There are too many students who end up in costly traps when renting. Avoid costly surprises before you sign a contract with our suggestions.
According to our National Student Accommodation Survey, one in five students think their uni home is poor value for money.
Make sure you resist the craze of house hunting and look at homes carefully. This is your chance to make an informed choice and to avoid the expense of living in a location you don’t like.
Yes, there’s plenty to consider from deposits to damp and bus stop locations, it is impossible to be too thorough in your research. However, our suggestions below will help you make your life easier.
Where to look for student homes
Local student leasing agencies are the best place to start in the search for housing for students at uni. Some students prefer dealing directly with the landlord.
There’s a layer of security when you choose to use an agency as they’ll be a middleman between you and your landlord. In theory, this will ensure that the entire tenancy agreement is in accordance with the law. However, remember that the fees could be more expensive.
If you’re thinking of making the move to become a landlord make sure you check with the accommodation services at your university first. They may provide a directory of accredited landlords in your area.
Questions to ask when viewing the property
Here are the top questions to ask during a visit to an uni-related flat or house:
Are bills included?
Is there a Gas Certificate?
What’s the deal with What is Energy Performance Certificate?
Is there a reduction for renting during summer?
How do I deposit money and what is the scheme for deposit?
When does the deposit have to be paid?
How do we get our deposit back after the time of the end of the tenancy?
Have you got an inventory of your belongings? What furnishings and appliances are included?
Are there car parks or bike storage available?
Do you have a template tenancy agreement we could see?
Are there any additional or agency costs?
We’ll cover all the things you should consider when you are looking at one of the student houses or flats below.
What should you look out for when visiting a student house
Visit this website for student accommodation Leicester.
Here are 10 key things to keep an eye on while viewing a home:
Damp
Regulations on the standards of rented housing are improving, but our recent accommodation survey revealed 36% of students have lived in homes that were damp.
Don’t be fooled into thinking damp looks disgusting. It also smells disgusting and can damage your furniture and clothes and create serious health problems (especially when you have asthma, hayfever or other conditions which can affect the way you breathe).
When viewing a house inspect all ceilings and walls, particularly at the corners of windows, in corners or behind cupboards. Look out for flaking paint or wallpaper or black mouldy patches, as well as the smell of musky. These are all indications also.
If you are moving in and discover that your landlord hasn’t resolved your damp issues, you should do some research on your rights because you could be legally able to sue the landlord.
Pest-related problems
Infestations are a different issue at student residences. Common pests include mice, fruit flies and slugs. pigeons, cockroaches and sometimes even rats.
It’s fair to say that this is often due to previous tenants leaving food and overflowing bins lying around. But, you shouldn’t be paying to cover someone else’s mistakes.
Do not be afraid to inspect your kitchen cabinets or work surfaces as well as around bins. Look for traps, droppings and slug tracks.
On the top floor, look out for pigeons settling in the attic. They can be very, very irritating.
The property’s location
All of us know just how crucial location is when choosing the place to live. The less time it takes to get out of bed and get to your lectures, the better, right?
If a property near the university is a little too pricey, it’s important to know how far properties are from good transport connections.
However, proximity to the university (or the possibility of getting to university) isn’t the only aspect to think about when looking at areas. When traveling to the show, keep an eye out for local services like supermarkets, newsagents, doctors and pubs.
Security and safety
Unfortunately, the crime levels in areas with a high percentage of students tend to be high. Opportunists know that young people coming home drunk at night tend to leave the doors and windows open or forget to check that their keys are in the door of their front (we’ve had it all).
Security is something that all students must take into consideration when viewing a property. Check if the property has an alarm for burglars, and check that the doors are properly secured. Be sure that the main door to the building is secured entry points, too.
If you’re concerned about security, make sure to mention it at your rental property’s owner. They’re not looking for any break-ins too, which is why they’ll be happy to improve locking mechanisms and points of entry.
