Finding A Place To Live
What to look for
You want a cool house/chill-out space/place to show off to your new found friends? You don't want to make a wrong decision just because there wasn't enough room for a pool table and several stolen traffic signs. Being too hasty can result in the roof caving in or the walls falling down around you. So take your time and when viewing a house and remember to consider the following:
• Double-glazing. This is always a bonus; you'll understand when the reliable British winter climate sets in and you can save on your gas/leccy bill.
• Essentials. In the case of alcohol relief ask yourself 'Where's the nearest Off Licence/Barkeep?' And closely related to this question you should also consider 'Where's the nearest hospital?' Proximity to supermarkets can also save you money as you will be able to scavenge the reduced items at the end of the day.
• Most importantly transport. If you're living on top of a bus stop it'll mean extra minutes in bed before lectures as well as overall convenience. If you have a car then you will need to consider whether there is parking space, or whether there is adequate storage space if you have a bike.
• Facilities. Does your house come equipped with a washing machine/outlet? Laundrettes can be a bit of nightmare and are probably the main reason why students have a bit of a reputation for being smelly. Just remember to check this and the obvious, such as cookers, bathroom/shower, otherwise you might end up having to pay more to buy or rent missing essentials.
• Does it have a garden? This can be very handy for drying clothes and general lazing about come summer.
• Space. Some landlords do try to take advantage of students by cramming as many people as they possibly can into every conceivable space. Make sure that if you are going to be living with other people that you are going to be comfortable and have enough room to put your things.
• Health standards. Make sure that the room has no signs of damp or mould as this can lead to serious health problems. If you do move into somewhere that develops this problem then your landlord is responsible for sorting it out.
• Feng Shui. A really important question to ask yourself is 'does it feel right?' and see if you can visualise yourself living there for at least a year.
If you are planning to study at a university you should consider Halls
Generally, universities prioritise their allocation of university-controlled housing to first year undergraduate students. The standards of properties can vary immensely, even at a single university, but they are invariably the best/most convenient/cheapest accommodation you can find and you never have the problem of a red leckie bill landing on your doormat. You can often get a pretty good idea of which hall best suits you if you visit the university prior to making a commitment, but although universities often ask you for your preferences prior to your arrival, where you end up often seems pretty random.
Most accommodation in halls is single occupancy blocks with anything from 10-250 bedrooms (which may have a sink in the room) with shared shower/bath facilities and possibly communal lounge areas and even a laundry room. If you're lucky, there may even be a fridge in the kitchen area (otherwise, your pint of milk will sit on your window ledge next to a plastic bag containing a pair of really smelly trainers).
Occasionally, you may be double booked into one room but the situation is often resolved within weeks (some people invariably drop out, defer, rent in town etc). There are also communal rooms, where one lounge area leads off to two or more bedrooms. These can be good for freshers wanting to make friends but obviously, there's less privacy and some more independent students may find living in such conditions claustrophobic.
Most hall accommodation is catering only (ie you have to eat in the hall dining area and pay through the nose for it). There are often a number of self-catering places as well, which tend to be allocated to second or third year students who want a bit more freedom in their life (the cycle of breakfast, lunch and dinner in halls can feel over regimented at times). Rent for halls is payable each term, in advance. If you don't pay then you won't necessarily be kicked out but until you do pay you won't get your results. If you don't pay up by the beginning of the next academic year, it's unlikely that you'll be allowed to complete your degree, especially if the university thinks you've blown your grant on fags and booze rather than being a genuine hardship case.
pros and cons of halls
you will dress in a sheet, get drunk and lie on your back singing songs fromAnimal House.You will leave dirty sheet outside your bedroom and, by magic, a new one will appear. Just like that!
you will be attempting to sleep before your final exam, you will lie on your back unable to sleep while the people who have already finished get drunk and sing songs fromAnimal House.
| Pros | Cons |
| Toga parties: | Toga parties: |
| You
will be surrounded by loads of people your age
|
You
will be surrounded by loads of people your age, who
you don't like
|
| The
showers have constant hot water; the central
heating is boiling
|
The
showers only have constant hot water when someone
else is having one; the central heating will break
down in February
|
| You
can club together to buy a fridge for a few quid
each
|
Someone
will always use your milk
|
| You're
really close to the Union bar
|
You
will blow all your money at the Union bar in the
first three weeks of term
|
| Loads
of romantic opportunities
|
Loads
of mornings after
|
| You
never have to cook a meal
|
Hall
food sucks
|
| Food
fights in the first year
|
Food
fights after the first year
|
| Being
close to the university library
|
Having
to go to the university library
|
| Great
sporting programme
|
Getting
up at 9:00am the night after the Hall Ball to play
a rugby fixture
|
Social life
Obviously, your studies will expand your mind, but your social life is what you'll look back on. To make it easier to make friends, hall committees organise several calendar events such as Christmas dinners, rag week activities, Hall Balls and nights out to clubs, trips to theme parks and bowling alleys etc. All you have to do is arrive ten minutes late for the coach (everybody does) drink as much as you can afford, and then a bit more, make a hopeless pass at someone, and try not to pass out or puke up on the way back (somebody will). Try not to annoy the coach driver too much (remember you are representing that underclass known as "Bloody Students", so don't make our image any worse).
