Student housing isn't the same as regular renting, and there are a few things that might trip you up. Of course, many things are the same as renting any property, but regardless of whereabouts you're studying, there are a few things to consider as a student that you may not as a non-student renter.
This might seem like a weird one, but most students won’t be able to afford a new mattress or bed if it’s a complete state, and landlords can be slow at replacing them. Student homes are usually let furnished, meaning that you should at least have basic furniture provided such as a bed, wardrobe and often a desk and bedside table.
A poor quality of mattress might not seem like the end of the world but it can really end up hurting your back and will make it harder to get consistently good sleep – something you’ll really need in the run up to exams. Also, if you’re one of those students who loves a good nap then this should be a real priority. See if they’ll let you have a quick sit or a lie down on one of the beds so you can test it out.
You should also ask the current tenants about the quality of the mattresses. If they say they’re not great, the landlord may very well promise to change them – you can then hold them to that.
Even if you discover that everything that has been broken is now fixed, the amount that needed to be fixed (and the time it took to do so) is indicative of the general approach your potential landlord has to their houses. Unfortunately, a lot of student housing has a reputation for not being in great condition, and having landlords who take a long time to carry out repairs.
Asking general questions like, “How is it to live here?” will illicit vague responses and a lot of students may say it’s pretty much fine, forgetting the nightmare they had a few months ago with a leaking roof and a flooding washing machine.
Try to speak with the tenants alone at some point, or give them a quick call after and ask them some more probing questions about problems in the house and how the landlord or letting agency dealt with them.
OK, this one isn't really student-specific, but it's something you might not think to ask! You might get an odd look for this and a tenant is well within their rights to say no, but one thing a lot of students forget when moving in is that they will be spending their day-to-day lives in this house and so the daily facilities they will be using are the most important thing. Most people remember to ask about deposits, rent and bills, but few think about how it will feel to step into a weak shower every day in a bathroom with no natural light.
As we said before, student housing has a reputation for not being in the best of nick, so this is another way to check the overall condition of the property and make sure it'll be pleasant to live in. Do the taps get too hot very quickly; does one of the radiators make a strange noise; is the door difficult to lock and unlock? These things shouldn’t necessarily put you off (all student houses will have quirks) but it’s good to try and get a complete measure of what the house is like so you’re as informed as you can be. You never know, it might be haunted.
Often student houses are next to local resident houses, and that means non-student neighbours who might be either fantastic, or very difficult. They might have complained for legitimate reasons, but they might also be the kind of neighbours who are determined to complain about everything. On the other hand, you might find that the neighbours are excellent (I used to live next to non-student neighbours who baked us cakes!). Again, it’s worth seeing what the current tenants have to say about this.
NEXT: Find out more about accommodation in our student reviews