How to Help the Environment on a Student Budget

Living sustainably isn't always easy, many changes we could make to our daily habits often involve extra cost, which isn't tenable on a student budget. Of course, we still want to do everything we can to help the environment, which means being thrifty and careful when making purchases. In this blog, we suggest some eco-friendly alternatives to various items that won't break the bank.

 

Water Bottles

Staying hydrated is important for your health, but buying plastic water bottles is not only bad for the environment, but it can also be more expensive in the long run than buying a reusable water bottle. In the UK each year, we use roughly 13 billion plastic water bottles, but 5.5 billion of them will either be littered or end up in a landfill.

For a small investment in a reusable water bottle, you can drink water throughout the day while also helping the environment by disposing of fewer plastic bottles. Plus, you can easily refill your bottle at cafes or fountains in town.

 

Coffee Cups

Many people enjoy getting a coffee to go from their local cafe, but disposable coffee cups can be damaging to the environment. In the UK, we throw away 2.5 billion disposable coffee cups, and less than 1% of them are actually recycled.

 

A reusable coffee cup is a cheap investment which will mean that fewer disposable coffee cups are thrown away. You may even save yourself money by making your own coffee at home.

Straws

Straws have been a contentious subject over the last few years. Obviously, plastic straws are horrible for the environment, however, they are more structurally sound than the paper straws you can get from takeaways.

The answer? Buy your own set of metal or bamboo straws. Metal straws will last you a very long time, and many come with a cleaning brush to help keep them clean. On the other side, bamboo straws are more structurally sound than paper straws and can be composted when they eventually wear out but can be more expensive.

 

Shopping Bags

Using plastic bags is a completely avoidable problem. Most supermarkets offer a reusable bag for life, or you can buy a fabric tote bag from stationery shops. Not only are these better for the environment, but they're also able to hold much more during your shop.

 

Teabags

Not many people know that a lot of teabags contain plastic, which helps hold the teabag together. This also means that the teabag doesn't decompose after use. It's worth spending some time researching plastic-free teabags or instead, making the change to loose leaf tea.

 

Cotton Pads

Cotton pads are useful to have around for removing makeup and general cleansing, but many aren't biodegradable and are just thrown away. Washable cotton pads are available online and are reused easily. 

 

Wrapping Paper

The effect that wrapping paper has on the environment is insidious, as many of us believe that it's just paper. However, a lot of it is backed with a type of plastic or has plastic glitter over it, which means it's can't be fully recycled and doesn't decompose. 

 

As an alternative, why not use brown paper? You can even decorate it by writing on the paper or using a paper label. This is better for the environment and can create a more personal feel when giving presents.

 

Why Choose Unihousing?

Unhousing is a landlord and accommodation provider near The University of Birmingham since 1984. We own all of our accommodation in the student village of Selly Oak, which means we can provide quick response times to repairs using our team of qualified tradesmen. We deal directly with our tenants from our property office on Bristol Road in Selly Oak, just a short distance from all of our student properties.

 

Unhousing was selected as the Number 1 Student Letting Agent in Birmingham by the UK's biggest fresher community, Unifresher.

 

Contact Unihousing today to find out more!

Student Accommodation: Tips On Getting Your Deposit Back

When your student year is coming to an end, the last thing you want to be worrying about is whether you will get your student housing deposit back. It can seem quite daunting trying to figure out whether you have left your accommodation in the expected state, so here are some tips to get you started!

 

Ensure Rent is Paid in Full

 

Although this may seem like an obvious tip, it’s still extremely important. This is significantly easier if you are living alone, but if you are in shared student accommodation, it’s a good idea to ask around and make sure all of your housemates have paid their rent too. Any unpaid rent will either delay the process of getting your deposit back or subtract from the total. And if you have a Joint Tenancy, you are liable for any unpaid rent, regardless of whether it is yours or not.

Give Your House/Studio A Good Clean

 

As Unihousing owns all of our student studios and houses, we have our own cleaning team to ensure our studios and houses are clean and ready for you to move into. Therefore, we also expect the same courtesy from our tenants. Make sure you don’t miss out on areas like under beds, kitchen cupboards and the fridge/freezer. 