On a smaller scale, individual blocks in halls will probably organise their own parties, during which vats of local beer and a toxic vodka, red wine and cider punch will be consumed. Invariably they will have a theme that necessitates dressing up as tarts, tramps, the Roman Senate or in black bin liners. If you like cross-dressing you will be in your element.
Whether you are going to get a job or go to uni one of your first experiences of independent living may well be flat sharing
There may be times when the cons outweigh the pros, but life in bed-sit land can be lonely and renting a flat on your own can be hopelessly expensive.
Choosing a flatmate
Other than your choice of degree,
University and favourite Teletubby, choosing a
flatmate is probably the most important decision of
your academic life. You're unlikely to draw the short
straw and get a mild-mannered axe-murderer but it's
amazing how one small, irritating habit can drive you
insane over time.
A recent survey conducted by studentUK staff highlighted ten of the things guaranteed to turn you into a basket case:
• Using up the milk/marg/bread/tea/coffee and not buying any more.
• Pubic hair in the tub/ear buds by the sink/bath ring
• Not washing up/buying washing up liquid
• Not cleaning the toilet/peeing on the floor
• The phone bill
• Band practice/choice of music (and the constant loud playing of...)
• Smelly clothes around the house
• Not having the dosh to pay the rent
• Drinking all the vodka/Jack Daniel's/beer
• The flatmate's new girl/boyfriend
Short of a reference from the family doctor, how can you tell whether a prospective flat sharer will be a good flatmate?
First look at yourself. Are you tidy or messy? Noisy or quiet? An early riser or party animal? Sporty or scary?
Ask yourself what you want from a flatmate. Do you want friend or someone who'll keep themselves to themselves? Do you want someone with similar extra-curricular or academic interests as yourself, someone of a similar religious or social background, or a good cook who doesn't mind cleaning the bog?
Establish whether you want to share a flat with any of your mates. If not, or you think you'll need extra people, advertise your requirements on college notice-boards and in your Accommodation Office try and give as much detail as possible: i.e. smoking/non-smoking etc. interview as many people as you can before making a decision ask questions that might reveal other facets in someone's character check personal details: dress, fingers (does this non-smoker have nicotine stains?) do they like classical music or drum'n'bass, going out or watching TV, hoovering or dusting? Do they have a passion for kippers on Friday nights?
Be honest. Make sure they know exactly what sort of person you are and who you are looking for. Make sure they have a clear understanding of shared costs and financial arrangements in the house (such as sharing house bills) and attitudes about bringing home girl/boyfriends or having them move in.
Remember if you sign a joint contract your deposit can be used to cover outstanding rent/damage, so check all the cutlery before you kick the lazy good-for-nothing out...
deposits
More money As though you aren't going to be skint enough, you immediately get whacked for money up front by your new landlord. This is generally a months rent in advance and is worth making allowances for when sorting out your finances.
deposit terms
It's likely that you'll be asked to pay a month in advance and a deposit (anything up to a month's rent). Generally the deposit covers the following:
• the possibility that you might damage the property (in excess of wear and tear).
• that your house will need industrial cleaning after you've left it like a pigsty.
• outstanding debt including gas bills etc (but only if the clause is written in your contract).
• replacement of lost keys/change of locks if keys not returned on the day you leave.
do's and don'ts
Ask the landlord to inspect the property the month before you are moving, so that you can sort out any problems. If possible, get them to outline in writing any areas he wants you to deal with.
Defrost the fridge before you leave. Believe it or not, you can be charged £40 to have someone do it on your behalf.
Don't leave food in kitchen cupboards. You may think you're doing the new tenants a favour by leaving them half a bottle of ketchup and some salt and pepper packets nicked from Pizza Hut - get real. Your landlord will use it as excuse to call in a cleaning squad, who will charge a hell of lot more money than you'd imagine, plus 17.5% VAT on top.
