A Productive Work Space for Students

Making sure the work is complete when the final day rolls around at University is important. Having the right working environment will help you to succeed while at University. Therefore, choosing the right student accommodation is important. It should be of high importance to a student that they pass their exams, after all you are paying a lot.  There are a few factors that can cause a student to under perform in their work. Understanding the importance of these can have a dramatic effect on the quality of your work come the end of your time at University. The areas that should be considered include: noise, colour, furniture, lighting and use of space.

Noise

Noise has a massive impact on a student’s ability to perform. A noisy environment can cause you to become very distracted. Finding a quiet space where you can work will help you to produce the best possible work. It is sometimes hard to find a quiet place, so don’t forget that you can always use music as a substitute. Music can help your work to flow, it is important however that you choose a genre of music that is not distracting. Try to avoid any songs with lyrics and refrain from listening to quick tempo music that makes you want to dance. 

Colour

The colour of your room can have a dramatic effect on your productivity and creativity. Selecting the right colour can be dependent on the courses you are taking. An example of this would be blue and yellow. Both stimulate the mind to be more productive. Blue is a calming colour and can help to increase a person’s mental focus. On the other hand, the colour yellow boosts imagination and creativity. This is the perfect colour for somebody who is completing an art based project. Colours that you should try and stay away from include red as it is associated with physical endeavour and can become very distracting when trying to keep your head in your work. When looking for accommodation in Birmingham, look for places where they have used these positive colours, this will help you to work.

Furniture

Another aspect that can affect a student’s ability to perform is furniture. Surprisingly, the way in which you choose to lay out your furniture in a room can cause both positive or negative effects on your ability to perform.  Boring furniture has a negative effect, to prevent this you want furniture that is comfortable and stylish which allows for both relaxation and productivity when it is needed. Work out how it is you like to work, what makes you feel comfortable and the sort of environment you prefer to live in. Look at different types of accommodation including: studios, apartments and community houses. 

Lighting

Having a dark, dull room can have a bad effect on a student’s productivity. It is always better to work in the light, than in the dark. However, it seems that artificial light can have a negative effect, when you are required to use your eyes while working, for example for reading text or watching video. The recommendation is that you stay between 300-500 lux. This is the optimal range that will have a positive effect on your work. Look for buildings that are well lit with multiple windows allowing for good, natural light and an effective work space.

Use of Space

Having a tidy space in your accommodation in which you can work is key to producing high level work. The best way to do this is by having lots of draw space to put things away. Having a overloaded desk can cause distraction and lead to low quality and slow productivity. Create a space in which you can perform well.

Unihousing offers a range of student accommodation, we hope to offer students attending the University of Birmingham a place they can call home. This year we have even more studios and apartments in Selly Oak and the surrounding area that we offer to student.

Selly Oak Living VS City Centre Living

Easy Living for University of Birmingham Students

We all know how important it is to have somewhere comfortable and pleasant to live. For students in Birmingham, no matter how much value you place on your accommodation, it goes without saying that you will want to live in a place that suits you. Without a good standard of accommodation and a location that you are happy with, completing your course and getting the most from the overall university experience could be a challenge.

Living in the City Centre

When it comes to evaluating exactly where to settle in Birmingham for your student years, two obvious options you have are the city centre and Selly Oak. The city centre may seem like an attractive prospect. Aside from the choices of accommodation there that are sure to appeal to you, it is also home to a great range of things to see and do, places to eat and drink, and amenities that make living easier and more convenient.

You'll never be without things to see and do when living in the city centre, everything you could need is right on your doorstep. However, living in the city centre does mean that heading onto campus becomes more difficult. You could end up paying a fair amount on train journeys to get to your lectures. If you are on a course that doesn't have many lectures, and doesn't require you to be on campus to do most of the assignments, then living in the city could be ideal for you. 

Living in the Student Village of Selly Oak

If, however, the idea of residing within the hustle and bustle of the city centre seems a little overbearing, then it may be worth turning your attention to the accommodation in Selly Oak. The Birmingham village of Selly Oak has much to offer. One advantage that Selly Oak has is that it is situated with other places such as Moseley, Kings Heath and Bournville not too far away. And, perhaps more importantly, it is filled with a number of student houses and studios that you can be sure will meet your requirements. Provided through registered landlords Unihousing, there are studios to let in Selly Oak and houses to let in Selly Oak that boast high-standards, with a number of these student homes including features such as modern kitchens, laminate flooring, double glazing and communal lounges.

