7 Things to Remember When Looking for Student Accommodation.

As a Student in 2019, the chances are you’re looking for a place to stay while at the University of Birmingham. Finding the student accommodation that Is right for you, however, can be difficult. More often than not students will move into their accommodation only to find that it’s not all that it was made up to be.  To ensure that you can avoid this happening and that you get what you’re looking for, here are 7 things to look out for when you’re on the search for student accommodation in Selly Oak.

Locality to University/ travel options

Firstly, and one of the more important things to consider when looking for accommodation ready for your next academic year at university is its location. Now, this may seem quite an obvious one, but you’d be surprised at how wrong some get it. Students should consider travel time and cost to University when looking for property. The cost of travel on a daily basis can mount up and end up cost you a fortune. You should also bear in mind, If your someone who likes to bury their head under their bed sheets then maybe it’s worthwhile finding a property that’s only down the road from university, giving you that little extra time in bed.

Cost

Money… it’s the last thing on our minds while at university. In some cases maybe but it’s important to pay attention to the cost of your student accommodation  and be sure that you can afford it, an extra £5 or £10 may not seem like much at first, but over the course of a year you could be paying an extra £60 - £120 which could be spent on other items which may be of importance to you. Not only this but Its worth checking you’re not being ripped off. Find out what the average rate is in your area, this should give you a good idea of how much you should be looking to spend per week or per month on your accommodation.

Landlord/letting agent

Now unless you find yourself in a situation where you know your landlord/letting agent through a previous means, the likely hood is you probably know nothing about them at all. We always recommend you do some research on landlords/letting agent in the area you are looking for Student accommodation. Finding out what the maintenance team is like, whether the owner has a nice, approachable feel and even the customer service others have received can all play a massive part in which business you decide you want to rent with. If you check google and are seeing negative reviews, it could be one to stay away from.  

Surrounding and Amenities

Another big factor in helping to sway students is the surrounding and amenities available to students on a daily and weekly basis. This can be as simple as a local shop that is open 24/7 to as big as the need for a local gym. In some cases, of course, you may have to make some compromise as its rare to find everything you’re looking for. Those students looking to rent near the University of Birmingham, Selly Oak is ideal for students and has been built around the University for many years. Students can find several shops just moments from their front door, all of which offer their own delights, catering for all students in the area.  

Shared or solo living

It’s important that the decision you make to live in shared accommodation or on your own is yours and yours alone. After spending your first year in halls, you should have a good idea as to what it’s like to live with your friends and peers on a daily basis. For some, the idea of living on their own may be a daunting one, and that's fine. A lot of students opt to choose shared living, but for some, it’s just not the right way to go, even if it’s what all your friends decide they want to do. The last thing you want to end up doing is spending a year cleaning up somebody else’s mess because they're too lazy to do so. You will also find that there is a great deal more privacy when living on your own as you are able to lock yourself away from the outside world and enjoy some peace, quiet and relaxation.

Property age

For some, this will occur naturally when looking at different student lets in Birmingham. when entering, look to see if the property has been recently refurbished, how old the furniture provided is, and the quality of the build. All these can be fantastic indicators as to whether the landlord/ letting agents care about their tenants, if the property is dingy and not well built, you can be sure that they probably won’t be providing a great service to you. This is something that students often miss and can have a dramatic effect on their time at University.

Is It Right For You?

The most important thing when looking for a property is, is it comfortable and do you feel like you would enjoy staying there? Feeling comfortable in your student accommodation is important to ensure that your university experience is everything you want it to be. If you don’t feel comfortable where you are, you won’t enjoy the rest of your time at University.

Unihousing Student Accommodation

Unihousing are a local Selly Oak company, providing student accommodation to those attending the University of Birmingham. It is our aim to provide as many students with the ideal student accommodation that suits them. Our experienced team are able to provide a service to students which is professional, yet friendly and have always got students in mind. Unihousing also offer a range of property types including student studios and student housing to suit all student requirements.

If you’re looking for student accommodation in Selly Oak next year, why not get in contact with unihousing today and show your interest in some of our properties.      

Found Your Student Accommodation? Read This Before Moving!

Starting in new student accommodation is a big step, so it's important that you have made of all the preparations necessary for giving you the best start possible. Fortunately, Selly Oak-based lettings agents Unihousing are able to offer Birmingham students both houses and student studios that can generally satisfy all of your demands in terms of what you would want for your student living experience.

“What's The Area Like?”

Firstly, location is a big issue for many students. Where your property is situated is important for many reasons, so including this factor in your decision-making process is absolutely vital. If, however, you have already made your decision, then the next appropriate step for you is to make an effort to get to know your location a little better, as feeling comfortable and settled in one particular area- especially one that will be your student home for coming months/years- is crucial to you being happy and ready to gain as much as you can during this academic period of your life.