If you aren’t familiar with the area enough, conduct some investigation to find out how safe it is. houses that are situated on main roads that are well-lit tend to be the most secure. Quiet areas may appeal to students, but they do have disadvantages when it comes to crime. However, wherever your home is you live, follow our advice for keeping it safe from burglars.
Also, remember to check that the property has working fire alarms and extinguishers as well as fire blankets. In addition, if you’re an HMO (house with multiple occupations) There must be designated emergency exits.
If you’ll be living in an apartment with three or more students, your landlord will have to adhere to strict HMO rules. Although it’s legally binding it can be hard to implement. They’re in place to protect your security and your comfort. It is best to research on what they involve on the internet or ask for your council’s advice.
White goods and appliances that are electric
Don’t be afraid to check if appliances are adequate and functional. Make sure to know what’s covered in the tenancy contract and inventory and inventory, too. For instance, the washing machine probably will be included, however the microwave might belong to the current tenants.
If there’s any issue take note of it to the letting agent or landlord. If needed, add some additional words added to the tenancy agreement which guarantees that the landlord will take care of these issues before you move in.
It’s also worth making sure that there are enough appliances to cater for the whole group. If you’re moving in as a group of six and there’s only one fridge-freezer then this won’t work.
Also, be wary of any suspicious-looking plug sockets and loose/exposed cables. These are extremely hazardous and must be taken care of before you make your move.
The water supply
If you have a group of students using bathrooms several times a day, low water pressure will not be a great thing for the household. While watching make sure the faucets get an easy turn to ensure there’s no more than a small drop.
It is also possible to check the flush on your toilet to make sure it’s working as it should.
In the meantime you should be looking for areas of dampness or leaks. Water damage can be extremely expensive and is also a risk.
Furniture and fittings
Like we said, be sure that you have a clear idea of what’s included in the inventory and what’s not. A nice leather sofa might be the selling point, however it could be gone before you even move in.
It’s also important to note that some estate agents suggest that landlords renting to students must give each tenant a suitable desk and chair (if they market the property as a house for students).
If you are able to, also check mattresses for broken springs. They could become dangerous and uncomfortable over time.
Check that the house is well-insulated
Everybody knows that energy costs are among the highest costs as a student (if you don’t have them included in your rent). Making sure your house is well-insulated can result in a difference of PS100s on your bills throughout the year.
Your main concerns should be double-glazed windows, securing doors, a good heating system, and the absence of drafty places – these are easy to verify.
Make sure to feel the walls in the house, too. If they’re cold it’s an indication that insulation isn’t as good (and could eventually lead to dampness within your walls). Conducting these tests will help you save money on your bills for energy.
Examining the roof for insulation is a little harder due to the fact that it requires going to the loft. The best option is to just ask the owner how well the insulation is.
There’s also no harm in having a look at your roof from outside to see if any tiles are missing. If there are, this can lead to leaks all through the year.
Beware of freebies and tricks
There are landlords who offer freebies’, such as an enormous TV or no utility bills for the entire year, to lure the tenant in. Be cautious of these kinds of offers. While they may appear to be great deals however, the landlord could be using these extra frills to justify renting the property at a higher price.
It’s not that this is the norm however. You just have to be aware. A nice TV is all great and all, but when it adds more than about PS400 on your annual rental, you’ll be better off buying your own.
Contact the current tenants
Nobody is more knowledgeable of what a house is and how it feels to live there than its current tenants. They’re more likely to provide an honest and accurate assessment, as they’ve no gain (or lose) by telling you anything other story.
It is possible to gain an knowledge by asking one question: “What are the best and worst aspects of this house? “.
If the landlord’s not over your shoulder, they might alert you to something the landlord might have overlooked or is trying to cover up. If they seem happy and content, that’s the best proof you can obtain.
As the occupants of this student home of horrors found out after speaking to former tenants following their move in, chatting with them prior to moving in can save you some stress in the future.
Make sure to take photos and videos during viewings to gather an opinion from family members or friends. This will help yourself with making choices in the future.