A lot of students fall into costly traps when renting. Avoid nasty surprises before you sign a lease with our advice.

Based on the results of our National Student Accommodation Survey, nearly half of students believe their uni home is poor value in terms of value.

Avoid the house hunt frenzy and carefully examine properties. It’s your chance to make a well-informed decision and to avoid the expense of living in a location you don’t like.

Yes, there’s a lot to think about: from damp to deposits to bus stops, it is impossible to conduct too much research. Our suggestions below can help you make your life easier.

Where to find student properties

Local student letting agencies are the obvious first step in your search for housing for students at uni. Some students prefer dealing directly with the landlord.

It’s a further layer of security when you choose to use an agency, since they’ll act as a mediator between you and the landlord. In theory, this will ensure that everything in the tenancy agreement is done according to the law. But keep in mind that the price could be more expensive.

If you’re thinking of making the move to become a landlord be sure to check with your university accommodation service first. They might offer a listing of approved landlords in the region.

Questions to ask when viewing the property

Here are the most important questions you can ask at the time of viewing the uni flat or house:

Are there bills included?
Is there a Gas Certificate?
What is What is Energy Performance Certificate?
Is there a reduction for renting during summer?
The deposit, deposit plan and the terms?
When does the deposit have to be paid?
How can we claim our deposit back by the end of the lease?
Do you have an inventory list? What furnishings and appliances are included?
Are there car parks or bike storage space available?
Do you have a sample of tenancy agreement we could review?
Are there any extra or agency fees?

We’ll review all the essential things to look for when viewing the student flat or house below.

What to look for when viewing a student house

Here are 10 important things to watch out for when viewing student accommodation Leicester:

Damp

Regulations regarding the standards of renting housing are advancing However, our most recent housing survey found that 36% of the students had lived in houses with damp.

Don’t get fooled by the idea that damp looks gross. It also smells gross and can damage your furniture and clothes and cause serious health issues (especially those suffering from asthma, hayfever or other ailments that affect the way you breathe).

If you are looking at a home be sure to check the ceilings and walls – especially at the corners of windows, in corners or behind cupboards. Check for smudges on wallpaper, black mould patches and the smell of a musty odor. All of these are signs of a problem, too.

If you are moving in and find that the landlord still hasn’t resolved the damp issue, conduct some research about your rights, as you might be able to sue them.
Pest problems

Infestations are another big problem at student residences. Pests that are commonly found in student homes include mice, slugs, fruit flies, rats, cockroaches, and pigeons. Sometimes even rats.

In reality, this can be due to previous tenants leaving food waste and overflowing bins around. But it’s not fair to pay for someone else’s negligence.

Don’t be afraid to check your kitchen cabinets, work surfaces and around bins. Check for droppings, traps and slug trails.

On the upper floor, look out for pigeons nesting within the attic. They can be extremely annoying.

The location of the property

Everyone knows how important location is when choosing where to live. The shorter it takes to get up and head to your lectures, the better, right?

If a residence near a university may be a bit costly it’s crucial to know the distance from decent transport links.

The proximity to uni (or the possibility of getting to the university) isn’t the only thing to think about when evaluating the locations. When traveling to the screening make sure you look for local services like supermarkets, newsagents, doctors and pubs.

Security and safety

Unfortunately, crime levels in areas with a high percentage of students tend to be quite high. It is well-known that youngsters who go home drunk in the night are more likely to leave doors and windows unlocked, or forget their keys are still in the entryway to their home (we’ve experienced it ourselves).

Security is something that all students must take into consideration when viewing a property. Ask if there’s an alarm system to protect against burglaries and check that the doors are properly secured. Verify that the entrance to the building is secured entry, too.

If you’re worried about security, talk at your rental property’s owner. They’re not in the business of preventing burglaries either, so they’ll likely be delighted to upgrade locking mechanisms and points of entry.

If you don’t know the area thoroughly, do a bit of research to determine how secure it is. houses that are situated on main roads that are well-lit tend to be the most secure. The quieter areas might appeal to some students, but they do come with a downside in terms of crime. However, wherever your home is you live, follow our advice for safeguarding your property from burglars.