The location of your student studio or house is so important because, aside from it being somewhere that you need to feel comfortable in for a better all-around experience, it also facilitates your lifestyle. The surrounding area should provide all of the essential things and all of the amenities that will enable you to get by on a weekly basis. So, the location of your student accommodation should include places where you can buy food as well as all other supplies. It should have good public transport links and be generally accessible. Another advantage that you will appreciate the location of your accommodation having is a range of places to go out to in the evening, as this will help you unwind and relax at the end of a busy day/week, and it will help you to build and maintain the friendships you create during your time there.

Having outlined how and why location is so important to your tenancy in student accommodation, you will surely be glad to discover how advantageous the location of Unihousing's Selly Oak studios and houses is. Selly Oak is a busy, bustling part of Birmingham that is ideal for student living. It is conveniently situated within a short distance from the Birmingham City Centre, allowing you to jump on the train and take trips to this cultural, stimulating place that offers much to see and do. Within Selly Oak itself, you will find a collection of takeaway places for a quick but tasty solution when it comes to mealtime and a diverse range of restaurants. Selly Oak also incorporates public transport links, amenities as well as a number of pubs and clubs that are ideal for nights-out and socialising.

“Will I Definitely Be Able To Afford This?”

This is a big question and one you really need to ask yourself. Covering the cost of rent is obviously essential, but it's also important to begin thinking about your other expenses and how you're going to subsidise these. Things like food, bills and travel amongst other things are all going to be eating their way through whatever is in your bank account as you head out on your uni' experience, so giving this some thought now would be very wise. Maybe trying to put together a budget might be useful too, as it will help you keep your money organised and help you see in advance what will need to be covered financially and how much you will be left with on a weekly/monthly basis.

“What Do I Need To Know About The Contract?”

This depends on the contract really and what is in contained within it, so there's no completely straightforward answer to this question. What is for sure though is that you will have to read the contract and have a good understanding of it.

The contract should outline all of the important aspects pertaining to you renting your studio or house such as how long the tenancy will be, what the agency's rules are in regards to damage and repairs on your student home as well as any other policies that the agency has regarding noise levels etc.

“What About the Deposit?”

Before moving in and once you are getting through the paperwork for the move, it should be pointed out that- if you hadn't already realised- it will be necessary to pay a deposit. The deposit is used to cover any damage that may have been done to your accommodation, and the exact value of the deposit may vary.

“What About Furnishings?”

Student accommodation can sometimes feature certain furnishings. So ensure that you look into this matter prior to moving as it will almost certainly make life easier for you because you will have less to arrange and move into your property to make it more comfortable and convenient.

For those seeking student accommodation in Birmingham, the fact that Unihousing boasts Selly Oak studios and houses that are equipped with an array of high-standard furnishings that facilitate convenient everyday student living should have some appeal.

The Birmingham Student Experience

Birmingham is a city for students: with so much to see and do, and with it being so easy to get around, it is ideal for those who are studying at one of its campuses here. And as you may have already gathered, it is Unihousing that are the people to contact if you need student accommodation in Birmingham. With high-standard Selly Oak studios and student houses on offer at affordable prices in excellent locations, Unihousing's student properties are definitely worth looking into. Check out our website to find out more. 

Get in-touch with Unihousing today to find out more!!

New year New Change and Unihousing Student Accommodation

It's early 2019 and it's a good time to take a little look around you and evaluate everything before you head-off into the what the coming year holds. One thing that you'll want to check is how satisfied you are in your current student accommodation. If you're a Birmingham student, then Unihousing might just be the thing to point you in the right direction. Specialising in Selly Oak student studios and houses, Unihousing offer high-standard Birmingham student accommodation that is excellently located and affordably priced.

To continue reading this blog, please click here. 

10 Classic Music Movies You Shouldn’t Miss

Without music, movies would be a little boring. But what about classic films about music? Here we list our pick of 10 music movies. Search for them on your favourite streaming service or pick up a physical copy next time you’re in town.

1) Shut Up and Sing (2006)

Yes, this is a terrific little window into a highly successful country music group and the way these women tackle the art of song writing. But it gives us much more than that as this film is a stirring trip into a truly combustible period in US politics. Standing in the eye of a storm that began encircling them after on-stage comments about a certain Texan President, the Dixie Chicks went through a pivotal point in their careers over this tense time. And it's all captured here, along with any other developments that took place in their personal lives away from the spotlight.

