You’ve completed your UCAS application, excited about the next step that awaits you and all of the potential that it could bring but then you start to wonder about the next decision I will need to make and initially it seems quite daunting. Questions start to race through your mind. where will I live while I’m at Uni? How do I find somewhere? When should I start looking and applying? In this post we’ll have a look at some of the options there are and what the process is.
When should you start looking for student accommodation?
It’s never too early. Look at what student accommodation is being offered when you begin researching where to study. Check out the university's website as they will likely have photos, descriptions, floor layouts and even interactive tour videos of their halls of residence. With so many options to choose from it can seem like quite a bewildering choice. It is worth doing your research in advance so that you can make your application as soon as they open. Accommodation is usually allocated on a first-come, first-served basis – and some unis can't guarantee all first-year students a place in halls.
When you start looking at accommodation options offered by the uni you want to go to, there can be a huge temptation to just go straight for the halls with the biggest bedrooms, the ensuite bathrooms or the ones that provide you with 2 meals a day. If you do that you could be missing out on one of the other options which may suit you better. Take your time and consider these before you decide. Consider the costs and benefits of each option before making your final decision, would you like living there?
Consider the following:
• Do you want to live in halls or in a house?
• Do want to live on or off campus?
• How many people do you want to share with?
• Do you want to be self-catered or catered?
• Do you have a budget?
• Do you want to be able to stay there in the holidays?
Many first-year students find that halls of residence provide the ideal place being close to campus but there are other options. In general, there are four main options. You can live:
• in university-managed accommodation (typically halls of residence)
• in privately owned halls of residence
• with other students in a privately rented house or flat
• at home.
Halls of residence
If you decide that the halls of residence are where you would like to be for your first year, you'll find that you can usually start your accommodation application once you've accepted an offer on a course. Alternatively, get in touch with your university's accommodation office, and never be afraid to ask questions.
Universities often have a deadline for applying for accommodation that’s well ahead of your start date, sometimes even as early as the beginning of August, so don't leave it too late. You will need to apply online putting down a number of preferences -your preferred accommodation as well as your preferred type of room-standard, ensuite, catered etc.
Halls of residence are large blocks of flats that house hundreds of students: student accommodation is a great way to meet new people. Each student flat usually has 6 to 8 bedrooms, with a shared kitchen and bathroom though ensuites are becoming more common. It is an ideal place to get to know people as you don't get to choose who lives in the flat with you. Usually located on or near' campus they are convenient being near to the library and other student facilities. Halls serve as a brilliant halfway house towards becoming independent. Utilities are put together and are included in your contract price, so you don't need to worry about budgeting for different bills
You can choose whether you want to be in catered accommodation, which may be handy if you're not very good at cooking. The downside to this though, is that it is more expensive, and you would still be paying for it even if you went out for a meal with friends.
Living in halls in your first year is a very good way to discover who you would want to live with if you go into shared accommodation in your second year. They provide ideal socialising opportunities to find next years housemates They often have their own sports teams and social events which makes for a great social life. They can provide a good steppingstone between living at home and living independently. There can be some downsides to living in halls though. They are very competitive, and you may not get your first choice. With so much going on they’re not the place to be if you like peace and quiet. Some of them come with very strict rules with everyone being penalized if they are broken.
Private rented accommodation.
This could be privately run halls of residence or a room in a flat or house run by a landlord.
Private halls are generally run to make a profit so can be more expensive than university halls of residence. However, as a result you can expect to get higher quality facilities and extra benefits. They may include private kitchens, cinema spaces, dining areas and maybe studio apartments. Some unexpected perks have rumored to be a grand piano in a private halls in Nottingham and surfboard renting service in Bournemouth.
There is no fixed deadline for applying for private accommodation though the housing market may move faster in some areas than others. This accommodation will only ever be found off campus. This can have its benefits though, as private housing is often cheaper than halls of residence.
With private accommodation you get a longer contract, usually 52 weeks and can have more choice where to live. Though they are further from campus you will find that the popular student areas will have good transport links as well as being close to shops, bars and food outlets. You will most likely need to pay a higher deposit than for university halls and it is strongly advised that you carefully check your tenancy agreement as they can be difficult to get out of once signed.
Check with your landlord whose responsibility it is if an appliance like the fridge breaks down. The landlord is required by law to use a tenancy deposit protection scheme and the local council can insist on repairs if your landlord doesn't maintain reasonable standards. You will need to budget for all bills, sorting out the payments for utilities, Wi-fi, contents insurance and a TV licence. As long as everyone in the house/flat is a full- time student you will not have to pay any council tax.
Living at home
If you have chosen to study locally this might be an option for you. This will save a lot of money and there is no stress in having to move to live with people you don't know. There are downsides to this option though, as you are even further removed from student life and activities. This can make it more difficult to get to know people so you will need to make more of an effort either in lectures or joining sports or social activities.
There is one more option that has grown in popularity recently and that's parent purchase. where parents purchase a house or flat and act as landlords for you and a number of other students. This can make financial sense as parents will ensure that you are living in a well-kept environment, making sure the property is maintained. The rent will most probably be cheaper, and they may let you redecorate to your taste. If, however, your relationship with them became difficult it would have an effect on your life back at home. They may also decide to visit without any warning which could prove awkward.
