In places where there is intense competition for properties, students need to start looking well ahead. The University of Sussex starts making arrangements for autumn lets in February. Most universities run their own accommodation service, introducing landlords and tenants to each other. De Montfort is fairly typical in not visiting and vetting each property - but it does strike out landlords and letting agencies if it is disturbed by their behaviour. Another name struck off the list was the letting agency which would agree a rental premium with tenants but then start bartering with students over the deposit.
Deposits are a constant source of complaints.
A way to prevent this is to do a careful inventory with the landlord, since most deposits are withheld on the grounds that furniture has been damaged or cleaners have had to be brought in after the tenants leave. The University of Sussex recommends that students bring along a friend who can act as an independent witness when they inspect the property with the landlord just before moving out. Many landlords often say at this stage that the property looks fine, but then write later to say that they need to pay to restore it to its previous condition. But if they have made their initial comment in front of a third party, they might then be less inclined to change their mind. Many students are now routinely withholding the final month of their rent because they expect their deposit to be withheld.