Student Living in the UK – What You Need to Know and What to Expect
If you are new to student life and this is your first time away from home then you may need some advice on what to expect from student living accommodation. Many universities have insufficient accommodation to accommodate all first year students in halls. You should ask to see the facilities in halls as this will give you an indication of what to expect from student lets. You may not get floor to ceiling windows and period features with brand new oak doors, for example, but the property should be damp and mould free and secure with fully functioning kitchen equipment.
Take Someone With You
Unscrupulous landlords have seen student lets as a way of getting a decent rent for substandard accommodation. Most students should expect to have their own rooms while kitchen, bath and living room accommodation are shared. When you go to view a property, if you can, take a parent or other appropriate adult with you when you go to view a property. Don’t go alone, if no adult is available then look at properties with your mates and ask to see the kitchen equipment working. Some landlords will include a television in the property while others will not, either way it will be the students’ responsibility to pay the licence fees while they are in the property.
When you go to look at a property watch out for damp spots on ceilings and walls as this could indicate either a leaking roof or a failed damp course. If you do find structural problems then ask the landlord if they will be dealt with before you move in. If there is no washing machine at the property then try to establish where the nearest laundrette is, you might also want to know the property’s proximity to supermarkets and other facilities.
Look at University Approval Lists
Getting a property as close to the university campus as possible will save you money in bus fares and petrol costs. An increasing number of universities now keep a list of recommended student lets and landlords and that is the best place to begin your search for somewhere to live. Some students will be luckier than others and find a property with solid oak doors.
If more than three of you will be sharing the property then your landlord should have a licence for his or her property. Licences place certain requirements on landlords and if they fail to manage the property in the expected manner you can request the local authority to remove their licence.
While there are frauds and scam artists everywhere, most landlords of student lets recognise their responsibility to provide a habitable property and to deal with any problems as they occur. It’s a good idea to set up a separate account into which you all pay your share of the rent and utility bills. Students are exempt from council tax but you may need to show your exemption certificate to the relevant authorities. Student living should be fun, something that you remember for the rest of your life, so take good care when choosing your accommodation.