[HDNG]IN COLLEGE:[EHDNG][PARA][STAT][BULL] Catered: 70%[ESTAT][PARA][BOLD]Availability: [EBOLD]One of the best features of the Oxford colleges is that accommodation is guaranteed in college rooms ([ITAL]often of an excellent standard[EITAL]) for all 1st years.  Most colleges also provide for finalists and so, if they want, students can usually stay in college for all but one of their years.  What's more, rooms are cleaned, beds are made and sleeping partners are frowned upon by 'bedders' or 'scouts' in most colleges.  Each college has its own quirks and quiddities, for example, St Hilda's is all female and in some colleges most 1st years have to share, but all this stuff varies from college to college and details can be found in the entries following.  Centrally, the University has no accommodation except for a few flats - and we're talking very few - for married and single graduates, but you can kill to get them without it helping.[HDNG]EXTERNALLY:[EHDNG][PARA][GRPH]A3[EGRPH][STAT][BULL] Ave rent: £45[ESTAT][PARA][BOLD]Availability:[EBOLD] [ITAL]There are 2 major problems with non-University accommodation in Oxford.  First, cost; second, availability.  But, hey, apart from that, there are minor problems too, such as the standard of housing which, for the money, could be better, the shark landlords and the lack of parking space.  While the situation's pretty bleak[EITAL] and although Oxford has a serious homelessness problem, it isn't the students who are sleeping in doorways.  Most of the available accommodation is in shared housing, rented privately.   There are also a few bedsits, although these tend to be less popular, and digs (a room in a resident landlord's house), which are a last resort for most students.[PARA][PARA][STAT][BULL] Renting: 30%[ESTAT][PARA][BOLD]Housing help: [EBOLD][ITAL]The best way of finding a house is to get friendly with someone who's got one the year before you need it.[EITAL]  You can also turn to agencies who'll charge a supplement, or to ads on notice-boards around the colleges.  The University-run Accommodation Office with 2 full time staff, a vacancies list and bulletin board usually only points students in the right direction.  The local Housing Rights Centre is much frequented by students, but, like OUSU, they can only offer free advice and don't have any vacancies to dish out.