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Thread for accommodation questions for 09/10 entry - READ & POST HERE FIRST :o)

We will begin updating this for 10/11 entry - please be patient! Until then, all of the answers to most of your questions can be found in this thread already - please read it. Then add to this post if you've got any other questions and we'll do our best to help.

***FINDING PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION IN EDINBURGH***

It seems that the university is claiming that they will only be able to offer bunk bed twin rooms to large numbers of students for the new year. Obviously, sharing a room isn't the nicest of prospects to look forward to however nice your prospective roommate might be, so I thought I'd put together a little section on finding private accommodation for those who decide not to accept their offers. Remember, you do not have to accept the accommodation offer if you don't want to do so and there are plenty of alternatives - Edinburgh has a lot of very good flats on offer to students.

I want to join an existing flat

Look on the university student union forum here (the link brings you to the accommodation forum). This is generally the first port of call for people to advertise spare rooms, or you can place an advert saying you're looking for a room. Most people advertising on here will be Edinburgh University students.

Or alternatively, try the Edinburgh Gumtree page here.

You can also go into the Potterrow student union in Bristo Square during the festival, and at the back inbetween the SU office and SU shop, there is an accommodation notice board.

I want to find my own flat and some flatmates

This is really easy to do, and if you've got a spare few days in which to head to Edinburgh even better. There are loads of student flats in Edinburgh with 2, 3 or 4 people being the norm so you don't need to have many people. There are loads of people on TSR discussing getting private accommodation so it might be worth PMing them to see if they want to join up with you.

If you are looking to share with 2 or more people you are NOT related to, you need to make sure that your landlord has a HMO licsence on the property which is a legal requirement for rentals to unrelated groups of 3 or more adults.

Landlords and Property Management Companies

You want a landlord who is accredited by the Edinburgh City Council landlord accreditation scheme, which means the landlord and the property has to adhere to certain rules and regulations. Not all landlords are part of this scheme and I'd advise avoiding ones which aren't, esspecially as you're new to the area. Check with the council if in doubt. Private landlords (ie: not large rental/property management companies) are generally better as you can always get hold of them incase of problems and they usually only own one or a few flats, meaning the upkeep is generally better. There are lots of property management companies in Edinburgh, some with better reviews than others. Grant Management is considered to be a company to avoid by most of the student population, and the majority of students know someone who has been messed around/fobbed off/generally had a bad time with GM. I personally would never live in a flat managed by them regardless of how cheap the rent had been made. Other popular management companies are Edinburgh Letting Service, Crichton Stuart, Dove Davies and Edinburgh Property Management, although obviously there are more. I have friends who have rented with all of these companies and they are considered to be better than GM, although I am not saying that all of these are wonderful. As I said you are better off with a private landlord if at all possible.

Finding a flat

You can use the websites I gave above, or alternatively there are loads of search engines where private landlords and property management companies advertise. The most used ones are city lets, s1 rental, letting web, ESPC, letting in Scotland, Student Pad. Again, this list as with the property management isn't exhaustive. Each of the PM companies I listed above also have their own websites.

There is plenty of property available in Edinburgh, so you should be able to find something. Some of my friends came up this summer for 1 week and found a flat easily.

Where shall I live?

The main student areas of Edinburgh are known as Marchmont, Newington, Tollcross, Bruntsfield, New Town and Old Town. Basically, if you have a map of Edinburgh, this is the area which is encircled by Queen Street in the north, then to the east, as far as Holyrood Park and Dalkeith Road, to the south it would be north of Strathern Road level, then to the west, Lothian Road which then becomes Bruntsfield Place. All of these areas are within a 20-25 minute walk of the George Square area of the university, and within walking distance of most popular clubs, pubs and also supermarkets.

(Obviously people live outwith this area, but I am speaking in general terms)

How much will it cost?

Housing here is more expensive than a lot of the UK, and I cringe when I hear how little friends at university in different parts of the country are paying. The thing to remember is that Edinburgh is a capital city, and you want to live in the centre of it, so compared to London and many other capitals, Edinburgh is pretty reasonable on the pricing front.

In general, rental rates start at around £300 per person per month excluding bills and go up to in excess of £400. However, you should be able to get a decent room for less than £320. Bills are generally around £20-25 each a month in my own experience. As a student you will not have to pay council tax and as a result you don't have to pay for water either. Therefore, try not to live with someone who is working unless you can come to an agreement on council tax payment. It is usual that there will be a stair cleaner to clean the communal staircase and each flat pays their share each month - the others in your building will be quick to let you know the procedure when you move in.

