How To Choose The Right Student Accommodation For You

For some of you, University will be the first time living away from home and sharing with other people. That is why it is essential that you choose the right student property for you.

 

Whether you are moving from student halls or coming straight from home, choosing the right student accommodation in the private rented sector can seem like a daunting task! You need to be sensible and find accommodation that’s both suitable and cost effective for your circumstances. Living somewhere you hate will have a serious impact on your health and your general well-being.

To help you choose the best student accommodation for you, we have put together a few points that you will need to consider.

 

 

Price:

First thing you will need to consider is what your budget actually is. If you receive a student loan each semester, it may be easier to calculate how much you will receive for each term. Once you know how much money you will be receiving each term, you will need to calculate your expenditure. This will include any money you will need for transport, your phone contract and any subscriptions you may have. You will also need to put money aside for food and household items.

You will need to minus your expenditures from the amount that you will be receiving each term. Make sure that you have some spare money. This is so you have some money to go out with your friends and can also afford to travel home to visit friends and family.

If bills are not included in the rent, then you will need to budget for them. According to the Bournemouth University website, they suggest that bills will be approximately £40 per month per person. However, this will vary depending on usage and the size of the property.

 

 

 

Size:

You will need to consider the size of the property you are looking for. The good thing about choosing student accommodation in the private rented sector, is that you can also choose who you live with. There will be a variety of student accommodation options available ranging from 2 bedroom properties up to 8+ bedroom properties. If you would rather a quieter student house, then maybe a smaller group of people would be suitable for you.

You also need to consider the size of the bedrooms. Not all bedrooms will be the same size in each property. Think whether all your belongings will be able to fit in the room without it being too crowded. More importantly, you need to ensure that you have enough room to study and to keep all your books.

 

 

 

Location:

What one student may consider as a great location, might not be so great for another student. Some students may prefer to live near the University whereas others wish to live closer to the shops and bars. The most important key factor is how far you are away from the University. If you are not in walking distance from the University, you will need to find the best transport links and whether they are reliable. This means that you will need to budget for your transport costs. Check with the University if they offer any bus passes or offer any free transport. You do not want to miss your lectures!

You will also need to check what is available in the area. Are they any shops? Are you close to bus stops? Are you close to the gym? If no one in your household has a car, you need to ensure that you can easily visit the shops for essentials.

Always take a look on Google Maps to find what is in the local area.

 

 

Decoration:

For some people, choosing the right Student accommodation will be down to the decoration and how modern the property is. You will realise that every student property is different, and you may find the more modern the property, the more rent you may have to pay. If you find a property you like, you will need to act fast as the majority of student properties are secured by students in January. This is because students want to find the nicest house to live in, so will begin to look as soon as they can. If you decide to choose your student accommodation nearing the start of the semester, you may find that the more outdated properties are the only ones available.

 

 

 

 

Top Tips:

Try and view the properties before you put a holding payment down. Most students sign up for the first house they come across – don’t be afraid to look around a few before you make a decision. Remember, you are the one that has to pay to live there so you don’t want to end up hating it.

 

If you think you have found the one, DON'T HANG ABOUT! Someone else may also have their eye on the property and may secure it before you do.