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Many students choose to have their own flats. They juggle the responsibilities of working while trying to complete their degrees. A dorm is undoubtedly a more affordable option, but there’s not much privacy. Living in an apartment means not having to sacrifice any habits or belongings because of lack of space. If you’ve decided you want to live off-campus, good for you. Once you have a pretty good idea of what your ideal living arrangement looks like, you can reach out to private landlords and letting agencies to find the perfect student home like the Quad at York.
Where you’ll live (and who you’ll live with) will have a great impact on your quality of life and experience during your time studying, so don’t take the decision lightly. Competition can become intense very quickly. Start house hunting ahead of time and calculate your budget. Figure out how much cash you’ll have access to over the year and take into consideration any grants or funds you might receive. Don’t rush into any decision. If your initial plans fall through, something better is just around the corner.
When you’re viewing a student home, it’s worth taking the time to search the property and make sure everything is alright. To find a property, you may need to use an agent specialising in lettings and rentals for students. Anyway, take a deep breath and take into account the following.
Make Sure Location Is at The Top of Your List
Choosing the right student home for you involves making some tricky decisions, including the location of your residence. If you move to a place that’s far away from university, you struggle to make it to lectures and classes on time. Consider how close the flat is to university and how long it’ll take you to get to different places. It would be nice to wake up a little bit later in the morning and take a stroll down the street to class. It’s recommended to get a bike. This way, you can control the amount of time it takes to get around.
No matter how great a student home is, if it’s going to take you a three-hour journey to get to your lectures, then it’s not the right place for you. According to the experts, the selection of a flat should go well beyond financial considerations. You must take into account convenience, shopping, and transportation. Before deciding on a student home, take note of public transport stops/stations/terminals on Google Maps and how long it’ll take you to get to the university. The closer you are to campus, the better.
Look For Signs of Damp and Mould
There are certain things you shouldn’t compromise on when choosing a flat. Damp and mould are some examples. You’ll have respiratory problems, allergies, respiratory infections, or asthma. Damp and mould can even affect the immune system. Damp is caused by excess moisture and can lead to significant growth of mould, which takes the form of little black dots on the walls, window frames, furniture, and floors. The measures available to the landlord or the managing agent depend on the cause of the dampness. If it’s the result of structural issues, the only solution is to carry out building maintenance.
When you’re looking around for potential property, take your time. A damp problem can be identified by signs such as a distinctive musty smell, water droplets on walls, rotting woodwork, and excessive condensation on windows. In addition, you’ll want to check for signs of mould. If you happen to notice dark-coloured spots on porous surfaces or signs of water intrusion, be prepared for danger. Be wary if you start having symptoms like sneezing, itchy eyes, trouble breathing, or skin rashes. Simply painting isn’t going to solve the problem. The moisture problem must be corrected and the mould removed.
Check The Property for Potential Pest Problems
Bigs and other pests can make their way into the student home. Pest problems need to be handled right away, so they don’t become bigger issues. The last thing you want is to move into a flat and discover that you have to put up with unwanted guests. If you spot any, let the landlord and the agency know about it. Needless to say, you should move on to the next property. When you first step inside the flat, let your nose tell you if something is wrong. You’ll be able to detect the odour of a pest infestation.
Most importantly, keep an eye out for spots. Bugs and rodents poop. It usually looks like tiny pellets. Of course, larger creatures produce larger poop. If you see brown sports in and around the cabinets, that can come from cockroaches. Larger droppings may indicate mice and rats. To have peace of mind, ask the landlord what plan they have for dealing with pests in general. If they fail to understand the severity of the problem, you can be sure you can’t count on them if something happens. It’s likely that the landlord is counting on you to solve the pest problem.
Ask The Landlord If the Home Is Safe and Secure
Unfortunately, students are the most targeted group by burglars. Thieves look for laptops and gadgets on the property. With students sharing a house, there are several domestic goods that burglars can sell quickly. This is why you should take security into consideration when viewing a student home. Make sure the doors and windows have quality locks and ask the landlord if the place has a burglar alarm. It’s the responsibility of the landlord to provide a flat that’s safe and secure for tenants to live in. Even if the rental has a burglar alarm, insist that the locks are changed before you move in.
Last but not least, factor in fire safety. The disaster caused by a fire can harm both the property and the residents. The landlord should make sure a fire alarm is installed in an effective way to protect you from carbon monoxide poisoning. Be on the lookout for faulty electrical sockets and loose/exposed cables. If an electrical fire starts, it’s hard to put it out. it’s much more dangerous and destructive than other types of fire.
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