Leases are usually always for 12 months, with little room for negotiation. You will be expected to pay rent every single month regardless of whether you are living in the property or not. This is standard procedure, unlike in some other university towns and cities. Many students chose to sublet their room in the summer months to people who are living in Edinburgh for the festival, or stay in the flat themselves working in the city.

Deposits are usually one month rent, which can sometimes be used in lieu of a 12th month payment. All breakages and repair costs are generally paid for by the landlord, not the tenants (unless of course you break it by being stupid/drunk!).

What are the properties like?

All properties here are old tenement style flats, with a shared staircase and 2-4 properties on each floor, usually with 3 or 4 floors. There is usually a shared garden for which you will have access. I've never known anyone to live in a house. They all have very high ceilings and usually contain huge rooms with large windows. A lot of the windows are only single glazed so if you find one with double glazing you've got a good deal, meaning the flats can get very cold in winter. Get used to sleeping in layers and using sleeping bags if you want to live here and save on bills! Some flats have lounges and others don't (it is normally around £320 for a seperate lounge) but most have a large kitchen with sofas here. There is generally only one bathroom. A lot of properties have lots of cupboards for storage and many have lovely, tiled fireplaces which although are no longer in use make brilliant decorative pieces in your bedroom!

---- I hope this is of some use to people... and good luck flat searching! It is easier than you think!

-----------------------------------

Hi,

As accommodation questions seem to be surfacing I thought it'd be nice to keep everything on one thread and pool the resources that we already have into one thread. There have been loads threads over the last few years where people have asked the same questions again and again (as obviously everyone always wants to know the same thing) so to try and stop the repetitive questions, I thought I'd make a proper thread using information current students have given in the past. I'll add to this when I've got more time, at the moment I've gone back as far as this time next year looking for useful threads.

University of Edinburgh wiki - contains photos.

The wiki is a very good point of reference for any questions and has been created by several of the current students who are the 'main' posters in the Edinburgh forum. This means our opinion is already reflected here, so we don't need to write it again. Please read the wiki.

APPLY ONLINE NOW - if you have accepted Edinburgh as your firm OR insurance place. It is NOT first come, first served. It does not matter when you apply as long as you meet the deadline, which is in the summer.

Applications are now being accepted.
Again, it does NOT matter when you apply.
Accommodation isn't issued by order of application.

*New*

Ensure you apply for accommodation using an email address which you will still have access to in September. Offers are sent out via email and you have to accept the offer by clicking on the link and paying your deposit over the internet. This means you should NOT use an email address from school, college, work or anywhere else where you might not be able to access it come the end of august. Many schools and colleges delete students from their user areas after exams in June meaning you can't access your email which is fundamental for after results day. This also applies to the general UCAS form, ensure you're using something you'll be contactable on until you arrive at university.

(Otherwise you end up in a mess like I did where come results day you realise you can't recieve any accommodation emails and then end up having to completely reapply just to change your email address)

**NEW**

Room Sizes:

There are a lot of questions about the room sizing and whether one should apply for a small, medium or large room. The general concenus from current students is that you should always apply for the SMALL room size where ever possible - particularly if you are concerned about money - because the size difference between the rooms is marginal.

This "choice" only came into opperation about 2 years ago (I didn't get a choice) and is simply being used as another way for the university accommodation services to get more money out of students. Paying an extra £10 a week for a "big" room will gain you a room which is say, 30cm wider than that of your flatmate with the "small" room.... you may as well donate £10 a week to Uni AS people as you're getting very little for the extra money.

08/09 (last yr) entry accommodation application discussion

Why did you apply for your accommodation/where did you apply 08/09

Where is the best place to live in Edinburgh?

Price of accommodation, artorscience's post in particular

UNITE at Edinburgh

Where to live/prices for after first year

Edinburgh is my insurance choice, do I still apply?

Self catered accommodation = single sex (in general)

Detailed stuff:

Pollock meal times

Mini fridge? What to and what not to bring!

Should I bring a TV?

Should I bring my bike?

Can I bring my dog to Edinburgh?

From the Edinburgh University website:

Will I be guarenteed accommodation?

