Accommodation at University

If you are going away to university, accommodation will soon be top of your list of priorities. It really is best to give this some thought early on, and not just leave things to chance; where you live will have a huge impact on your student experience. Firstly, check the prospectuses of your shortlisted universi­ties to see what’s available, and, for more info., contact their Accommodation Of­fices, as they usually produce a booklet about their accommoda­tion, telling you what to do, and when, to make sure that you have something lined up for the start of your course. Some universities will also offer help and advice about housing for the rest of your academic career.

You’ll usually have some choice about where you live. Think about the possibilities: a room in a hall of residence or in a shared student house; a room on campus or a house or flat in the town? Some universities set aside a certain number of hall places for first years. Many, for instance, guarantees all new students a place in uni­versity accommodation — provided that you apply in good time!

Once you have accepted a place on a course you can apply for the accommodation of your choice. Send the forms back promptly, as the best accommodation tends to go quickly. The accommodation staff will want to know about your course, and also a little bit about you and your lifestyle. You might need to send a deposit payment in advance to reserve a room in halls; the university keeps this until you move out, to cover the cost of any loss or damage to the property, or unpaid rent. So think twice about trashing your room in a fit of poor-essay-result anger!

Obviously one of the main considerations is the cost, and you should check not just how much the rent is, but also whether it includes electricity and gas. Find out the payment arrangements: will you have to pay for a whole term in advance, or can you pay monthly or weekly if necessary? Can you change the way you pay if you have problems? It is also worth asking if you will have to pay the rent in the holidays.

Check also, and very importantly, the type of accommo­dation available: halls of residence, university managed housing and private rented accommodation. First year students really benefit from living in halls of residence, as they make it extra-easy to make friends, and are safe and comfortable. They range from the very basic — study bedrooms on long corridors with shared bathroom facili­ties and a refectory (the cost of some meals may be included with the rent) - to the more modern shared flats with en-suite bathrooms where everyone caters for themselves. If you can’t cook, practise opening tins and boiling eggs - failing that, make sure you know the number of the local pizza delivery service and be prepared to put on weight!

University managed housing is accommodation the university buys or rents from the private sector and sub-lets to students. These are usually more popular with groups of second or third years, but occasionally freshers opt for this type of housing. Bills are often extra, but rent is normally paid through the university, and standards and proper maintenance are guaranteed.

Private rented accommodation is offered by local landlords and often advertised through the university’s Accommodation Office, as well as via agencies and in the local papers. It ranges from lodgings with families (with meals provided) to bedsits, flats, and whole houses. Often these properties are not inspected by the university and you will need to visit and give it a thorough once-over before agreeing to move in.

Whichever you decide to go for, you will be asked to sign an agreement or contract. Read everything carefully and make sure that you understand what is expected of you, as the terms and conditions may be legally binding. After that, you can concentrate on moving in, getting to know your flatmates and neighbours, and enjoying your time at university.