Where can you find student accommodation and what should you look for?

Where can you find student accommodation and what should you look for?

22 June 2022 • 5 min read


Finding student accommodation can be a stressful process, but it doesn’t always have to be that way. With so many options available from the location to the landlord, there are some big decisions to be made when moving into student accommodation.

Here are just a few things to look out for when looking for student accommodation, whether you’re in your first year or you’re looking to move out of university halls…


Location 📍

Where the student accommodation is can be a major factor when picking the ideal housing for you. Everyone wants their accommodation to be close to campus, while also being in the heart of the university towns. Not only does this cut on travel costs, but makes sure you’re right in the thick of it when it comes to nightlife and things to do throughout the day.

Of course, there are also different types of student accommodation to pick from, read our blog ‘Types of student accommodation: your options explained’ here for more information on the types of student accommodation available for you to choose from.


Are bills included? 💡

A feature that many students look for, are the bills included in the price displayed? With house sharing being so common at university, it tends to fall on one person in each house or flat share to organise the collection of bill money and ensure it’s paid. This can be a pain for the person who needs to organise the bills and can lead to disputes, especially if you don’t get on very well with your housemates. 

Thankfully, in recent years the demand for student housing with bills included in the price has boomed. This makes it much easier for you to quickly judge which accommodation options will fit within your budget. It also makes your life easier when it comes to paying bills on a monthly or quarterly basis. 


Damp 💧

Sometimes looked at as a small problem, damp can cause more issues in student accommodation than meets the eye. Not only can it ruin your furniture, your clothes, and how your room looks, but dampness can cause some health conditions and aggravate others too, putting those suffering from breathing conditions such as asthma even more at risk.

Damp is caused when excess moisture is trapped and has no way of getting out. This moisture can come from steam when cooking, from bathrooms when showering, the drying of clothes, or any other situation where water is released into the room.

When viewing student housing, make sure to check thoroughly for damp before committing to anything. Check around windows, walls and ceilings, and also behind furniture such as drawers and wardrobes. Tell-tale signs can be patches of mould, a wet or musky smell, and little things such as the paint/wallpaper peeling from walls.


Safety of the property 🔒

One of the most important things to prioritise when looking at student accommodation is the safety of the property. Do your own research before viewing student housing, check the area and other information to get an idea of how safe it seems. Housing in busier and well-lit areas tend to be safer than those more out of the way in darker and quieter areas.

Make sure to check things with the landlord such as a burglar alarm system, the smoke detectors, and even the locks on the different entry points. Some student accommodation comes with a secure door down in the entrance to the building, but this is something you should check too. It’s important to know that your home and its doors are safe and secure.

Threats don’t just come from outside but inside too, which is why it’s important to ensure the building has safety items such as fire extinguishers, fire blankets, and more.


Current tenants 🏡

Don’t be shy, have a chat with students that currently live in the student accommodation! They’ll be able to give you an honest insight into what it’s like to live there, past all the shiny pictures online. After all, you’ll be in their shoes and living like them soon enough, so make sure it’s a living situation you can see yourself in!


Where should I be looking for student accommodation? 🔍

When it comes to finding the ideal student housing, sites such as UniHomes can simplify what can be a very stressful process. Not only are bills included on the listings, but UniHomes covers most major cities and have a considerable range of student accommodations, so you don’t have to worry about finding the ideal home for university life.


Now that you know where you should be looking, check out our blog on how to make the right choice when it comes to choosing student accommodation to meet your needs.


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