One of the biggest concerns for any student is “when should I begin looking for student accommodation?”.
It can be tricky! You don’t want to rush in and pick the first option you come across, but you also do not want to be too late, and miss the perfect home for your university. Don’t worry we’ve provided a few suggestions and tricks below to help you with the big decision.
The best time to start exploring
There isn’t any “right” time to begin looking for student accommodation but there are some crucial seasons that may be more beneficial than other times. This can be contingent upon where you live or looking to relocate to. A recent student survey revealed that the rental market in London offers a much quicker turnaround than the average for the rest across the UK. This means that it might be easier to start looking for your dream home closer to the date you’d like to move in if studying in London. However, there’s no advantage to starting early to be able to gauge the kind of properties that are that are available and what you like most.
For other areas, some of the most favorable months to begin planning and thinking about your next destination are listed below:
– October: This may appear early – but, in reality, the majority of students only just started their studies in September however, it’s a good plan to start getting the feelers out and discussing with your potential flat/housemates what their plans are for the upcoming academic year. Talking to other students in the first or second year can be a great way to get the stage and help guide your decision-making process regarding the kind of house you’re looking for. Certain accommodation providers also begin advertising and opening their reservations for the next academic year in the months of October and November If you’re looking to secure your home or apartment early, then October is the right time to do it. There are even “early early bird” discounts when you book or securing your reservation early and in the long run will assist you in saving money.
– January: After the hype of Christmas it’s nice to fill those January blues with a small amount of house hunting. By this time of the academic year, you’re aware about the kind of home you’re looking for and who you’d like to reside with. If you’re still trying identify this issue, then January is the ideal month to try and finalise the details. In this moment, there will still be plenty of housing options for you to choose from. And hopefully, there’s many students who are in the same situation as you, so finding people to live with (that you are familiar with and enjoy) is likely to be simple.
Make sure you do your research and move swiftly. Like we said most students like to remain open to options and begin searching for university housing at the beginning of January. This could mean you end up competing with others in search of the perfect house.
The month of March is the majority of regions, March and onwards can be considered “late” with regard to what you are looking for (with London being the exception.) Some providers may already have sold out of the most rooms however you there are still a few choices to pick from up until May. The longer you’re leaving it until May comes around, the less options you’re likely to be left with. There’s always the possibility that someone who booked early on in October may end their tenancy at a last moment, which means you could get their space! Don’t rely on this to happen if you have one particular property in mind since dropping out isn’t a guarantee, and you might miss out.
What are the things to consider when searching for student studios Leicester
You can easily get caught up in the bustle and excitement of house hunting and easier to become overwhelmed. With so much to consider We thought we’d give you a hand. This list outlines the most important factors we think will aid you in your way to make a choice!
The kinds of accommodations available there
There are many accommodations options for students. From privately rented apartments to PBSA’s (purpose constructed student accommodation) and from student homes as well as student hostels. Whatever option you’re seeking, you will probably find. The key is to make a decision in the beginning which one is suitable for you. Are you a first year student looking to share a student house in second year? Are you a new university student planning to move into a shared accommodation such as student halls? Perhaps you’re a sophomore student contemplating renting privately. Whatever your choice is ensure you conduct your homework. If you’re not certain what you should look for and maybe a bit confused about the options available, take a look at our blog on the different kinds of student accommodation to familiarise yourself.
Your budget
It might seem like something simple, but it’s easy to get distracted. Work out your budget beforehand to ensure you have a budget to think about when looking for your next property. Some properties offer bills included whilst others do not. Be aware of this and ensure that when they do not offer bills, that you manage this within your budget – this is especially important if you’re looking at privately rented properties.
The area
Imagine where you’d like to live. Do you have enough transportation options in the area? Is it near the campus of the university? What’s the atmosphere like? Is it a student-friendly area or are you located on the fringes of everything? Whatever you want it is important to make sure that you’re searching for accommodation for students that fits your preferences. This might make the search somewhat longer (especially when you have specific ideas in your head) However, in the long run you’re sure to find your perfect match and love your new home – and loving your new house will make your next semester much more manageable!
Who would you prefer to share your life with?
As mentioned above It is recommended to inquire about your friends and family members who will be looking for accommodation for the coming academic year. This will help you make your decision on not only who you would like to reside with, but the kind of housing you’ll need to search for. If, for instance, there are a bunch of people who want to be together, you’ll be looking for a property that can accommodate everyone. On the flip side in the event that there’s only two of you and you’d prefer to keep it this way (no strangers permitted) it is necessary to alter your search to find smaller houses that you can share.
For students who’re going into the first semester There are plenty of websites and groups that you can join before you start to reach out to other students. This can be handy for knowing who is also looking for accommodation and flatmates, so that you can get to know them and look together. If you have friends going to the same university as you, and you’d like to share a room with them It’s always helpful to search for places that allow group bookings so that you can be sure you’ll be placed together.
Is it a problem if your too late?
While it might seem like the end of the road if you’re unable to pick up your ideal home in the comfort of your own home, you’re not enough to get a student accommodation. There will still be alternatives available to you, they just might not be your first choice. The area might not be what you hoped for or the number of rooms could be an over-saturation for your tastes However, you’ll have an area to live and make your home for the coming academic year. If you’ve got the perfect house in your mind, it is always best to begin your search early . Remember that once you sign the contract, the choices you make more than likely cannot be altered!
If you’re in search of your ideal student residence have a look through our full range of student housing located in the UK. All of our homes are available with all bills included to ease the burden.