Thursday 17 January 2013

Shared Student Flats Where and When to Look?

When to start looking for your student house 

So you made it through your first term at university, and now you and your new found friends have to start thinking about where to live for the next few years. It's an important decision and, as with lots of things in life, it pays to do some research and to get organised. Good student accommodation is getting snapped up earlier and earlier with every passing year, and it is not uncommon for the very best flats and houses to be booked before Christmas for the following year.


Student Accommodation
Typical Student House Living area


Where to find student lets

1. Use a reputable letting agency 
2. Check websites like gumtree 
3. Enquire with the university accommodation office

If you are looking to move away from halls of residence, the first thing is to use a reputable letting agency that is well known and well regarded in your city. A good agent will only offer accommodation that meets a certain standard, and will act as a buffer between you and the landlord. It's in their interest to help resolve any issues that either side might have. They will look after your deposit in a government approved scheme and be a point of contact for you if any problems arise.

What part of the city should you look for a student house?

You now need to decide which part of the city you and your friends want to live in. This will be your base for the next few years, and so ideally you want somewhere that is handy for the university but also close to the student union, the bars and clubs that you prefer, or the sports centre or clubs that you regularly attend. Good local supermarkets and shops are also a bonus as reducing any travel with heavy shopping bags is essential. If you want everything on the list, make sure you start looking early. 

Example of a 6 bedroom student house in Bristol
Example of a 1 bedroom student flat in Bristol