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.