POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN EDUCATION PROGRAMME - 2014/15: Accommodation
As you will have been made aware during your interview, the nature of the PGCE programme is such that you may be expected to take up a placement outside of Bristol. You may have to travel or find temporary accommodation in order to reach school in good time and be refreshed once you get there. The PGCE office has contacts with local householders in most of the areas for these school placements, however, sometimes accommodation in a B&B might be the best option.
Students registered on the programme are eligible to claim for some assistance with their travel expenses. Students with placements outside of Bristol, and are required to stay away during the week, will be offered financial assistance. Further details on all expenses will be provided at the start of the programme.
The Accommodation Office runs a housing advice service for all University of Bristol staff and students, if you have any problems, contact as below.
The Accommodation Office
The Hawthorns
Woodland Road
Bristol BS8 1UQ
Tel: +44 (0)117 95 46640
Fax: +44 (0)117 33 10547
Email:
Office opening times
MONDAY / 10 am - 4.00 pmTUESDAY / 1 pm - 4.00 pm
WEDNESDAY / 10 am - 4.00 pm
THURSDAY / 10 am - 4.00 pm
FRIDAY / 10 am - 4.00 pm
Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve been advised not to sign a long-term contract – is this possible?
The majority of student landlords will expect you to sign a fixed-term tenancy agreement, sometimes for 9 months but more often for 12 months. It is possible to find landlords willing to agree to 6 month contracts, particularly in the professional letting market. 6 months is usually the shortest assured shorthold tenancy you will find. However resident landlords are more flexible and can offer shorter tenancies.
Are there any landlords advertising through the Accommodation Office who offer short-term lets on the Accommodation Office website?
You may find short term lets on our ‘Property Search’ website. See link to ‘Property Search’ below. If you get really stuck it is always worth asking the Accommodation Office whether they have any vacancies in University residences.
What about resident landlords?
It may be easier for you to negotiate a shorter stay with a resident landlord. A resident landlord owns and lives in the property with the tenants. Some of the resident landlords registered with us live in very large properties and their tenant/s live in a separate part of the house with their own facilities. You can search specifically for resident landlords on ‘Property Search’. See link below.
What happens if I have signed a 12 month fixed term contract but then find out I am not going to be in Bristol for the spring or summer term?
If you’re starting a PGCE programme and are likely to be leaving Bristol before the end of your tenancy then you should inform your co-tenants and discuss this with prospective landlords before signing a contract to check whether they are happy to allow you to find a suitable replacement tenant to take over your tenancy or to sublet for the period you’re away.
Landlords can prohibit subletting if they so wish but should allow you to transfer the tenancy to a suitable replacement tenant unless they have good reason not to. You are likely to incur some administrative costs. If you’re having problems getting a landlord to agree to you finding a replacement tenant then please contact us at the Accommodation Office. If you can’t find a replacement tenant by the time you need to leave and your landlord will not agree to release you from your contract, you may still be liable to pay rent until the fixed term ends or until a replacement tenant is found.
How would I go about advertising my room details if I have to leave Bristol?
The best place to do this is on the Accommodation Office‘Bulletin Board’ on our website, see link below. You may also wish to advertise on other student websites such asthose listed in our finding accommodation factsheet. You could also try putting adverts in local shop windows, etc.You will need to have the agreement of your landlord to find a replacement tenant. If you have problems with this please contact us.
If I give up my room for the Spring term what can I do when I come back for the Summer term?
The Accommodation Office often has vacancies from January onwards, if you find you need accommodation in Bristol you should contact them.
Is there any financial assistance available if I have to pay rent on 2 properties?
If you are having money troubles then please contact the Student Funding Office at Senate House Telephone: +44 (0) 117 331 7972, Email: . They will be able to assess you for support under the ‘Access to Learning Fund’ and if you are experiencing hardship they may be able to offer limited financial assistance.
What’s the difference between ‘individual’and ‘joint’ tenancy agreements?
If you have an individual agreement you will only be responsible for payment of your own rent. If you sign a joint tenancy agreement you will be jointly and individually liable for the rent for the whole house. So, if you move out during the fixed term and stop paying without having found a replacement the landlord could ask your co-tenants to make up the shortfall. The remaining tenants could sue you for your share of the rent if you do leave without having found a replacement and they have been forced to pay your rent in your absence.
How do I find accommodation in the private sector?
Important information:
There are a number of scams operating in the UK which involve criminals posing as landlords and collecting "rent" for properties they do not own. You should never transfer or hand over money unless you are absolutely sure that the person accepting the money can let the property to you. See . If you are in any doubt you can check property ownership online with the UK Land Registry.
For all the information you need about finding rented accommodation please see where you can also download factsheets with all the details you will need
Passwords for Propert Search and Bulletin Board
Password: jelly88
Username: blue44
The Accommodation Office runs a housing advice service for all University of Bristol staff and students, if you have any problems to do with your private rented accommodation please contact us straight away