Another huge benefit to living in Selly Oak Unihousing accommodation is the location. Much of their Selly Oak property, whether it’s Selly Oak studios to let or Selly Oak houses to let, afford you the opportunity to be close to the train station and the University of Birmingham. This makes it ideal for getting around and being on time for lectures in the morning. In addition, the shops and nightlife of Selly Oak are nearby. So if you need to get some shopping from the supermarket or want to go out for the night with your friends after a long day at university, Selly Oak may be the village for you. It is worth pointing out as well, that even if Birmingham’s city centre still has huge appeal for you due to its plethora of attractions and nightlife options, living in Selly Oak is still worth considering, as its train station means that getting to the city centre is only a short train ride away.

In Conclusion

So, whether the calm and quiet of a studio or the communal living of sharing a house is what you prefer, Selly Oak is a great place to get settled for university life. With the cheap rooms to rent in Selly Oak, vibrant nightlife and a number of amenities close by, this could be where you find the student accommodation that is right for you.

Selly Oak Accommodation in the New Academic Year

Whether it's Selly Oak studios or houses you have in mind, Unihousing can help. A number of their studios and rooms to let in Selly Oak become available in July of this year, which means that you now have the perfect opportunity to plan ahead for the new academic year and find somewhere ideal for you.

Studios

A great place to start with a Selly Oak property is Grange Road Apartment 2. Newly refurbished, this studio has been laminated throughout and features an impressive shower room as well as a contemporary fitted kitchen and a double bedroom. Not only is this a comfortable place to get settled for your time as a student, but it is also conveniently located too, with the University of Birmingham and Selly Oak train station only a short distance away.

Also comfortable and adequately equipped for student living is Dawlish Road Apartment 1. Fully furnished with a fitted shower room and open plan living/dining area, this studio has a handy location being close to Selly Oak’s nightlife and the University of Birmingham. Perfect for getting to lectures in the morning and the bars and pubs at night.

Or maybe have a think about Dawlish Road Apartment 5. This studio is a well-presented place for you to make your student home and offers you an open plan fitted kitchen with a combi oven and a fitted shower room. If that doesn’t tempt you, maybe Tiverton Road Apartment 1 will, with its fitted kitchenette and is fully equipped with all the appliances you'll need. Or perhaps you’d prefer Grange Road Apartment 4 that boasts a well-sized living/bedroom area, a lovely contemporary shower room and is fully furnished with the essentials for student living.

Houses

Unihousing also provides houses to let in Selly Oak, which means there’s more choice for you. One example is Exeter Road that is suitable for a group of six. This accommodation is an impressively presented house that includes double glazing and central heating, and for those who enjoy an evening get-together, a large communal lounge. Plus, it incorporates a contemporary fitted bathroom and a spacious fitted kitchen that comes with all the appliances you'll need during your time at University.

Another choice for Selly Oak houses to let is Harrow Road. Boasting six bedrooms, this accommodation could become the home for you and your mates. It offers a spacious lounge with a flat-screen TV, a well-sized kitchen with appliances is near to the University of Birmingham, and it comes at an affordable price.

There is also the five-bedroom Dawlish Road which is equipped with a shower room, laminate flooring throughout and a fitted kitchen that includes appliances. In addition, Dawlish Road features double bedrooms, and for the lucky one in your group, one of these bedrooms has its own toilet.

Start your search for accommodation in Selly Oak now and find somewhere that you know meets your requirements. Unihousing are registered landlords in Selly Oak that specialise in high-standards of accommodation and they are sure to provide the kind of home or studio that suits you as you proceed with your student experience. To learn more about our properties and to register your interest, visit our website today!

Landlords and Letting Agencies

The term landlord and letting agents are phrases that many students looking for accommodation may come across. Many are not aware of the difference between the two and what the pros and cons may be. Understanding the differences between the two will enable you to focus your search to ensure you find an ideal property. Here we will begin to explain the differences between the two and what we at Unihousing can do.

Landlords

A landlord is the owner of a rental property. By law there are several things that a landlord must provide in their services, some of these include; ensuring that the property is in good condition and that it will pass any safety checks, providing a contract of tenancy and to keep the property secure and safe. Finally, a landlord is required to give notices for a number of things including 1 months’ notice before they can evict you from a property and even when entering a property.

It is important however that you respect and maintain a good relationship with your landlord as they have the power to remove you from a property as long as they are within the law. Paying your rent on time is essential if you would like to stay in your rented accommodation. All issues should be directed to the landlord and no-one else as both you and your landlord have a duty to stick to the contract. Failure to do this will result in being evicted from the property.

Letting Agents

Landlords will use letting agencies to help promote, maintain and manage property. You will normally find that landlords using a letting agency tend to own several property’s and too many for just one person to handle. Letting agency will also have multiple landlords in their books. Finally letting agency’s will have an online site where you can find a large list of property, they will also have the same property’s in their shop.

A letting agent acts as a middle man in all of this, for example rent will be paid to the letting agent and the letting agent to the landlord. This is the same for any form of communication whether this be maintenance and repairs or just for general questions. In some cases, the letting agents themselves will deal with maintenance issues depending on their agreements with the landlord.

