Uni House Hunting Hacks for Second Year

Finding your first student house is a huge step in your university journey. It’s natural to have a ton of questions about who you’ll live with, when to start looking and which area to choose.

You might have heard loads of horror stories about mould, pest infestations and landlords from hell, but don’t let that get you down. With the right prep and knowledge, you’ll be able to find the student home you deserve.

Here are our ultimate dos and don’ts to house hunting covering everything you need to know to help you make the right decisions and feel good about them.

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Do create a list of what you’re looking for

Every good hunt starts with a list. So start there.

We recommend creating one with all the things you want your dream place to be. Here are some questions you should be able to answer before you go house shopping.

• How many people will you be sharing a property with?
• Do you want to live alone?
• Will you require single or double rooms?
• Are you all willing to share bathrooms? Or do you need en-suites?
• What is your and your housemates’ monthly budget?
• Do you want your bills included, or will you pay these separately?
• Will you deal directly with the landlord, or let through an agency?
• How far are you willing to travel from your home to your lectures?
• Do you want to live in uni or private accommodation? A house, studio or a flat?

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Do shop and ask around 

Never settle for the first property that interests you. Ideally, shortlist at least three that fit your criteria. SpareRoom, RightMove and StuRents are popular sites to start your house search.

Rent

Your rent will vary depending on where you go to university. So research some areas beforehand to see what’s out there. This will help you find the best deals. 

Often, the closer to university you live, the higher your rent. If you’re planning on sharing with housemates, it’d be good if one of you drives. That way, you can live further out and grab a lift onto campus. 

If none of you drive, you’ll want to live somewhere accessible with good public transport links. No one wants to be stranded and have to spend their student loan on taxis!

Visit estate agents

Don’t feel shy about visiting the local estate agents. It’s their job to help students find the property that’s right for them.

It’s also a great opportunity to get in front of the experts themselves to ask all the questions. They know what they’re doing.

Speak to older students

You wouldn’t book a hotel without reading the reviews, would you? It’s the same with housing. If you want to get ahead, speak to older students about their house-hunting experience. They’ll have gone through it all before and can give you some good pointers. 

Here are some questions you’ll want to ask…

• Are there certain areas with cheaper housing?
• What was the landlord like? 
• How far are the shops?

Students are likely to be more honest with you. They’re not trying to sell you anything after all.

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Do book a viewing before settling on a property

We can’t say this enough.

A few online photos from 2009 won’t accurately reflect the condition of the property you could be living in. Make sure you book a viewing with the estate agent. That way, you’ll know exactly what you’re letting yourself in for. 

Viewing properties gives you insight into room size, storage space and the condition of furnishings already in the house. Plus, it’s a great time to ask questions.

For example, how much is the deposit? Is the house insulated? Whose responsibility is it to maintain the garden? Make a checklist of things you want to know so you don’t miss anything.

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Top Tip

Looking for a place to live that offers excellent value for money? Book your accommodation through Student Roost now and make your house a home in one of the UK’s major cities.

• All inclusive bills
• Free-to-use facilities
• No deposit required

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Don’t rush into it

With everyone claiming properties left, right and centre, it can be tempting to do the same. But, don’t rush things if you’re unsure about your plans.

Are you going on a year abroad? Thinking of doing a placement? If so, then it’s worth waiting before you financially lock yourself into a 12-month contract.

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Choosing your housemates

Whether that’s friends you’ve made on your course, in your halls, or just by being around, living with the friends you make during your first year can provide you with some much-needed familiarity. 

You’re going to be living with these people for a whole year, so you need to make sure you’re choosing people you want to go the distance with.

It’s quite common for students to realise they weren’t destined to live together – once they’ve already moved in. We suggest waiting until you’ve developed strong friendships and really know the people you’re living with, before committing to a house share.

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Don’t leave it too late

One of the biggest mistakes students make when looking for accommodation is:

• Rushing around trying to find people to live with
• Frantically looking for a house – only to find out the majority have been taken.

Make sure you’ve picked your housemates by the end of the first year, and start your search as soon as possible. Ideally, you’ll want to lock down your accommodation and have a contract in place before everyone breaks up for summer.

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Don’t sign contracts without reading them

Who reads the small print? In this case, you definitely want to be clear on the terms and conditions of what you’re signing up to. Housing contracts can be full of hidden clauses designed to catch you out.

Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS)

Firstly, check that your deposit is covered by a Tenancy Deposit Scheme. This essentially means that as long as you pay your rent on time and don’t wreck the property, you’ll get your deposit back at the end of your tenancy.

Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement (AST)

It’s also worth making sure that your contract type is an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement. This agreement protects you AND the landlord and outlines your responsibilities as a tenant living at the property.

Here’s what you’ll find in your AST:

• Start and end date of your tenancy
• How much rent you have to pay
• When you need to pay the rent
• Address of property
• Name and address of tenant / landlord / letting agent
• Deposit amount
• Bills to pay

If you’re unsure of something in your contract, get it checked over! Most university student unions offer these services for students. So make the most of them.it checked over! Most university student unions offer these services for students. So make the most of them.

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Now that you know how to approach finding accommodation for your second year at university, it’s time to put what you know into practice. 

Good luck!

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