Ship's tame galoot
# 2652
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Posted
If they're looking to take public transport to the university, then consider Canley (walkable), Tile Hill, Earlsdon, some parts of Whoberley or Chapelfields, or Kenilworth or Leamington. The latter is a bit further away (maybe a half hour bus ride rather than fifteen minutes).
I'll write a more extended post later (it's very late here), but do feel free to ask me any questions. I live in Whoberley, studied at Warwick for many years, and I rent out rooms in my house to students — sadly they're all let for this academic year, but it does mean I know a bit about how things work.
As for a starting point web site, I'd tend to go to rightmove.co.uk, or contact a Coventry specific estate agent like Merrick Binch.
Amorya
Posts: 2383 | From: Coventry | Registered: Apr 2002
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Leorning Cniht
Shipmate
# 17564
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Ann:
The other daughter is in a university town which runs twelve month contracts as standard, even although the students will be back at their homes for at least three months.
IME, 12 months with no break clause is pretty normal for private lets to students.
For council tax, the important thing is "full-time student". PhD students and dirty foreigners still count ![[Smile]](smile.gif) Last time I cared, all occupants of the house had to be full-time students for the exemption to apply.
Posts: 5026 | From: USA | Registered: Feb 2013
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Surfing Madness
Shipmate
# 11087
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Posted
As far as council tax is concerned. If you are in a home where one person is a full time student is a full time student and the other isn't, you get the same discount as a single person (this means you pay council tax at 75%). When looking at places it is worth checking the tax council band, as some places this will be significantly more than others (it's based on the price of the property, but things as straightforward as does it have a nice view can up it's value.)
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I now blog about all my crafting! http://inspiredbybroadway.blogspot.co.uk
Posts: 1542 | From: searching for the jam | Registered: Feb 2006
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Amorya
Ship's tame galoot
# 2652
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Leorning Cniht:
quote:
Originally posted by Ann:
The other daughter is in a university town which runs twelve month contracts as standard, even although the students will be back at their homes for at least three months.
IME, 12 months with no break clause is pretty normal for private lets to students.
You can get both 10 month and 12 month contracts in Coventry.
Regarding council tax, band A (the lowest) is about £100/month. As others have mentioned, you pay the full amount if there are two or more non-students in the house, 75% if there is one non-student, or nothing if the only people there are students.
I think the main problem will be finding a one or two bedroom flat on a student let. Most of the student houses are much larger, typically 3-8 bedroom houses, and are let per bedroom to multiple people. If they wanted to go with one of those, they'd either have to find some more housemates, or just get put with random people.
They could try looking at flats that weren't explicitly for students. A lot of landlords will only rent to people with jobs, but some of them are more flexible, especially if they're trying to fill somewhere in a hurry. Phone an estate agent and ask if there is anything they can do.
quote:
Originally posted by Jade Constable:
I'm surprised the student accommodation office weren't more helpful - is she doing postgraduate studies? It's possibly different then, but most universities here guarantee accommodation for first-year students.
I'm not surprised. Warwick Accommodation doesn't have enough rooms. They've even started getting first years to share rooms (which is almost unheard of in the UK) in order to meet the capacity required.
quote:
Originally posted by Ariel:
Furnished is usually more expensive than unfurnished but has the element of convenience that mostly everything is provided for you. This can include bedlinen, cutlery, plates etc. which are all quite useful for people coming from overseas, but do ask exactly what is included in "furnished" as sometimes it may just be the furniture.
In my experience, 'furnished' (especially for student properties) includes bed, desk, wardrobe and chair in the bedrooms, a sofa or two in the lounge, and possibly a dining table if there's space. It'll probably come with a fridge, possibly a washing machine, but almost certainly won't have a dishwasher or tumble dryer.
Pretty much all student properties are furnished. For non-student properties, you can find either, although unfurnished is probably a bit more common.
quote:
Originally posted by Josephine:
How do you know if pets would be allowed?
