House hunting season has begun! Looking for accommodation can seem daunting, and it’s hard to know where to start. We're going to share our advice to help you kick things off.
House hunting fairs
House hunting fairs are great places to start looking for your next student house. These events are a great opportunity to meet reps from local letting agencies and discuss the available properties. Check out your university's website and social media pages for upcoming events.
It pays to be patient
When you’ve found a place you like, don’t rush into signing the contract. If you're thinking of renting with a private landlord, it's best to wait until after Christmas to start viewing properties. This is when the best student housing is advertised for the next academic year.
Secondly, if you rush into things by signing a tenancy agreement before Christmas, you may later decide you don't want to live with the housemates you’ve chosen. This is particularly risky in your first year. Get to know the people you're planning to live with before signing a tenancy agreement.
If something doesn't feel right or seems too good to be true, trust your instincts. Remember that there are lots of options for student accommodation, whether you have housemates lined up or not. Some universities even offer the opportunity to move back into halls if you want to.
University accommodation services
Before you start talking to letting agencies, speak to your university's accommodation services. They’ll probably have a list of accredited landlords, which will spare you any drama further down the line.
When you sign your tenancy, it's worth asking your Students’ Union if they have a contract checking service. Trained staff can read your contract to make sure it's legit before you sign it.
Check out Rate Your Landlord to see past reviews of landlords and properties. A handy scoring system rates landlords out of five on categories like deposit handling and willingness to carry out repairs. You can also see an overall rank based on the scores they have received.
Any questions?
Make sure you attend viewings with a list of questions and don't be shy about asking. It's worth discussing the questions you want to ask with your housemates.
Here are some examples of questions to ask when you view the property:
- Is your deposit protected under the Tenancy Deposit Scheme?
- What security features does the property have? Are there locks on all the external windows and doors?
- Does the property have a burglar alarm? If so, how often does it get serviced?
- Ask to look at the gas safety certificate.
- Can I see the energy performance certificate?
If possible, speak to the current tenants. They'll tell you things the landlord or agency might want to keep secret.
Things to look out for
When viewing the property, keep your eyes peeled for pests like silverfish or fruit flies. Also, look out for rat traps and any other forms of pest control used by the current tenants.
We'd strongly advise booking viewings during daylight hours so you're less likely to miss issues like pest control, unfixed damage, or unsightly stains.
If possible, check behind bins and at the back of cupboards for any damp or mouldy patches.
Look for security features in the house, including the locks on external doors and windows. Check if the property has a burglar alarm. Be sure to look out for broken locks.
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