If you are a new student moving to college or university, you will be looking for accommodation. Short term apartment rentals are going to be your best option, as you might want to move on in a year’s time and you do not want to be tied down if you do not like the place you are staying.
But how can you choose the right one? We are going to give you some tips, so you know how to look for apartments.
Remain Local
The last thing you want is to be traveling miles to university every day. This is going to take up a lot of your time; the time you could be using to study and learn. So, you want to choose apartments for students that are nearby and close to your campus. This is going to avoid you having to Google ‘who can do my research paper’ online because you do not have any time. Instead, when you are only 5 minutes away from campus you can have all the time in the world to write your research paper, and you will not be stressed out about it.
The Rent and Bills
Let’s be honest; you are a student, and you do not have limitless money to waste on high rent and large bills. When you are choosing a short term room rental that is perfect for you, it has to be affordable. Think about what your budget is and whether that monthly bill is going to suit your lifestyle. You want to enjoy your student life and not be worrying about money all the time. Some rents will also include bills with the price, which can be a good option if you think you are going to use a lot of electricity throughout the day when you are not on campus.
Your Flatmates
Most of the time, you will be choosing accommodation with other students. Perhaps you already have a plan worked out with your friends. But if not, you want to know who you are sharing with. This is going to have a big impact on your university experience. In fact, it can make or break your time. So, take the time to get to know them and speak to them before you move in. This is going to give you the best chance to start off on the right foot.
The Terms and Conditions
The last thing you want to do is spend hours reading the small print and contract terms and conditions, but it is important that you do. This is going to tell you what you are allowed to do while you stay there and how long the contract is. This way, you can know when to look for apartments again next year. There will also be details about the deposit you will have to make and if you do not like the accommodation, whether you can break free of the contract. The last thing you want is to become trapped if you do not like the apartment.
Security
Wherever you choose to live as a student, you want to feel safe. This is particularly true if you have never lived away from home before. There are a lot of opportunists out there that know young people are not as responsible as they should be or that security is slack. So, check out apartments that have intercom systems, locks on the front door and security on the windows. You do not want to pay the price later on. Alarm systems are also good to deter criminals from your accommodation.
The Appliances
Most student accommodation will already have appliances for you. Of course, you want to make sure that it is the one you need. It can save you a lot of time and money if you have a washing machine already in your apartment. You will not have to go to laundry facilities all the time. Having a fridge-freezer and microwave is also going to save your money, as well as a toaster and dishwasher. This will save you having to buy one for the apartment. This is something you want to check out before you move in.
Flat Rent Prices in the United Kingdom
Location | Flat Price per month 2018 | Flat Price per month 2019 |
Edinburgh | £484 | £522 |
Durham | £530 | £569 |
Stirling | £649 | £707 |
Oxford | £566 | £672 |
Bath | £507 | £660 |
London | £810 | £872 |
Leeds | £399 | £416 |
Brighton | £468 | £563 |
Sheffield | £377 | £468 |