Well, I can only tell you from the Shaftebury policy (coz I work for them), we run 3 halls for UAL; Don Gratton, Mahha Ash and Coppers Court (post grad only). You have to sign either a 42 or 52 weeks contract, and the price is exactly the same per a week, so you dont get any discount for signing the 52 weeks, and if you sign the 42 weeks contract, there is always a chanc you can extend your contract in April if you wish to stay in the summer for a silghtly higner price, a few pounds extra for a week or sth. For the phone, it's pay as you go, you get it connected for free, so people can call you, so you woudl only have to pay if you wish to make phone calls, I find mobile phone charge the same... so only good for people to call really. For the internet, you would pay between £12 - £20 /months, and if you pay a whole year up front, you get a big discount... I agree, the internet is sucks, but it has nothing to do with the halls, coz it's an outside company that call keycom deals with it, and I absolutely hate them...
it very common you have to pay for your holiday as well as term time. You pay your rent a term up front, and I have seem some people can pay monthly, but very rarely...
I think it's the sme for JMH and most of the halls within the UAL, and the cheapest one is in Camberwell I believe, it's like £70 / week or sth...
By the way only 4 halls with the UAL are en-suite, they are MAH, DGH, JMG and EHH, they are all £100 +, but it's worth... MAH is considered the best mainly coz of it's location, I have been here for 2 years, but will go to DGH next year for a personal reason. DGH is also in a good location... All MAH, DGH and JMH are in good condition and good size...