Whatever your preferred living arrangement (a shared house or flat, student accommodation, or digs) there is a lot of choice out there this year. There is an excess of rental accommodation on the market right now. Landlords are screaming out for tenants, so you are in a good position to negotiate the rent.
However...while it is easy to say to 'negotiate the rent' some types of ... accommodation such as onsite campus accommodation will usually have a standard rate / fee for all students. i.e. there is no room to negotiate here.
Before you put a deposit down or sign any lease remember to weigh up everything and ensure you"re getting good value for money - After all, you will be on a tight budget. When it comes to budgeting for rent, don"t forget all the other expenses you will have throughout your college life - food, books, clothes, socialising, travel etc. You need to weigh these up against any income you have - savings, parental support, part-time job, grant etc. Along with this to ensure that you are getting a good deal ask yourself a few questions:
- How large / spacious is my bedroom?
- Do I have my own bathroom or do I have to share?
- How many others are going to be living in the same property?
- Are bills included or exclude in the rent rate?
- Will have I have to pay water and bin charges?
- Do I have to pay for a TV Licence?!
Best advice is to visit a few places that are up to rent / to-let, that way you will get an idea of what you do and don"t like and figure out where you"d like to live. As we"ve said already even though the college offers are not out just yet, it"s a good idea to get ahead of the rest and start scouting for some where to live now.- Remember, first come = first served.