 

It’s also a good idea to spend the time cleaning the bathroom to ensure it is back to the way it was when you moved in. If you do spot anything you do not deem acceptable when you move in, make sure to take photos and please contact our office, so that we can rectify the situation.

 

Repair or Replace Broken Fixtures and Fittings

 

This can be something that catches up with students. Things do sometimes break, whether that’s the fault of the tenant or the lettings agency. When bigger items break like furniture, it’s important that you report it to the office immediately with photos attached. Any broken items that have not been reported will come out of your deposit. Try to spend time fixing or replacing any other broken fixtures and fittings, as this will also take away some of your deposit.

Don’t Leave Any Belongings Behind

 

It is quite common for students to leave behind personal items in their rooms and in the kitchen when they leave, but this will affect your deposit. If there are things you do not want to keep, try donating them to a charity shop, or giving them away to another student.

 

Any items that are left behind will count as a deduction towards your deposit, as our cleaning team will have to dispose of these items. You can also look back at the inventory of the property to ensure that you haven’t taken anything that belongs to the property, or left something of yours.

 

Unhousing is a Landlord and Accommodation Provider near The University of Birmingham since 1984

 

Unhousing owns all of their accommodation to let in Selly Oak, and don't use agents. By owning the properties, and maintaining them using our team of qualified tradesmen, we aim to provide a better service to our tenants. We deal directly with our tenants via our dedicated property office that is located in the student village of Selly Oak, conveniently situated close to our student properties.

 

Unhousing was selected as the Number 1 Student Letting Agent in Birmingham by the UK's biggest fresher community, Unifresher.

 

Contact Unihousing Today to Find Out More!

 

What Makes Unihousing Perfect for Student Accommodation

 What Makes Unihousing Perfect for Student Accommodation

 

Price and Value for Money

Living as a student can often be demanding on your bank balance. With the cost of groceries, rent and bills all stacked together, this can mean you don't have a lot of money for comforts. Making the switch to Unihousing might be just what you need. All of our university housing is affordably priced, and the price of rent is often inclusive of utility bills and 100Mb broadband. On top of the saving you can make, this will also make keeping track of your finances simpler.

 

Choice and Quality

A letting agency Selly Oak students have relied on year after year, we at Unihousing also specialise in Birmingham student accommodation that puts quality and comfort first. A quick browse of a Unihousing student apartment or any of our studios for students shows that our student homes are stylish and very well-presented, perfect for contemporary student living. And we have also ensured that each property is properly equipped with all the essentials in the kitchen, bathroom and living areas to make your lifestyle as easy as possible. The same is true of our student houses to share; spacious, impressive, comfortable and an ideal way to combine your lifestyle alongside living with a new bunch of mates.

 

Birmingham Students, Selly Oak Student Housing

The final part of the appeal with our student homes is their Selly Oak locations. Not only does living in Selly Oak accommodation give students quick access to several shops, supermarkets and takeaways, but it also makes getting to and from other areas including the City Centre pretty easy too. In Birmingham City Centre you can find plenty to do, plenty to see and sample what Birmingham has to offer, day or night. A great backdrop to your student experience.

 

Unhousing is a Landlord and Accommodation Provider near Birmingham University since 1984

Unhousing owns all of their accommodation to let in Selly Oak, and don't use agents. By owning the properties, and maintaining them using our team of qualified tradesmen, we aim to provide a better service to our tenants. We deal directly with our tenants via our dedicated property office that is located in the student village of Selly Oak, conveniently situated close to our student properties.

 

Unhousing was selected as the Number 1 Student Letting Agent in Birmingham by the UK's biggest fresher community, Unifresher.

 

Contact Unihousing Today to Find-Out More!!

What Can Students Do to Have a Positive New Year & 2022?

There are many changes we can make which can have a positive impact on our health and wellbeing, and the New Year is a great opportunity to implement one of these into your schedule.

