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Ask any recent graduate about their experience renting student housing and you’ll probably be told a horror story.
Perhaps they had a landlord who made up damage so he could refuse to give their deposit back. Perhaps they found rats in the kitchen. Perhaps they moved in with a boyfriend only for him to cheat on them, dump them, and start bringing his new girlfriend into their house for dates.
Moral of the story? Having to live somewhere awful for a year really, really sucks. So, before you sign up for the first house you see, ask yourselves these questions:
1. Can I Live With My Chosen Roommates?
Sure, you became bessies on the first day of Freshers and share a love of late-night Dominoes and Orange is the New Black, but if the dirty mugs they leave all over their bedroom in halls drives you round the bend then you may want to consider how your friendship will fare when you’re sharing the same frying pans.
Everyone has their own living habits, and some people just aren’t compatible together. Before you sign on the dotted line, have a conversation with your chosen roommates about their expectations regarding cleaning rotas and having house parties every other night. If their way of living sounds like your own personal hell, being their roommate is guaranteed to lead to arguments.
2. How Much Is Everyone Going To Pay?
Rent is expensive. Even outside London it’s going to swallow up most of your maintenance loan, so it’s crucial to work out both what you can afford and what proportion of your money you’re willing to put towards housing. If you need support from parents or a part-time job, make sure you have it lined up before committing to anything!
Having worked out your own financial perimeters, ensure all your future housemates are on the same page. Chances are you’ll all have to compromise, so think about your own priorities. If you absolutely must have a big room, consider paying a greater share of the rent to bring those larger houses into everyone’s price bracket.
Warning: if you do decide to split the rent unevenly, make sure everyone has committed to the agreed situation (preferably in writing) before you sign a contract.
3. Is the Letting Agency or Landlord Dodgy?
Bad news guys: fresh-faced young students like you are the perfect target for nefarious estate agents and landlords.
Most universities will have an approved estate agency which they can point students in the direction of: use them. If you do decide to use a different firm, or deal directly with the landlord, always do your research.
Look for any sneaky hidden fees smuggled into a contract. And talk to the previous tenants. Ask them if the landlord was contactable, dependable, and reasonable with things like returning deposits.
4. Have I Looked For Damp, Rats and Other Problems?
Student houses tend to be pretty grimy, but at a bare minimum they should be hygienic and safe. If you don’t know how to spot damp or faulty wiring, make sure you Google it before you look around a place! There’s no shame asking mum and dad to pop up to have a look either; they’ll have bought or rented houses before, so will have a better idea of what to expect.
Always take your time to check a house thoroughly. Remember that landlords who are pushing you to sign a quick deal are probably hiding something.
5. How Will You Get to Campus?
Remember what Channel 4 taught us: location, location, location! No matter how great the house you’ve found is, if every lecture you attend is going to require a three-hour hike each way then it’s not the house for you.
Find out where the nearest public transport stop is and Google Maps how long it will take to get between your front door and your lecture hall. (Check the timings for the town centre, your workplace and anywhere else you travel to frequently too!)
The closer you can be to campus the better. When exam season kicks into gear and you need to pull all-day cramming sessions in the library, you’ll really appreciate being able to crash into bed within twenty minutes. Trust us.
6. Has Someone Else Checked Your Contract?
Remember that renting a house is a legal contract and you can be forced to comply with whatever terms and agreements you sign to, no matter how unreasonable they may seem. So send a copy to your parents or another trusted adult to check over (bonus points if they have any legal training).
It might seem excessive, but if you get a couple months into a lease and come home to find yourself knee-deep in water because the washing machine exploded, you’ll be grateful that at least your letting agreement is watertight!
Beth Leslie writes graduate careers advice for Inspiring Interns, a graduate recruitment agency specialising in matching candidates to their dream internship. Check out their graduate jobs London listings for roles or, if you’re looking to hire an intern, have a look at their innovative Video CVs.