Prices and Accommodation types, plus details about Internet

----

Obviously questions do always arise and we all certainly had loads before we came to Edinburgh. We don't mind answering questions at all, as obviously, we'd like to help prospective students as much as we can. I know the university accommodation website isn't very detailed, whereas the TSR site is pretty good at answering questions. However, we do also have lives to lead and get on with our degrees too. So many generic questions can be answered by using the links above and by using the search function. But as I said fire away with questions.... but it'd be easier if they're all in one place.

Thank you!

I hope you end up loving Edinburgh as much as I do :love:

Reply 80

artorscience?

11

Rainfaery

In self-catered accommodation, are things like pots and pans provided, or do we need to bring/buy those?

Also: Things like duvets and sheets and whatnot. Provided or bring/buy?

All self catered have some pots and pans, but generally not enough for a flat of 4-6 to cook from if you all cook, and not necessarily in a good condition. Bedding isn't provided in your accommodation costs, most people bring their own but you can purchase a bedding pack from the university (it used to be around £30, so it probably still is).

Reply 81

Oxy

14

Rainfaery

Another question or two:

In self-catered accommodation, are things like pots and pans provided, or do we need to bring/buy those?

Also: Things like duvets and sheets and whatnot. Provided or bring/buy?

They've just updated all the info about all the residences at the start of feb go on and have a look :smile:

it also has the new pricing for 09/10 year its even more expensive that last year on most! It tells u everything u get from furniture to net connections etc...

If you cant find it heres the link:
http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/accommodation-services/new-prospective/undergraduate/ug-self-catered/self-catered-details

Reply 82

elle17

I was wondering if anyone knew anything about Blackfriars street? It's on the information page but I can't find it on the map of self catered accommodation. It sounds really nice but I don't know where it is located.
Also, is the first year of medicine spent at George Square?

Reply 83

ScholarsInk

10

elle17

I was wondering if anyone knew anything about Blackfriars street? It's on the information page but I can't find it on the map of self catered accommodation. It sounds really nice but I don't know where it is located.
Also, is the first year of medicine spent at George Square?

This is the building it's in: http://www.smartcityhostels.com/home.html
The UoE housing is different though (proper flats)

I want to go there too, but I don't know what the chances are of getting it (I hold an unconditional). It's the only self-catered, en-suite (both necessary for me) still available for first-years now that the Uni has pulled out of the UNITE buildings so I don't know whether to apply and hope for Blackfriars or just to get a room directly through UNITE.

Reply 84

nearlyheadlessian

15

ScholarsInk

I want to go there too, but I don't know what the chances are of getting it (I hold an unconditional). It's the only self-catered, en-suite (both necessary for me) still available for first-years now that the Uni has pulled out of the UNITE buildings so I don't know whether to apply and hope for Blackfriars or just to get a room directly through UNITE.

Unite is a rip off. Personally I'd put my snobbery to one side and just go with university self-catered. Do you really need to pay 4000 extra just for your own bathroom? In my first year flat we shared 2 bathrooms between 6 of us, hardly that bad.

Reply 85

ScholarsInk

10

nearlyheadlessian

Unite is a rip off. Personally I'd put my snobbery to one side and just go with university self-catered. Do you really need to pay 4000 extra just for your own bathroom? In my first year flat we shared 2 bathrooms between 6 of us, hardly that bad.

I need to frequently do wudhu so it's not, as you say, snobbery. I actually need the bathroom.

Reply 86

Nelien

ScholarsInk

I need to frequently do wudhu so it's not, as you say, snobbery. I actually need the bathroom.

I had to read up on Wudhu so I'm sorry if I'm incorrect, but why do you need you own bathroom to do wudhu? I'm sure your flatmates will respect your faith and let you use the bathroom for wudhu just like anyone would use the bathroom for anything else.. I'm guessing it's about specific times of prayer that you need the bathroom to be available but still I doubt that would be a problem, as ScholarsInk said, 2 bathrooms between 6 people wont make the bathroom that busy.

Reply 87

ScholarsInk

10

Nelien

I had to read up on Wudhu so I'm sorry if I'm incorrect, but why do you need you own bathroom to do wudhu? I'm sure your flatmates will respect your faith and let you use the bathroom for wudhu just like anyone would use the bathroom for anything else.. I'm guessing it's about specific times of prayer that you need the bathroom to be available but still I doubt that would be a problem, as ScholarsInk said, 2 bathrooms between 6 people wont make the bathroom that busy.

Because the bathroom would have to be clean, and (speaking as a male myself) men are absolutely filthy. Whenever I've had to share with other people (school trips et cetera,) there's been piss on the floor and such.