Getting Out and Staying Active

Are COVID and the possibility of further restrictions making it challenging to plan a positive start to your year? We all know getting-out when it’s possible to socialize can be a lot of fun, and a very healthy way to spend your time, many graduates say their social life was the high point of their university experience. If you are very concerned about Omicron, doing your activities outside with friends can minimize the risk of contracting air born viruses. Keeping to your social engagements where possible, even if the venue needs to change to being outdoors will help to fend of the blues of looming restrictions.

Fitness

Having a fitness goal such as running 5k, 10k or even a Marathon can make a big difference to your fitness motivation levels. UoB sport and fitness enter a team in the Birmingham 10k most years. Could you be part of their team? Did you enjoy playing a sport at school, but haven’t thought about it since leaving. This year could be the year to take it up again. There are many sports teams and societies at UoB that can help you reconnect with old past times. Or maybe you could get an all-round health boosts just from staying slightly more active, even lighter exercises, such as walking can provide fitness and mental health gains

Body Mind and Food

Sometimes just little adjustments to what you eat and drink, here and there, can really make a positive difference. When it comes to your mental wellbeing, being honest about what you actually need and what you can do without stressing yourself can be very helpful. Trying out a few new things and leaving those that aren’t helping you behind, is worth considering. For example, there is now a lot of awareness about the negative side effects of social media, so if you are feeling you need a mental boost or are just frustrated about the amount of time you are spending on Instagram or YouTube, try one week without them and see if it makes any difference. Maybe you have another interest in your life that has gone beyond being enjoyable and has started to impact other areas of your life in a negative way, again a short abstinence from this can break an obsessive habit, while appearing more realistic than quitting altogether. 

Working

Combining work and study can be problematic, if not clearly segmented. Working a 12 hour shift in a night club the day before an assignment is due, would be a very bad idea, unless you have already handed the assignment in. Staying organised and sticking to work plans where you struggled last year, will give you the best chance of keeping on top of things this year. 

Volunteering

If you’ve ever felt bored, why not help-out in the community or volunteer somewhere? Doing this could actually benefit someone else who needs the help. You could learn new skills, and depending on where you volunteer, you could also enhance your future career prospects. There are many organisations to pick from, from volunteer park keeping with the Green Gym to working with the homeless in a soup kitchen or as a street pastor.

Going Out

There are far fewer new years events planned this year. With many events either now being booked up or choosing to cancel, such as the London Trafalgar Square event, it may seem options are limited. However at the time of writing there are still many clubs in Digbeth and on Broad Street that will be opening their doors, while there is still space available.

 

Beyond New Year’s Eve many people are expecting the government may instigate more restrictions. It’s very unlikely that full lockdown will be put upon England again, however we might see restrictions on numbers indoors, some are already avoiding such situations. Many local businesses have adapted by providing more external seating lighting and heating. There also a number of parks in Birmingham where you can enjoy a walk or ride with a few friends. Cannon Hill park has a number of café’s and conveniences. If you were thinking of enjoying a hot chocolate after a walk, maybe you should start by exploring the home of Cadburys in Bournville? Rowheath Pavilion is one of Bournville largest parks and has a café, bar duck pond and play area (for your inner child). Rowheath was founded by George Cadbury for the families of the factory workers. It’s old tea room, now called the café, still sells Cadburys Hot Chocolate to this day .  

 

While some of the ideas above may hold no appeal to you or may be hindered by the uncertainty of COVID, a positive mind set and some determination to enjoy this year will give you a better chance of doing just that.

Unhousing is a Landlord and Accommodation Provider near Birmingham University since 1984

Unhousing owns all of their accommodation to let in Selly Oak, and don't use agents. By owning the properties, and maintaining them using our team of qualified tradesmen, we aim to provide a better service to our tenants. We deal directly with our tenants via our dedicated property office that is located in the student village of Selly Oak, conveniently situated close to our student properties. In 2019 Unihousing were selected as Birmingham’s Number 1 Student Agent and have continued to retain that title.

Contact Unihousing Here.

What’s It Like Finding Women Only Student Accommodation?

