We’ve all seen those news items about housing shortages and rising rents. Students have been hit by these recent trends in the housing market. You need to find a home which meets your needs, which is not way outside your budget, and is in the right location. It can be quite a challenge, but don’t worry, help is at hand.
So don’t let the grass grow under your feet-or that’s what you might end up sleeping on! But seriously, as soon as you are sure you are going to be studying next year, you need to start looking. Settle into your new academic year for a few weeks, but then start looking around and getting advice.
Who
Many students will opt for shared houses. A really important decision is to choose the right housemates. Sharing with other students is great fun, but not always plain sailing. Some people like a quiet environment, and an ebullient, loud housemate might not be ideal for some. Sharing a small kitchen can be an issue. There are a lot of issues that can cause conflict, for example, vegetarians and meat eaters sharing a fridge, people who like loud music and people who don’t. Essentially, you’ve got to be pretty sure you can get on, and if there are some potential conflicts, at least talk them through and work out the compromises.
Where
Once you know who to share with, or have decided to go solo, decide which part of the city you want to be in. A keen cyclist who likes a bit of peace and quiet or likes hanging out with non-students might opt for somewhere miles off campus. Most students, though, will want to live pretty close by so they don’t have a massive commute.
At Bed Student Rentals, we have student accommodation in some great locations around Chester, including the Garden Quarter and Hoole. These areas are ideal for student living.
So, you have decided who to live with, and where you want to be. All you need to do now, is find a house. Simple, right?
Next Steps
There will be people in your university who can help you out and give advice about home hunting. They will probably have lists of landlords and agencies you can go to.
One decision is whether to go with a private landlord directly, or through a letting agent. If you go for the latter option, all your dealings would be with the agency who manage the property. This has a lot of advantages, because the agency has a wealth of experience and knowledge to draw upon, and will understand students’ needs.
Choosing the Right House
If you are sharing with other students, you obviously need enough bedrooms. Bedrooms in a house can be very different sizes, so figure out who doesn’t mind living in the tiny box room, or who insists on having a panoramic view of Chester Cathedral. The shared areas are really important too. Places to sit and work on your laptop, a comfortable lounge area, a decent-sized kitchen with appliances that work: it all adds to the comfort of your home. Getting these things right makes your year a whole lot less stressful, and a stress-free home is going to help your academic progress too.
However, if you do leave it too late, or your original plan falls through, don’t panic!
There are people who can help, so don’t be shy to ask. Maybe you had a four-student house share sorted, and then two of the guys decided to take a gap year. No worries: you can still find other students to fill the gap. If you’re just struggling to find anywhere and it’s getting late in the year, talk to a good letting agency. We are here to help you find solutions. Above all, don’t procrastinate!
So when should you start looking?
Well, pretty much as soon as you start your academic year, you need to be thinking about where to live the following year. Mid-October to mid-November is a good time to start seriously looking. However, if you miss that deadline, don’t worry. Start looking, and get the help and advice available.
If you are studying in Chester in the next academic year and are still home-hunting, get in touch with us at Bed Student Rentals. We can advise you, talk through the options, and point you in the right direction. We look forward to hearing from you, and helping you find the place that is right for you.
Written By
Mark