The Private Rented Sector Or University Halls?

When coming to university, many students choose to stay in the university halls of residence. However, more and more students are looking to live in a a privately rented property. Like everything, they both have their advantages and disadvantages and it is all down to personal preference.

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Accommodation:

Universities will have a whole range of accommodation choices available. Each halls of residence will have a different style and if off the campus, will normally be in different locations around the city. As well as shared flats, universities will also have a variety of studio rooms available. Studios will cost a lot more money, however, if you don't like sharing with other people, this may be preferable for you.

Halls of residence also lack space as some accommodation offers very little storage. If you choose a house in the private rented sector, you are more flexible to choose a bigger property.

Halls of residence are very social; it is a great way to meet loads of new people and make new friends. However, if you would rather a quieter experience, then halls may not be for you. Living around loads of people means that there is a lot of noise and a lot of mess. Be prepared to hear parties and drunk people coming home at night. During the night there may also be an occasional fire alarm which will go off and cause everyone to be evacuated!

University halls will have on-site staff and security if you ever need assistance. Usually, only students who are living in the halls will be able to access the building by a key fob. Some students prefer having this security and like to feel safe with it being their first time away from home. On the other hand, some students do not enjoy having 24/7 security. There are rules that you will have to follow in regards to noise, visitors and parties. 

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Bills:

For many first year students, the idea of having to sort out bills can be very daunting. Because of this, many students will choose to go into halls of residence as the bills are inclusive. This gives students one less thing to worry about, especially if it is your first time away from home. However, many landlords do offer a bills inclusive package. This means that your bills are included in the rent. In the private rented sector, you will need to pay close attention to your budget for the first few months. This is so you can get a rough idea of the price that your bills will be. This means that you will need to remember to save electricity by turning the lights off and wearing extra layers!

At Bournemouth University the university halls range from £133 per week to £159 per week. In the private rented sector, the rental price can range from £350 - £580. This will depend on the size of the property, location and how well presented the property is. You also need to check the tenancy length. The majority of halls range from 40 – 42 weeks whereas in private rentals, the tenancies can be up to 1 year long. Many students prefer to have a longer tenancy as it enables them to spend the summer in the property.

 

Location:

Many students will choose their accommodation based on the location. Some universities have all of their accommodation on campus whereas other universities such as Bournemouth, have accommodation all over the city. Normally, if the halls of residence are in the city, there are normally good bus connections to get you to university. This is something that you will need to consider before you make any commitments. Living in the private rented sector, it allows you to have a greater degree of flexibility. This is because you are able to choose the region that you wish to live in. Some students prefer to be close to the university where as other students prefer to live closer to the shops and bars. 

 

 

 

If you are planning on coming to Bournemouth in the future or are already a student, sign up with us today. This will allow us to help you find your ideal accommodation in the private rented sector. We have many options available so there is bound to be one you like.  Sign up here!