2) End of the Century (2003)

Having a strong musical vision is one thing but succeeding in the music industry is quite another. This is the definitive look at The Ramones, a band whose music forged the blueprint for punk and influenced countless other acts. Yet despite all of the boppin', hoppin' and punk rocking that The Ramones immortalised during their existence, End of the Century sheds light on the punishing struggle for success on a more mainstream level that seemed to elude the quartet for the entirety of their career. Detailing the infighting and personal problems that beleaguered the group, this documentary is a sobering story that culminates sadly in an untimely death. A sobering yet intriguing watch.

3) Beware of Mr Baker (2012)

Ever seen a documentary that starts with the director getting hit in the nose with a cane? This may sound like a strange way for a documentary to begin, but then this is not exactly an ordinary documentary. Giving us a juicy glimpse into the world of jazz, rock and more, this is a striking portrait of the legendary Cream drummer Ginger Baker. Filled with shocking recollections and volatile interviews, this is an imaginative and intense exploration of an explosive tussle between musical brilliance, outrageous living and the realities of life.

4) Amadeus (1984)

One of the most admired names in all of classical music, Mozart's blossoming as a superlative composer of magnificent music is given appropriately grand treatment here in the Oscar-winning hands of director Milos Forman. While this powerful movie gives a potent platform for Mozart's stunning work, it simultaneously presents a hugely absorbing tale of his rivalry with fellow composer Antonio Salieri. Amadeus leaves you with a poignant study of monumental musical accomplishments and, on the other side of the coin, the spectre of mediocrity and plain old jealousy.

5) Supersonic (2016)

Underrated by some, Supersonic dives right beneath the surface to go beyond perhaps the more simplistic and obvious discussions about 90s Britpop and sibling rivalries. It presents a much more nuanced and personal picture of what it was really like to exist in a band as big as Oasis in what was a tempestuous time for the group, as well as the true nature of the relationships between the Gallaghers and the other band members. Skilfully pieced together, Supersonic is thought-provoking and celebratory and perfect for an afternoon in.

6) A Mighty Wind (2003)

A charming comedy gem, A Mighty Wind also captures all of the tension, conflict and passion that we generally associate with the careers of popular musicians and artists. Created largely by the same team that gave us the oft-mentioned heavy metal mockumentary masterpiece This Is Spinal Tap, this story of folk groups re-uniting for a televised concert is delicately laced with plenty of hearty laughs. It's actually very moving, too.

7) Walk The Line (2005)

Perhaps one of the most significant music artists of all-time, country music legend Johnny Cash was deserving of an actor and performance that could adequately portray The Man in Black. That actor was Joaquin Phoenix, and his performance was rewarded with the Best Actor Oscar at the 2006 Academy Awards. An impressively realised music biopic that also takes a direct look at the darker aspects of Cash's life, Walk The Line is peppered with enough great tunes and drama to make it live on in the memory long after the credits have rolled.

8) The Filth and the Fury (2000)

Artistic, thorough and consistently hard-hitting, The Filth and the Fury is a compulsive watch about the massively seminal emergence of punk in the UK and the searing rise of the Sex Pistols. Plunging us into a bleak picture of strikes, riots and despondency, this is a story about Britain, its society and four lads with something to say about it all, told from the point-of-view of the four band members themselves. A truly unmissable music documentary.

9) Control (2007)

If you're familiar with the iconic photographs of post-punk band Joy Division you'll surely gasp at the way this film looks, as it feels as though you're stepping right into one of those haunting pictures that were taken decades ago. Although this is an important depiction of a band that were hugely influential in shaping a sound that has inspired so many, this is mainly a portrait of troubled frontman Ian Curtis. Visually and sonically brilliant as well as a realistic drama about life in 1970s Britain, Control has a subtle poetry that quietly pulls you in and keeps you there, much like the work of Curtis and his three bandmates.

10) Whiplash (2014)

A film about jazz music that is almost musical in its structure, Whiplash is a well-orchestrated piece that is held-together by its pulsating rhythms and shifting tempo, ending only when it reaches its breath-taking crescendo. A true modern-day classic, this movie will surely please music-lovers from all corners. And for a dose of inspiration when things get tough, this story of self-reliance and dedication should perk you up a little.

But, before you settle down on the sofa to start watching…

Make sure you give a thought to your student accommodation. For Birmingham students, Unihousing's student accommodation is definitely worth a look. Specialising in student studios and houses in Selly Oak, Unihousing's impressive range of student housing is equipped with all the necessary furnishings for modern-day student living. Available for reasonable prices, Unihousing's Selly Oak studios and houses are also superbly located, making access to shops, supermarkets as well as pubs, clubs and anywhere else that's fun in Brum easily done.

Don't Forget to Contact Unihousing Today to Find-Out More about What They Can Do for You!