5 Things To Look For In Student Accommodation

Looking for student accommodation that suits your needs can be difficult…

Especially when you don’t know where to start! If you’re a parent looking for a place for your child to stay while studying, or a new uni student in the market for good student accommodation, you might find it tricky if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Everyone knows about the “share-house horror stories” where the landlord doesn’t fix water damage for 6 months, but trust us, there are things you can do to avoid getting yourself or your child into these situations! Here are our top tips on what to look for when you’re in the market for student accommodation:

Establish your budget

No matter where you’re sending them, money is going to be the biggest influence on the way they live their life out of home. Whether they’re paying their own way or you’re helping them out financially, rent is the biggest financial commitment when it comes to moving to a new place. Make sure you know what you’re prepared to pay before you start looking. It might help to speak to locals in the area, view some online real estate sites or contact the property owner directly in order to get an idea of the average lease rates in the area. You might want to start saving up just in case!

Do your wants and needs line up with your budget?

Before setting your sights on a super cheap weekly rent rate of $100, you might want to consider what that kind of money is buying you. Something that cheap might be great for the wallet, but it’s likely that there is a catch – make sure you do your research before getting too excited over a cheap rent rate. The reason for this cheap rate might reveal itself upon an apartment inspection, and you might find damages, a noisy location or bad neighbours. Be patient and keep your eye on the ads before you jump into the first cheap lease you find.

The unknown essentials

Other than hot water, a roof over your head and electricity, there are some other essentials to living as a student that you may not have realised were essential. Along with your basic needs, the reason you’re there is to study, so you need to be living in an environment that lends itself to that cause. By that I mean: does the environment have other students? Is there enough quiet time to be able to study, but enough social time to allow you to blow off steam? These are the balances you want to strike in student accommodation, and it’s one of the most important things about living away from home.

Keep your eyes open for sneaky fees

If you’re signing a contract – READ EVERYTHING. It’s amazing how few people actually bother to read the fine print before scribbling their signature on a contract. Many student accommodation options will have additional fees outlined in the fine print, and when the times comes to deduct that amount, you might not be prepared for it. Make sure you carefully read and initial each page of the contract before submitting your signed copy. There is nothing worse than being hit with a fee you didn’t know existed!

Why can living on campus be your best option?

Living on campus inside a student-built campus facility may be the best option for you if it’s your first time out of home. The security, community and the staff understanding of a uni student’s wants and needs creates an environment that can make you ease in to uni life without chucking you in the deep end of “adult life”. Your hot water, electricity, gas and (sometimes) internet is included in the cost, and there are usually social events that allow you to meet new people and learn more about the place you’re living in. There are plenty of on-campus options, ranging from the old-classic and traditional college lifestyle to modern and independent student accommodation. In most universities, you’re spoiled for choice – but be warned, this accommodation is competitive, so if you’re keen on living on campus you’ll need to book in advance to get a place! So maybe give us a call, yeah?

We don’t mean to toot our own horn, but we’re pretty great when it comes to on-campus student accommodation… Okay, maybe we’re tooting a little bit ;). But considering the Village as a place to stay during your study is a great place to start when it comes to competitive pricing and an amazing social calendar that makes meeting people and excelling in your studies as easy as it can be. Before you jump in to any contracts or leases on a new place to live, make sure you compare your options: start with pricing, community and location. Good luck with the search, and contact us if you need any advice on student living!

See you next week,

Amy.