- 3-minute read
- 3rd September 2015
How to Find an Awesome Student House
In your first year at university you’ll probably be living in halls of residence, but in the second year most people move off-campus. It’s therefore important to start thinking about finding a student house early on, even if you’re busy working and socialising, as leaving it to the last minute can mean you miss out on the best accommodation.
So to make the process easier we’ve come up with a few things to keep in mind when searching for an awesome student house.
Who to Live With?
The best housemates won’t always be your best friends. That guy you go out with every Friday night? He’s great at a party, sure. But will he pay the bills on time? And it might turn out that the girl who’s always impeccably dressed is an absolute nightmare when it comes to the washing up.
So if you want to stay on good terms with your housemates, try to be practical when choosing who to live with.
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Finding a House
There are lots of things you should try to remember when looking for a student house. But some of the most important include:
- Look Around – Don’t just go for the first place you find! Comparing different houses will ensure you find the right place.
- Inspecting the House – Take your time over house inspections and don’t be afraid to ask questions: use a check list to cover the essential points.
- Talk to Current Tenants – If possible, try to have a quiet word with the current/previous tenants. They might know something the letting agent doesn’t want to let on…
Moving In
Once you’ve found a place to live there’s still plenty to sort out before moving in:
- Act Quickly! – Good student houses are rarely available for long! Once you’re sure you’ve found somewhere, be sure to sort out the finances and contact the landlord as soon as you can.
- Inventories – Before moving in, ask your landlord for an inventory of what is provided with the house (e.g., furniture and appliances) as this can save a lot of hassle down the line.
- House Rules – Make sure you know all of the house rules: both those in your tenancy agreement (non-smoking, no pets, etc.) and those agreed with your housemates!
Finally, try to be nice to your landlord! A good relationship with the person from whom you’re renting will make life much easier for all involved.