Several factors go into students making their decision about their accommodation. It can’t be said enough though that getting your mind on the essentials in this decision-making process, such as affordability, comfort and location is massively important. What also can be an issue for some is whether or not their potential student home caters solely towards the gender they identify as. For students identifying as female, finding student accommodation that caters for women only can be a struggle.

The Reality

The reason for women-only accommodation being difficult to find is due to discrimination laws. It’s possible too that landlords might avoid the idea since it restricts who they can rent to. Here at Selly Oak-based Unihousing, we can offer first-rate Selly Oak student housing. While it is not certain whether we can cater to this need for women-only accommodation, there is a possibility that at Unihousing we can offer accommodation for females who prefer to be in a block of studios with others of the same sex. There is no guarantee of this though and you would always need to check first whether we can cater to this preference.

Houses and Studios in Selly Oak 

For all students, finding university housing can be a challenge, and it is the goal of Unihousing to make the process super simple and give you real value for money. Birmingham based, Unihousing are a letting agency Selly Oak students have put their trust in for years and years. Unihousing specialises in studios for students and student houses that are both spacious and comfortable without costing you too much. Tastefully decorated and perfectly located with quick access to public transport, pubs, shops and supermarkets, Unihousing’s Selly Oak accommodation is the stand-out choice for student housing. Discover more about our studios here, and more about our houses here.

Contact Unihousing Today to Find Out More!!!

Student Accommodation & Activities in Winter Months

With Winter now on its way in, many students will have already begun preparation, including finding their student accommodation and budgeting for the new academic year. Reflecting on how this year has been, students will want to consider, what they are planning to do next year regarding, their budgeting, learning and living. The race to find the best student accommodation is already here. Read on for hints and tips for the winter months and how to find some great student accommodation and make the most of the winter season. 

 Find the Best Student Accommodation in Birmingham

Make the most of the the months ahead by securing student accommodation now. A good place to start is with Unifreshers' Number 1 Birmingham Student Agent. Unihousing are the ideal option for your student housing needs. Providing a high standard and servicing of their Selly Oak studios and houses to share. Unihousing’s student homes are equipped with all the essential furnishings required for a contemporary student living. Affordably priced, Unihousing’s Birmingham student accommodation is also superbly situated. Unihousing accommodation gives students easy access to both the University of Birmingham's, Edgbaston Campus, as well as local transport links and the student village of Selly Oak's amenities.  

Give Baking a Try

Eating out is something that a lot of us tend to enjoy. And although enjoying things is generally good for us, it can sometimes not be so good for the student budget. Having something enjoyable to eat that isn’t too expensive would be a welcome idea, which is why giving home baking a try could be something for you to have a think about. There’s obviously going to be heaps and heaps of various books and pieces online with all manner of hints, tips and recipes to help you with home baking, so maybe just find something that gets you excited. And maybe find something that isn’t too challenging if you are new to it.

Whatever you choose to do, the act of creating something and eating it after should be fun and rewarding. It will taste good too, hopefully. Get some of your friends and housemates involved and it can become an activity that brings you all together. It won’t be too expensive either!        

What a Laugh

Fat Penguin is a comedy night that is ideal for students as it not only hosts a number of side-splitting comedians from around the UK to its stage, but it also does not charge for entry. Rather than charging for entry, Fat Penguin instead asks for a donation, with £5 being the recommended donation. Fat Penguin is located in The Patrick Kavanagh Bar, Moseley, and is definitely worth going to. See some quality acts, support the local comedy scene and have a really good laugh in doing so.     

  

The Sunflower Lounge

The Sunflower Lounge may not necessarily be somewhere that’s deemed by all to be perfect for the modern-day student budget, but it’s definitely a place to earmark for a possible night-out. The Sunflower Lounge has its own unique, easy-going ambience, a sense of style and an atmosphere that you don’t exactly find on every street. Sitting neatly within Birmingham City Centre on Smallbrook Queensway, The Sunflower Lounge bubbles with an energy that one might not expect from viewing some of the more grey-looking buildings that stand adjacent to it. The Sunflower Lounge is both a great place to get a couple of drinks with mates and a well-regarded venue for seeing a superb selection of live music. Give it a try and it may become somewhere that you and your friends return to on a regular basis.   

