[HDNG]IN COLLEGE:[EHDNG][PARA][STAT][BULL] Catered: 70%[ESTAT][PARA][BOLD]Availability: [EBOLD]One of the best features of the Oxford colleges is [PARA]that accommodation is guaranteed in college rooms ([ITAL]often of an [PARA]excellent standard[EITAL]) for all 1st years. Most colleges also provide [PARA]for finalists and so, if they want, students can usually stay in [PARA]college for all but one of their years. What's more, rooms are [PARA]cleaned, beds are made and sleeping partners are frowned upon [PARA]by 'bedders' or 'scouts' in most colleges. Each college has its [PARA]own quirks and quiddities, for example, St Hilda's is all female [PARA]and in some colleges most 1st years have to share, but all this [PARA]stuff varies from college to college and details can be found in the[PARA]entries following. Centrally, the University has no [PARA]accommodation except for a few flats - and we're talking very [PARA]few - for married and single graduates, but you can kill to get [PARA]them without it helping.[HDNG]EXTERNALLY:[EHDNG][PARA][GRPH]A3[EGRPH][STAT][BULL] Ave rent: ú45[ESTAT][PARA][BOLD]Availability:[EBOLD] [ITAL]There are 2 major problems with non-University [PARA]accommodation in Oxford. First, cost; second, availability. But, [PARA]hey, apart from that, there are minor problems too, such as the [PARA]standard of housing which, for the money, could be better, the [PARA]shark landlords and the lack of parking space. While the [PARA]situation's pretty bleak[EITAL] and although Oxford has a serious [PARA]homelessness problem, it isn't the students who are sleeping in [PARA]doorways. Most of the available accommodation is in shared [PARA]housing, rented privately. There are also a few bedsits, although [PARA]these tend to be less popular, and digs (a room in a resident [PARA]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 [PARA]with someone who's got one the year before you need it.[EITAL] You [PARA]can also turn to agencies who'll charge a supplement, or to ads [PARA]on notice-boards around the colleges. The University-run [PARA]Accommodation Office with 2 full time staff, a vacancies list and [PARA]bulletin board usually only points students in the right direction. [PARA]The local Housing Rights Centre is much frequented by students,[PARA]but, like OUSU, they can only offer free advice and don't have [PARA]any vacancies to dish out.
