Student Accommodation: What to Look for When Choosing a Place to Live

If you’re on your way to study at college or university, congratulations! You’ve entered a new, exciting chapter in your life, with many opportunities and challenges that will prepare you for the world of work and life in general.

If you’re moving to a new city or want to move out of your family home, it’s crucial to ensure you’re picking the right accommodation for your needs. The task can seem daunting with many options available, so it’s worth considering all factors to ensure you’re making an informed decision.

In this article, we’ll look at some of the most common to help you pick the accommodation that’s right for you.

When to apply for student accommodation 

With a whole new group of students looking to move into your area of study (and some looking for new accommodation who are already there), competition is understandably fierce.

So, when it comes to applying for student accommodation, the answer is ASAP!

Even if you don’t have an official offer, it’s worth researching to see what’s available to set budget expectations and location preferences, just to ensure you’re not going in blind!

Universities and colleges may have listings available, but if you’re looking to rent privately, it’s best to keep your ear to the ground as early as possible, as move-in dates won’t be as uniform as they will be with student-specific accommodation.

Costing your student accommodation

Unsurprisingly, cost is one of the first things we consider when choosing accommodation. While you will likely have a pre-determined budget in place (and it’s important to stay within your means), it’s essential to be mindful of the various factors that can affect a room or property’s overall cost.

What may seem like a good deal on the surface may conceal a myriad of expensive or hazardous issues underneath. So, while there are no ‘good’ or ‘bad’ costs, the quality of flats can vary dramatically. Therefore, it’s best to determine your non-negotiable features before setting a particularly rigid budget.

So, with that in mind, what are the most important features of a flat and its purchase that you should consider?

Aspects to consider when choosing student accomodation

One of the most important things for students to look for when choosing a place to live is a quality landlord, letting agency, or student accommodation company.

Private rental

Many things determine quality in a landlord or letting agency, but primarily, they should be law and HMO-compliant, communicative, and willing to maintain the property correctly to maintain a decent standard of living.

While you may find better deals, more varied leases, and more varied locations when renting privately, you may run the risk of a more significant variance in landlord attentiveness and, in turn, quality of accommodation.

Student accomodation

Suppose you are seeking a more standardised accommodation experience. In that case, many student accommodation providers in university cities will offer an all-inclusive price and are more likely to keep up with the demand for higher use among larger groups of students.

Indeed, students looking for more of the ‘student experience’ may also prefer this type of accommodation for being amongst more of their peers.

At the same time, private renting may suit those looking for a more relaxed experience or would be happy to share with just one or two people.

Hygiene, safety and upkeep

As hinted earlier, a property’s cleanliness and general standard of upkeep will depend primarily on the landlord’s level of dedication to maintenance, but can also depend on the age and quality of the building.

If you are interested in a particular property, but want to make sure it’s safe to live in, the best thing to do is arrange an in-person viewing, or at the very least refrain from signing off on a property until you have been able to visit the property, as although virtual viewings are increasingly common, they do not allow for a truly comprehensive understanding of the quality of a property.

When conducting a viewing, some things to look out for when reviewing a property include:

1. Quality of appliances

Look for exposed or damaged wiring and well-worn appliances. Using damaged equipment may be directly harmful due to electric shocks or may cause fires.

2. Signs of dampness and mould

Signs of mould may be hidden behind cisterns, on the ceiling, or covered by furniture.

Getting rid of mould permanently can be tricky and cause significant health issues, so apply diligence when checking a property (within the constraints of social etiquette, of course).

3. Quality of furnishings

While it’s common for flats to come with furnishings and to be well-used, it’s worth ensuring that they remain usable and are not a safety hazard, e.g. exposed mattresses or couch springs.

4. Windows

If they are single-glazed, this may mean that the insulation is poor and that heating the property will be significantly more expensive, offsetting what may otherwise be a good deal.

5. Pests

While certain pests are unavoidable in large cities, being able to spot pests or evidence of their activity in the form of nests or droppings should be a red flag.

6. Overall building quality and safety

While this may be harder to gauge, determining how safe you feel when entering a building is essential.

What are the neighbours like? What security systems are in place? Are you near roads with high traffic? How much ambient noise is there at any given time?

The impact of these issues may not be instantly apparent, but try your best to imagine living in the accomodation’s surroundings.

Amenities & Location

Student accommodation is your home away from home, so while you might not have everything you’ve had at your parent’s house, it’s important to have the foundational basics to allow you to focus on your studies and thrive.

Amenities to consider

Starting with the bare necessities, ensure your space has a good-quality bed and mattress, is secure and safe with good-quality locks, and has solid internet access for those last-minute essay deadlines.

Other time-saving, nice-to-have amenities include a washing machine and communal spaces for unwinding or studying.

Distance from your university or college isn’t the only factor to consider. It’s also worth checking nearby amenities such as shops (and their opening hours), laundrettes if necessary, or sports and leisure facilities (although these may already be available on or near campus).

Location

While your immediate surroundings are important to consider, location relative to your place of study is also a key factor, and one of the easiest ways to determine if a property is for you is simply commuting to your study location. Is it busy enough to be safe all day or night? Or is it too busy? Is it walkable, or is public transportation available?

If it’s slightly further out, can you see yourself travelling there on a rainy or cold day? A property far from the uni may be cheaper, but this distance may incur unexpected transport costs.

This distance is also worth considering in relation to where family and friends live and to where you work or would like to work if you choose to do so while studying.

Storage options

Finally, we come to storage, which can be tricky depending on your chosen location. Storage may be more of an open-ended issue for those who prefer private accommodation, but for student-specific accommodation, you may not have access to more than a modest wardrobe and cupboard.

This lack of storage space can make things tricky; whether you have lots of clothes, your hobbies require a lot of equipment, you commute by bike, or you live far away from/don’t have the option to keep your belongings at a parent’s house, you may run out of space very quickly.

Having all your new belongings in your new home would be ideal, but if this isn’t possible within your budget or If you’re not keen on the idea of streamlining your belongings, using self-storage can be an affordable option to keep your belongings safe and secure, and available whenever you need them.

If you’d like to know more about this option, check out our student FAQ’s blog to learn more. Or, if you’d like to get started and take advantage of our student offer, click here.