I'm probably the only male I see on a regular basis who washes hands before leaving the bathroom.

Reply 88

Stanyon

Oxy

Ok I like Darroch court and Fraser court. They look quite modern and nice and i like the fact i share with some people so you can make instant friends. I was slightly put off by residences that only have a small number of people like David Horn House which only has 33 single rooms as i think it will be harder to make friends with a small group than a bigger more mixed group? If im wrong please say, what are your thoughts Oxymoronic and artorscience? btw Im applying for a science so im thinking most of my lectures and stuff will be in Kings buildings.

Ditto with everything. I know I will end up clicking on any accomodation just for the hell of it. It says most are 40 minutes walk from Kings and 10 from George's Sq. So thats like 10-15 minutes on my bike in the cold Edinburgh wind, I am sure there will be plenty of buses and stuff if you don't fancy a walk- hell I might end up walking with you :biggrin:

Reply 89

elisabethbridge

1

Stanyon

Ditto with everything. I know I will end up clicking on any accomodation just for the hell of it. It says most are 40 minutes walk from Kings and 10 from George's Sq. So thats like 10-15 minutes on my bike in the cold Edinburgh wind, I am sure there will be plenty of buses and stuff if you don't fancy a walk- hell I might end up walking with you :biggrin:

It's only 40 minutes from Cowgate and Darroch, but everything else is 30 minutes away tops. I once managed to walk from my flat in Hermit's Croft to the far end of KB to 7th floor in 25 minutes. :biggrin:

I was late for a tutorial...

Reply 90

Stanyon

Cheers, I am 6"5 I am sure my ridiculously long legs will cover it admirably.

Reply 91

sjames06

elle17

Also, is the first year of medicine spent at George Square?

From what I've been told, not every class. You could end up at little france for PBL sessions, WGH for something else and Teviot for another thing. From what I can gather the majority is spent at teviot but there will be some at hospitals.
I hope that makes sense :p:

Reply 92

Oxy

14

Stanyon

Cheers, I am 6"5 I am sure my ridiculously long legs will cover it admirably.

you would have to look i think you might get a sore neck trying to look down to talk to me lol im only 5 8 haha :biggrin:

Reply 93

oxymoronic

OP

19

ScholarsInk

Because the bathroom would have to be clean, and (speaking as a male myself) men are absolutely filthy. Whenever I've had to share with other people (school trips et cetera,) there's been piss on the floor and such.

I'm probably the only male I see on a regular basis who washes hands before leaving the bathroom.

when you get to second year you're not going to have your own bathroom though anyway...

In first year you have cleaners in the s/c accommodation which come in twice a week and clean your bathroom and kitchen so there isn't really that much oppertunity to make it a mess. From my own experience of being in my male friends flats and that of my boyfriend, and what our cleaner used to say, girls are far more messier than guys and she always vowed that the guys flats were much much cleaner than the girls ones.

Reply 94

elle17

sjames06

From what I've been told, not every class. You could end up at little france for PBL sessions, WGH for something else and Teviot for another thing. From what I can gather the majority is spent at teviot but there will be some at hospitals.
I hope that makes sense :p:

Thanks, but where is "teviot".

Reply 95

Nelien

elle17

Thanks, but where is "teviot".

http://www.ed.ac.uk/maps/buildings/teviot-row-house

That would be in the central university area.

Reply 96

oxymoronic

OP

19

elle17

Thanks, but where is "teviot".

Teviot is a place you will know the bareings of very quickly when you arrive in Edinburgh. You'll know where Teviot is before you know where any of your lecture theatres are, because it is one of the main student union buildings. Which means loads of freshers events are in here, and they have a good pub called the Library Bar for lots of drinking fun in between lectures as its nice and cheap. It's apparently the oldest purpose built student union in Scotland, and looks like a castle.

The medical school building is next door to Teviot, so you'll spend even more time there.

Reply 97

sjames06

elle17

Thanks, but where is "teviot".

I know people have replied, the building itself is

http://www.ed.ac.uk/maps/buildings/medical-school

Reply 98

elle17

Thanks for the info on "teviot".

Reply 99

EJhuish

I am looking at self-catered accommadation, and I really like the look of warrender park crescent or darroch court but the website only shows pictures of the outside of the buildings i was wondering what the interior is like... darroch looks modern from the outside is it the same inside? whereas warrender looks quite old how modern is it inside? also what are fraser court and new arthur place like? I'm pretty hopeless at this accommadation thing!

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