Top four things to look out for in your next student accommodation
Whether you’re moving in with mates, living it up alone or looking for an affordable share with strangers – choosing your student accommodation can be daunting. Everything from location to the local amenities and how many bathrooms are on offer can play a part in your decision-making process, leaving little room for error, because once you sign on the dotted line there’s often no going back.
So, to help – we’ve put together a brief guide on four of the most important factors to look out for when picking out your student accommodation.
#1 Is it big enough for everyone?
If you’re planning to move in with other people, the last thing you want is to find yourself stuck living in each other’s pockets. There may be a bedroom each, but what about kitchen space, and most importantly, bathroom facilities!
If sharing a loo isn’t for you, making sure your new accommodation offers more than one bathroom should be at the top of your priority list. So, make sure you look at the property in person or have access to a really in-depth brochure of the layout and facilities available.
#2 Does it lend itself to work?
If you’re returning to university during the national lockdown, the chances are that once you reach your room, you won’t be leaving it anytime soon. With that in mind, you want to feel confident that your space offers a quiet, spacious place to work. Is there a desk? Do you have access to good lighting? These things are important, especially if you’re likely to do a lot of your studies inside.
#3 Access to white goods
This one may sound like a no brainer, but you’d be surprised how often student accommodation comes with no or minimal white goods. You may feel like you’ve packed everything you need and then some, but if you get there to find there is no fridge, washing machine or freezer – you’ll soon regret choosing your new digs.
Our advice would be to read up thoroughly and ask all the questions before you make any commitments. It may be extremely cheap, which is usually a red flag – so ask, and if they aren’t supplied, consider if this will impact how enjoyable your time will be whilst living there. If you are in halls or in a large building check for a commercial washing machine to ensure it can handle the large loads and won’t break down.
#4 Your landlord’s rep!
You could have the most luxurious, flashiest student digs in town, but if your landlord is neither use nor ornament, you’re unlikely to feel the benefits of your fancy pad once something goes wrong. If you’re opting for an independent landlord, it can be beneficial to do your research to see if there has been any feedback from previous tenants.
It’s a well-known fact that the best accommodation gets snapped up quickly, so getting the ball rolling early is your best chance for success.