  

Cannon Hill Park and the MAC

Cannon Hill Park is situated just off the Pershore Road, Moseley and is a very pleasant park to visit, especially on a lovely sunny day. Having a nice afternoon at the park might be a perfectly fine way to spend your time, and of course, it won’t really cost you anything. What you might not have realised though is that Cannon Hill Park sits with the MAC right next to it. The MAC- or Midlands Arts Centre- is a diverse place that offers an array of courses and exhibitions. It also has its own cinema, one that sometimes screens a more alternative choice of films. You may just want to head to its café for a drink or some food.      

    

The Stage Is Yours!

Another cheap and easy opportunity for entertainment is Open Mic Nights. For Birmingham students, you will be able to get to one of these Open Mic Nights without difficulty, and with the range of acts being sure to vary, you can most likely expect a memorable night. Go with friends, order a drink and maybe even have a go at performing yourself!  

Unihousing Student Accommodation in Birmingham

If the next few months ahead for you means securing suitable student accommodation in Birmingham, then Selly Oak-based Unihousing are the ideal option for your student housing needs. Providing a high standard of Selly Oak studios and houses to share, Unihousing’s student homes are equipped with all the furnishings that are needed for the contemporary student lifestyle. Affordably priced, Unihousing’s Birmingham student accommodation is also superbly situated, giving students easy access to both local transport links and nearby amenities.  

Unihousing’s Selly Oak Student Housing

Unhousing is a landlord and accommodation provider near Birmingham University since 1984. Unhousing owns all of their accommodation to let in Selly Oak and doesn't use agents. By owning the properties, and maintaining them using our own team of qualified tradesmen, we aim to provide a better service to our tenants. We deal directly with our tenants via our dedicated property office that is located in the student village of Selly Oak, conveniently situated close to our student accommodation.

Contact Unihousing today to learn more about our Birmingham student accommodation!

Why Unihousing Student Studios Are For You

All students want a good deal on their student accommodation for the money they hand over. At Unihousing we meld the need for an unmistakeably high standard in Birmingham student accommodation, with affordability that can satisfy any budget.  

Unihousing, a letting agency Selly Oak students have been going to for years, we provide top student studios in a bustling Birmingham area. Our university housing combines spacious rooms with pleasing decors and an array of furnishings that provide what you need to get you through the week.

 

Your Place

The inside of Unihousing studios in Selly Oak boasts a well-presented open plan living and dining area that is roomy enough for you to feel settled and compact enough to find it easy to manage and maintain. This is a studio designed for your comfort and convenience, featuring a double bed, kitchenette for easy meal preparations and a desk to let you get on with your studying and revision. We also include a TV so you can take your mind off things between lectures and sessions of study.

 

Where Our Studios Are

Our studios are situated in Selly Oak, a busy Birmingham town that is roughly 15 minutes from Birmingham City Centre and is neighboured by other towns such as Bournville and Stirchley. Our studios for students are within a short distance from the University of Birmingham too which is super-handy for getting to lectures on time every morning.

 

Nights In, Nights Out

Our studios' privacy and quiet surroundings are great for a night into the chill, but by heading to one of the local pubs or sampling the club-life in Selly Oak, you can have a brilliant night out. Get your friends together and go to one of the nearby restaurants or take a trip into the City Centre and get the most out of your Selly Oak student studio.

Unihousing’s Selly Oak Student Housing

Unhousing is a landlord and accommodation provider near Birmingham University since 1984. Unhousing owns all of their accommodation to let in Selly Oak and doesn't use agents. By owning the properties, and maintaining them using our own team of qualified tradesmen, we aim to provide a better service to our tenants. We deal directly with our tenants via our dedicated property office that is located in the student village of Selly Oak, conveniently situated close to our student properties.

Contact Unihousing Now to Find Your Selly Oak Student Housing!!