As others have mentioned, most places don't allow pets. Do check with the landlord, especially if it doesn't mention either way in the advert — I know a few that are officially no pets but they'll turn a blind eye to a cage of guinea pigs, for example.
Posts: 2383 | From: Coventry | Registered: Apr 2002
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betjemaniac
Shipmate
# 17618
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Amorya:
As others have mentioned, most places don't allow pets. Do check with the landlord, especially if it doesn't mention either way in the advert — I know a few that are officially no pets but they'll turn a blind eye to a cage of guinea pigs, for example.
Indeed, although I think the principal problem is going to be getting a pet through UK Customs - it's got theoretically more straightforward since the introduction of pet passports, but is still not for the faint hearted. A friend of mine last year moved back to the UK after a period living abroad in a non EU country. During this time they acquired a dog. Customs were happy to let the dog in, but only if it spent 6 months in quarantine at Heathrow en route.
Might be easier to leave the pets behind if someone will look after them?
[ 12. August 2013, 11:46: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
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And is it true? For if it is....
Posts: 1481 | From: behind the dreaming spires | Registered: Mar 2013
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Josephine
Orthodox Belle
# 3899
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Posted
I can't tell y'all how much I appreciate your sharing your knowledge and experience! I've sent the info to son and d-i-l.
Sadly, I doubt mousethief and I will be able to make it over. He's in school himself right now, which makes both time and money a bit tight.
I'm wondering now about the need for a guarantor. D-i-l is on a Fulbright. I wonder if that program acts as guarantor for housing? Or if the funding provided through the program is enough that she won't need a guarantor?
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I've written a book! Catherine's Pascha: A celebration of Easter in the Orthodox Church. It's a lovely book for children. Take a look!
Posts: 10273 | From: Pacific Northwest, USA | Registered: Jan 2003
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rufiki
Ship's 'shroom
# 11165
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Posted
I don't know anything about Fulbright, but when I did my PhD, my grant was accepted by the letting agent in their "can these people afford this" calculation. This was a standard non-student let.
We had to show that we had a certain amount coming in. I can't remember how much, but it was significantly more than the actual rent amount. It was the agent's estimate of what three people would need to live. Of my two housemates, one was on a full time salary. His salary plus my grant came to more than the specified amount. The other housemate was also working, but didn't have regular hours so her earnings didn't count.
Of course this was just one agent so mileage may well vary.
Posts: 1562 | Registered: Mar 2006
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Amorya
Ship's tame galoot
# 2652
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Josephine:
I'm wondering now about the need for a guarantor. D-i-l is on a Fulbright. I wonder if that program acts as guarantor for housing? Or if the funding provided through the program is enough that she won't need a guarantor?
I've rented student accommodation without a guarantor before, but I think it's rare. Usually they seem to want parent or guardian.
However, I think rufiki is right, if one of them is getting a Ph.D. stipend, that does count as salary, so they might be fine for non-student houses (which typically don't need a guarantor, just proof of income). Some places will ask for a few months of bank statements.
BTW, I've just remembered another estate agent: if they're going to consider Leamington, try Spa Estates. They're focussed on students, but I seem to remember them being really helpful and flexible. I once had trouble with a house we were renting from Dhesi Estates (who you should avoid like the plague), and ended up talking to Spa Estates after being recommended them by the Students' Union. We didn't get a house through them in the end (as Dhesi got scared by our legal threats and honoured the original contract), but they're probably worth talking to.
Amorya
Posts: 2383 | From: Coventry | Registered: Apr 2002
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Leorning Cniht
Shipmate
# 17564
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Amorya:
However, I think rufiki is right, if one of them is getting a Ph.D. stipend, that does count as salary, so they might be fine for non-student houses (which typically don't need a guarantor, just proof of income).
Some time ago, I rented a "normal-person flat" for a year based on my Ph.D. stipend, which was just barely sufficient to not require a guarantor. In recent years, stipends have gone up, so assuming Fulbright followed course, they might be OK.
Posts: 5026 | From: USA | Registered: Feb 2013
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