Which is Better?

There are a number of advantages to both landlords and letting agents. Some of these are similar for example both, by law, must abide by the contract that has been signed and must take care of your safety and the maintenance of the property. On the other hand, you may say that landlords can be cheaper than letting agents, this is because landlords will pay an admin fee when using a letting agency. A second argument may be that letting agents are generally much easier to get ahold of when there are any problems.

A final factor that should be considered may be that when dealing with a letting agency, don’t forget they are a company meaning they probably deal with several different landlords. This means that where as a landlord may be more thoughtful about their decision, such as a few days’ flexibility on rent or other such things, an agency may not.  For the most part though there is not much between the two and because of this we would not say one is better than another.

Why Unihousing is Unique

Unihousing different to many other companies. This is due to the fact that we do not fit into either category. This is because all the properties offered by Unihousing are owned by Unihousing, unlike a letting agency that do not own the property’s they have to let. This means that there is an opportunity to have to benefits from both Landlord and letting agencies. Unihousing is quick, reliable and affordable offering accommodation across Birmingham. A range of property types are available such as apartments and studios to suit anyone and everyone looking for a place of their own.

If you interested in accommodation starting in July 2017 ready for the start of the University calendar, check out our student studios in Birmingham on our website. Or, follow us on Twitter or Facebook for more details and news about our properties.

Shared Student Living vs Solitary Student Living

Choosing the right accommodation can be tremendously important to enjoying your time at University. For some people, the experience of living in Halls is something they will look back on as a fond memory for many years. The shared experiences and jokes adding to the buzz and excitement of the first year away from home. For others, it's a frustrating time of noise and interruption, poor sleep and poor academic performance due to a lack of space and time for studying, to the best of their abilities. The accommodation requirements for many people can therefore be completely different when they come to their second year.

Having your own space in which you can relax away from the stresses of the day is important to make sure that you do not become overworked and stressed. It will also give you a bigger sense of freedom as you can control how you like to live, unlike living with a group of other students. Some people look for a place close to the high street with good access to local transport and amenities while others may prefer to live closer to the Birmingham University campus, where they do not have to deal with the morning rush. Whatever it is that is important to you, the most important aspect is that you feel comfortable in your accommodation.

Thinking About You

Making sure that you feel comfortable while moving and when you have settled in is essential. The second year of University normally involves an academic step-up in terms of the amount of study and workload needed, so being in an environment that will enable you to perform and study to the best of your ability is important. Unihousing is here to help you find the best accommodation to help you thrive and develop while completing your course or courses at the University of Birmingham.

Student Accommodation, Birmingham

Birmingham has a lot to offer in terms of student accommodation. One thing that is of great importance to many students would be the location of a property and what is available to them in the surrounding areas. Unihousing is able to offer a range of property around Birmingham catering to the needs of each and every individual looking for accommodation in the coming year. Some of our newly refurbished properties such as Grange road apartment 1 are situated within walking distance of both the University of Birmingham and the local train station. Other such properties are ideally located near Birmingham's Nightlife and shopping centres. Whichever type of lifestyle suits you best, make sure that you have selected the right place for you.

Moving Away

Students who will be moving to student accommodation in Birmingham can find the moving process stressful, at times. This brings us to the next step on the road to choosing a place of your own. A Furnished apartment or studio is essential to think about when moving. Having a furnished apartment can save you large amounts of money and relieve a lot of stress in your first few weeks. There's nothing worse than arriving at your new home and finding little to no furnishings or equipment. This is not the case with us as a large number of our available properties come fully furnished, this should help make your move nice and easy in your first few weeks.

Studios vs. Apartments

Unihousing is able to offer Birmingham student accommodation to anyone looking for a place of their own ready for the new academic year. Another factor that we feel should be considered when looking for a place of your own is your living style. As you may already know we offer more than one type of accommodation, in the case of students this is normally apartments (flats) or studios. Studios tend to be one larger room with an incorporated kitchen, bedroom and living area with a separate bathroom. Apartments tend to consist of 2 or 3 smaller rooms with one room consisting of the living area and kitchen and second and third rooms for a bedroom and bathroom. 

It is a good idea to take a look at both and think about what sort of living style will suit you. The quick-paced lifestyle of a studio where you can quickly get around and do any extra task such as cooking and cleaning or maybe a more relaxed environment of an apartment. It is also worth considering that if you are somebody that likes to have friends over, an apartment lets you keep all your personal belongings in a separate room while friends congregate in the living area. No matter what type of accommodation you pick make sure that it will meet your needs and requirements. Whatever you decide to do, the most important thing is that you feel comfortable and at home in the property you choose. 

We hope that this has been helpful to you and has given you some support and guidance when looking for a property. In any case, we are here to help so, please do get in contact for any further enquiries on our website and register your interest today!