3 steps to house hunting

It’s ideal to begin looking for housing in January to prepare for September, your next academic year.

Staying where you are

If you already live in off-campus accommodation and would like to stay in the same property, then you can sign for another year but don’t forget to get your contract checked again just in case anything has changed.

Find a new place

If you are looking for a new property, you’ll be able to begin your research at the Housing Fair which usually takes place before the end of February. We’ll be able to advise you before you meet with landlords and start viewing properties.

Please don’t panic that there won’t be any good properties left, we can assure you that there is plenty of accommodation within the local area and you’ll be able to find something that suits your budget and needs. 

Who do you want to live with?

First things first, you need to decide whether you want to live alone or with friends, but really consider if you can get along if you are together 24/7. People may have annoying habits that will get on your nerves – maybe they’re messy or noisier than most. You may be able to put up with some things occasionally, but all the time they can cause problems and remember it’s difficult to get out of a contract once you’ve accepted it. 

Location, Location, Location

Think about what area you want to live in and what suits you best. Do you want to be close to university with a regular bus service, or a bit further afield to be closer to the bigger town? Just remember to take travelling times and cost of transport into account, as well as your rent. For some people location is more important than the property type – all areas are different.

Decide what’s most important to you

There are lots of things to consider including:

• Costs – travel costs and utility bills.
• Transport – do you need to rely on a bus, so is a bus route near? If you have a car, does the property have parking?
• Do you need a parking permit?
• Communal space – lounge area or large kitchen.
• Located in town or further away?
• Type of accommodation – house share or purpose built private hall.
• Check out the commute – some local villages will require you to change buses which will increase travel costs and time.

Living with others – what to think about

• How noisy are you?
• Are you a social butterfly or prefer to stay at home?
• What length contract do you want/need?
• Parking – are there costs?
• Do you want to live with all girls, all boys or mixed?

Looking for a roommate?

A private hall of residence may be the answer and there are several to choose from locally or you can look for housemates via: keelestudentpad.co.uk. You can post on the message board to share that you’re looking for a flat mate/s. Also, many landlords will let rooms on an individual basis.

There are various ways to find off campus accommodation:

Keelestudentpad – keelestudentpad.co.uk

This is our very own property search engine where local landlords and some letting agents advertise properties or rooms. We only deal with reputable landlords who are accredited by a local or UK-wide landlord accreditation scheme, like the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) or the Private Rented Sector Scheme (PRSAS).

Studentpad shows you different properties including their location, facilities, rent charges and photos. You can also check reviews from previous tenants who lived at the property.

If a property is on this list, you know that:

• It has valid Gas Safety, Fire Safety and Electrical Safety Certificates.

• It has an Energy Performance Certificate.

• Is is accredited by a local or UK-wide landlord accreditation scheme, like the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) or the Private Rented Sector Scheme (PRSAS). 

Local letting agents

Letting agents manage properties for private landlords, they collect the rent and manage the tenancy, but beware as sometimes there are extra fees payable to the letting agent so check this out beforehand. If you think the fees are unreasonable, speak to ASK at the Students’ Union: keelesu.com/advice.

Use agents that are registered with professional bodies such as ARLA (Association of Residential Letting Agents) and NALS (National Approved Letting Scheme).

Housing Fair

The Students’ Union run a Housing Fair at the end of January every year. They invite landlords who you can chat to, view properties and compare prices etc. The Student Accommodation team will also be on hand to help you.

Be aware!

We recommend that you NEVER contact companies or individuals who leave flyers around or put up posters. There is no way of knowing if these are reputable or accredited landlords. There is more than enough private accommodation in the local area, including house shares, private halls and studio flats – ranging from different budgets.