What to consider when looking for accommodation

Start Early

It’s always difficult to knowwhen to start looking for your accommodation for the following year. It’s wiseto not start until you feel that you’ve definitely found your people to livewith and until you’re settled in your course as, once an agreement is signed,it is legally binding. Once you’ve ticked both these boxes, start lookingaround and get a feel for what’s available.

Consider your options

Where is a good location for youas a group? This could be a house close to campus or a house close to whereyour social life is or, for some, a house that makes getting to and from workeasier is the ideal option.

What is important to you about ahouse? For some, it’s all about the communal space whereas others prefer agood-sized bedroom…try to find somewhere that ticks these boxes.

Research Online

Most landlords have a good onlinepresence with not only a user-friendly website, but also a social mediapresence.

Ask for recommendations

If you know of any students who arealready living in private accommodation, reach out to them and ask if they arehappy with their landlords or if they know of good landlords. Ask them if thelandlord responds quickly to maintenance issues and whether reporting theseissues are easy? Don’t forget that a house can look lovely on a website but ifyou have a landlord or agent who doesn’t take repairs seriously, you could havea problem.

Don’t be afraid to askquestions

How a landlord or agent respondsto you asking questions to make you feel comfortable with any decisions you’remaking indicates what type of landlord they will be….It is as much about thelandlord or agent as it should be about the house you choose.

Ask to see a tenancy agreement

Even before you agree to wantingthe house, it is worth asking if you can go through the tenancy agreement sothat you can ask any questions you might have, get a parent or guardian to checkit over and know that the house is right for you.

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