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Need people who've been there re finding a house
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
I have been told I can't have a place in halls as I live within the local area of my university, where I start in a few weeks. At the moment I'm living with my parents but we've agreed that I'll move out and find a student house. I don't know anyone at the uni and don't know the area very well.
So from anyone who has been there and done that, can you help?
-What does an accommodation agency do and do you have to pay to use one?
-I have a wad of papers full of private accommodatopn details, but I don't understand if these are for groups of students or individuals
-If I start looking this week, would I have to start paying straight away or could I wait and move in when my course starts?
- What should I look out for when I go to view the rooms?
-Will I have to sign a contract for a minimum amount of time?
I know it's a lot of questions but understandably, I'm fairly nervous about moving to the other side of town into a house of people I don't know, who might be nutters.
So from anyone who has been there and done that, can you help?
-What does an accommodation agency do and do you have to pay to use one?
-I have a wad of papers full of private accommodatopn details, but I don't understand if these are for groups of students or individuals
-If I start looking this week, would I have to start paying straight away or could I wait and move in when my course starts?
- What should I look out for when I go to view the rooms?
-Will I have to sign a contract for a minimum amount of time?
I know it's a lot of questions but understandably, I'm fairly nervous about moving to the other side of town into a house of people I don't know, who might be nutters.
Post edited by JustV on
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Comments
If you have to go it alone without the uni's help, as in looking at adverts in windows and the like, then it's simply a matter of finding a place (and a rent) that suits you. When you find a place you want to look at, you might be as well taking along someone you know (just in case you miss something obviously wrong with the place), assuming it's just you on your own.
Things to ask: when the rent is required and how much (does it include bills?), Do you need to pay a deposit (sometimes a retainer is required if you want to keep stuff in the place over holidays). If it has gas heating or whatever, check when it was last serviced - the landlord must do this by law.
They're the main things to consider and apart from that, use your common sense to see if it's ok.
If you need to know more, just ask.
Like they /\ /\ /\ said go to your university accommodation office who should be able to give you a FREE housing list and a booklet with advice on what to look for in a house. There are various types of accommodation you could go for from bedsit to shared house, and while I know you found halls a pain last year, private accomm shared housing is often better, costs are lower as bills get split etc, and it's less lonely. The good thing about the uni accommodation list is that landlords have to fit the right criteria, which means that all relevant fire safety etc checks should have been made.
Understanding the details - they should usually state how many rooms the house has or how many rooms are up for rent. If you don't understand them - get your accommodation office to explain them.
You'll also see posters around campus at the beginning of the year with tear off numbers from students looking for more housemates.
I'd avoid agencies if possible - they are notorious for charging you vast sums of money for credit checks, references, cleaning etc.
You can move in when your course starts, but may have to pay your deposit before then, and then a weeks or months rent when you pick up your keys [depending on how often you pay it.]
You often have to sign a contract for one academic year, however someplaces may offer shorter ones (rarer). If moving in with strangers try to sign an individual contract so that you are not liable if someone ups and leaves without paying their rent.
useful articles:
finding a flat
renting - your rights
where does the cash go?
My mate wrote this (education guardian housing guide)
Hope you find somewhere nice
Susie
Legal bit: (AST= Assured Shorthold Tenancy)
Term - if an AST is for a fixed term it must be granted for a period of at least six months and the landlord cannot obtain possession (unless the tenant breaks the terms of the AST) for the first six months. Alternatively an AST can be granted for a periodic term i.e. month to month, but possession cannot be ordered by the Court within the first six months and so technically there is still a six month minimum term.
I neglected to suggest this, but putting up flyers around campus along the lines of "Flatmate seeking house to live in" wouldn't be a bad idea. I had a friend who did this and she got a nice room in a house because someone backed out at the last minute.
Good luck!
Okay, others have given good advice. I'll try and answer your questions.
1. Accommodation agencies generally have alist of properties and act as a sort of middle man between you and the landlord. Sometimes your uni has it's own accommodation agency that would be worth going to. Some accommodation agencies charge you a fee, but I think most just take some of the rent, so the rent may be higher than going direct.
2. Ring up and ask. Some landlords like to let to whole groups, others take individuals. Depends.
3. Sometimes you pay straight off, sometimes you pay reduced rate as a retainer until term starts, sometimes you dont pay at all until you move in, just a deposit. Depends on the landlord.
4. Look out for the following -
Kitchen - Is it big enough, what comes with it, enough drawers and cupboards, fridge and freezer of suitable size. Not too manky.
Lounge - Is there one, or is it a bedroom? (Quite often in student houses it will be a bedroom.)
Your room - which one would it be? How many electical points are there? Check the bed. Is there space for your stuff? Is it damp? Where are you in relation to the bathroom? If you're close to it then check how loud the toilet is from your room.
The bathroom - Is there a shower? Does everything work?
General - Parking, if you have a car. Check for single yellow lines and other odd restictions. General area, check for stuff like broken window glass on the road. How far are you from where most of your classes would be? How does the landlord want paying? What's the term of the lease? Is anyone else already in the house, if so you need to meet them first.
5. Normally the contracts are for the whole term. Most landlords who have let to students before will have reasonable letting lengths sorted and will stage payments to coincide with term times / payments etc.