Be sure to ensure whether the building is equipped with fire alarms and extinguishers as well as fire blankets. Also, if you’re an HMO (house in multiple occupation) it must be marked emergency exits.

If you’re living in the presence of more than three students, your landlord is required to abide by stringent HMO rules. Although it’s a legal requirement it can be hard to implement. They exist for your safety and your comfort. It’s a good idea to get a better understanding on what they involve through the internet or by contacting the local authority.

White goods and appliances that are electric

Be sure to determine whether your appliances are in good condition and working properly. Make sure to know what’s covered in the tenancy contract and inventory and inventory, too. For instance, the washing machine probably will be, but the microwave may belong to the current tenants.

If you notice anything that is concerning be sure to report it to the landlord or letting agent. If you need to, include some additional words added in the tenancy agreement that assures that the landlord is aware of these issues before you move in.

It’s also worth making sure that there are enough appliances to serve the entire group. If you’re moving with six people and only have one fridge-freezer, this probably won’t work.

Also, be wary of any suspiciously-looking plug sockets and loose/exposed cables. These are extremely hazardous and should be sorted out prior to you even move in.
The water supply

If you have a group of students who use bathrooms several times a day, poor water pressure will not be a great thing for the household. While watching take a quick turn to ensure that there’s more than a drip.

You might also want to check the toilet flush to make sure it’s working as it should.

Also take note of areas of dampness or leaks. Damage from water is extremely costly and could be hazardous.

Fittings and furnishings

As mentioned above, make sure you’ve got a clear understanding of what’s in the list and not included. A beautiful leather sofa may be a major selling point however it could be gone when you move into.

It’s also worth noting that some estate agents advise that landlords who let their properties to students must offer each tenant a suitable desk and chair (if they advertise the property as a student residence).

If you can, examine mattresses for broken springs. These can become dangerous and uncomfortable over time.
Make sure that the home is well-insulated

Everyone knows that energy bills are among the highest expenses as a student (if you don’t have them included in the rent you pay). It is important to ensure that your home is properly insulated can make an impact of PS100s in bills throughout the year.

Your main concern should be double-glazed windows, safe doors, a good heating system and a dearth of drafty places – these are all pretty easy to test yourself.

Take note of the walls of the home as well. If they’re cold in the room, it’s an indication that insulation isn’t as good (and could lead to dampness within wall surfaces). Doing these checks will assist you in saving money on your bills for energy.

The roof insulation can be a bit more difficult because it involves going to the loft. Your best option here is to simply ask your landlord about how well insulated it is.

There’s nothing wrong with inspecting the roof from outside to determine if there are any tiles that are missing. If there are, this could result in leaks through the year.

Refrain from freebies and tricks

A few landlords offer ‘freebies for rent, like an enormous TV or no bills for utilities throughout the duration of the year in order to lure the tenant into. Be cautious of these kinds of gestures. While they may appear to be great deals however, the landlord could be using these extras as an excuse to rent the property at a greater cost.

This doesn’t mean that this will always be the case, though. You just have to be smart. A beautiful TV is all great and all, however if it’s adding anything more than PS400 to your annual rent, you’ll be better off buying your own.

Contact the current tenants

Nobody has a better idea of what a house and how it feels to live there than the current tenants. They’re most likely to give an honest and objective assessment, as they’ve no gain (or lose) by telling you anything different.

You can gain some knowledge by asking one inquiry: “What are the best and worst things about this home? “.

If the landlord isn’t looking watching over you it is possible that they will make you aware of anything the landlord didn’t notice or is trying to cover up. If they appear happy it’s the best testimonial you can get.

As the tenants of this house of horrors found out that they had a conversation with the previous tenants prior to moving in, chatting with them before moving in could help you avoid lots of stress later down the road.

Make sure to take photos and videos while watching to obtain second opinions from friends/family and help yourself with making decisions in the future.

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