• Make Sure Your Contract is Legal

► Accommodation

ADVICE ON HOUSING

There are a couple of crucial things to remember when you’re thinking about housing. The first and most important is that it’s only November. It’s really early days, there is ample housing in Durham and there is no need to panic. It’s a well-kept secret in Durham that a lot of the nicer properties don’t become available until January.

It is really important that you choose the right people to live with, so give yourself time to make friends and choose your housemates wisely. When you do start house-hunting, look at a number of properties before you choose one. Take your time and examine each property thoroughly. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

The University’s Accommodation Office has its own website www.durhamstudentpad.co.uk which has good, accredited landlords on it and many of them won’t advertise until after Christmas.

 

CONTRACT CHECKING

Durham Students' Union run a contract checking service to ensure that you are not signing away any of your legal rights under the Housing Act and ensures that there are no unfair terms in the contract.

To get your contract checked, make sure you drop in to the Advice Centre on Level A with a copy of your contract and it will be checked by our trained advisors for you. Please allow 48 hours for this to be done.

The Advice Centre is open Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm. Alternatively email your contract to dsu.advice@durham.ac.uk