Your worst Hyde Park housing horror stories

As a second year, I think I’ve been pretty lucky in terms of housing. After spending an hour on campus, I realised others weren’t so lucky.

As house-hunting season gets into full swing, spare a thought for these poor souls.

Tilly, third year, English Language and Literature

“We’re owed £110.00 each, from second year.”

Tilly’s old landlord is claiming the money for bills paid in the summer before they moved in. When trying to resolve the issue, the agency claimed loads of legal mumbo jumbo.

What advice would Tilly give to freshers?  “Blue tack is a no no.”

She even painted over any marks and still got in trouble. Poster-lovers out there be extra careful.

Damien, second year, Accounting and Finance

“My friends had all their laptops and cash stolen.”

Hyde Park obviously has a reputation for being unsafe as students are away from their houses for long periods at a time. Chestnut Avenue has even been named one of the most burgled streets in Britain.

What advice would Damien give to freshers? “Lock your doors, lock your windows.”

You can’t claim insurance otherwise.

Lilly, Housing Information Assistant for Student Advice Centre and Unipol

“My housemate didn’t fit in the shower.”

Lilly is a bit of an expert here and even she had some problems with a house she rented. Her and her housemates moved into a property without realising one of the boys didn’t even fit in the shower. Really not ideal.

What advice would Lilly give to freshers? “Good things come to those who wait”.

Leeds is a magical place where there are more rooms available than students. The later your wait, the more desperate landlords get, the more the price goes down. And have a second look at a property before signing – maybe even jump in the shower if you’re not sure.

Katrina, graduate, Social Work

“My shoes had turned green.”

There was so much damp in Katrina’s house, she even had water dripping down the walls in one of the bedrooms. It got so bad that Katrina went to get out a pair of shoes she hadn’t worn in a while and they had turned green.

What advice would Katrina give to freshers? “Ask the current people living in the property for information on the house when the estate agent isn’t around. Landlords tend to listen to parents more than the students living in the house itself.”

Most of the time parents are guarantors, so it can’t hurt getting your Dad to give them a call if things get out of hand.

Sean, second year, History

“There was a bag of weed worth £100 sitting in our living room.”

Their landlord left this boys house a huge bad of weed… a questionable housewarming gift, but each to their own. This came alongside huge leakages and a bin which actually exploded across the street.

What advice would Sean give to freshers? “If a landlord says there is some damp, there is going to be loads of damp. Make sure you’ve got your landlord’s actual phone number too.”

You know, in case it starts raining inside.

Jack, second year, Business Management, and Theo, second year, History

“We both got with our neighbour.”

Boy meets girl, girl turns out to be the next door neighbour, housemate gets with same girl. It’s a bit of an awkward one.

What advice would Jack and Theo give to freshers? “Don’t ruin neighbour relations.”

So there you have it – to avoid having green shoes, damp and having awkward run ins with the neighbours, take their advice seriously.

Best of luck house-hunting freshers – may the odds be ever in your favour.