Predictably, some landlords have worryingly short memories when it comes to paying deposits back, and students are often tempted to withhold their last month’s payment. Although this is understandable, it is also illegal - if you do have a problem your University Accommodation Office should be your first port of call.
It is important to pay your deposit by cheque or credit card (so you have proof of payment) and get a receipt and statement explaining what the deposit covers. Remember: if you sign a joint contract, then you will be liable for damage even if it's caused by another flatmate.
You may also have to provide deposits for telephone, gas and electricity, if you are to take on the accounts in your name.
Paper work
You will be expected to provide bank and personal references. You are also likely to be asked to sign a contract by your landlord, which will detail both of your responsibilities, the length of contract etc. Incredibly, it has been known for landlords to include such intimate (and illegal) clauses, as "Thou shalt not commit immoral acts on my living room carpet".
danger points
• you put all the owner's ugly furniture in the cellar/back garden/loft to make room for your super sexy futon and sound system, but the stuff turned all mildewy and you are liable for it.
• you don't check your responsibilities for maintaining the garden and it turns into a rain forest. You are helping restore the fragile balance of the eco-structure and your landlord rewards you with a £200 bill to get a team of forestry workers to clear it again.
• red wine carpet disasters - salt sprinkled on the wet (wine) patch could solve the problem but be warned, it can also cause a reaction which burns a hole in the carpet.
• ...talking of which, fag burns in carpets/furniture may seem trivial at the time but won't be when you're charged to get the thing replaced.
• you break something and you a) hope no one notices or b) replace it with something obviously half the price.
• if you don't like the fake Ming vase in the living room, don't use it for a goalpost in the back garden. It's much easier to ask the landlord to remove it.
• you never wash up, vacuum or dust and generally disrespect your hovel.
pitfalls
Don't be rushed into signing a contract straight away. If you're not careful, you might find yourself signing a contract making you responsible for general repairs, so read the small print. It's a good idea to get a third party to read it too, such as the University Accommodation Office or the Student Union Welfare Officer. Remember, you are in a more powerful position before you sign. You may wish for one clause to be removed or want the landlord to redecorate the kitchen or put a five-lever mortice lock on the front door. Now is the time to ask. If, after you move in, you discover some hitherto unknown fault, immediately inform your landlord by writing (and keep a copy of the letter). Otherwise you may find yourself charged for the damage when you leave.
Avoid contracts that will make you legally responsible for the whole rent should one of your flatmates leave. Of course, you're best mates now and will stick together come hell or high bath ring, but give it six months...
Unless otherwise stated all new tenancy agreements are assured shortholds. This means your landlord is legally obliged to rent you the property for at least six months (unless you break the contract) and they can't repossess the property until they've served you Notice of Seeking Possession in writing. However, it also means that you are legally obliged to pay rent during the first six months, regardless of whether you want to leave before the end of that period or not.
If your rental agreement is not an assured shorthold, then it should be an assured tenancy, a contract that either stipulates a fixed duration (a year, three months etc) or period (monthly, weekly, etc). There are specific forms for these lease agreements, available from legal stationers. Again, the landlord must give Notice of Seeking Possession.
Landlords are under no legal obligation to provide terms for tenancy (i.e. when it's from, how much it is, and when it's due) unless you request them in writing. Even then, landlords have 28 days to respond. If you don't have a statement of terms, then get one!
Ensure your landlord completes an itinerary (naming and describing the condition of each household item) before you move in and make sure it's all present and in good condition (otherwise that fag burn in the carpet may later be attributed to you).
Check meter readings prior to moving in. This is especially important if you become the bill monitor.
bills
Like buses, bills have a habit of arriving at once and are usually more expensive than you think they're going to be. If you find budgeting for bills difficult, it may be easier to arrange regular payments to spread the burden throughout the year.
Plan ahead - if you're going to split them keep a record of what YOU used to save your friendships later. bills - utilities
Checklist
Check your meter reading as soon as you arrive and let the companies know the date you moved in.
It's hard to run away from a bill. If your financial situation really is desperate you should talk to your electricity company etc, who may allow you to carry over arrears. It's also worth seeking advice from your University Welfare Officer.
Inform the utilities companies you are leaving a property two weeks before you go, and arrange for final readings. Also write to them asking for your names to be taken from the bill (and exchanged to your new address if necessary) from the day you move out.
bills - phones
Now that phone services provide itemised bills this needn't be such an argument-igniting appliance, assuming everyone's open with the phone books so the numbers can be tallied. Nevertheless, certain rules need to be enforced (like use the phone book not directory enquiries whenever you can help it; try and use phone only at cheap rates etc), and an Australian flatmate can still signal disaster.