Studying at university is an exciting time – you’re away from home for the first time, learning new things and making friends. Many students typically live in halls of residence for their first year, subsequently moving out into rental properties in the following years to live with friends.
How Do I Find Private Sector Accommodation?
After the relative comfort of halls of residence, the idea of having to search for accommodation in the private sector can feel a little bit daunting. You might even have heard horror stories of dirty accommodation or unscrupulous landlords. Fortunately, tales like this are rare, and there is more than enough good-quality accommodation to go around.
Start by identifying what you’re looking for. Ask yourself some questions. How many people will you be sharing with? Do you want to be near the university campus or in the city centre? Are you happy to share kitchen and bathroom facilities?
There are a number of financial questions to ask too – for example, would you prefer to pay a fixed price with all your bills and rent included or will you be responsible for your own bills? You may need to pay a deposit to secure the property, but if you use an estate agent you will be protected in this regard according to Gov.UK.
If you are looking for accommodation Exeter uni, a reputable provider such as https://www.exeteruniversityaccommodation.co.uk can support you with finding high-quality accommodation to suit your budget.
Don’t Settle
There’s no need to rush into the first property you see. Looking around several properties can give you a good way of comparing and deciding which is best for you. Never be tempted to sign up for a property without viewing it first, as pictures can’t always give an accurate feel for what the property is really like.
You can always ask older students for recommendations too, or even ask around any rental properties you like the look of to see if it’s going to be vacated when older students graduate.
