So, semester one is drawing to a close and you still have no idea where you’ll be living next year? Don’t worry. Finding the perfect house/flat may seem like a minefield but it can actually be pretty easy and relatively stress-free.
There are some great websites out there to help you with your quest. An example of this is Manchester Student Homes. Simply use the drop-down boxes to choose your preferences and you’ll instantly be given a list of all the available student accommodation.
Another great option is to pop into one of the many estate agents around Fallowfield. You’ll once again give them your preferences and they’ll be able to share the options they have available. You’ll then be able to book visits to the properties that take your fancy.
But, before your search can begin, it’s important to consider a few key factors…
Who Do You Want to Live With?
It may seem like an obvious question but it’s worthwhile asking yourself who you want to live with. Do you want to continue living with your current flatmates or would you rather live with people that you’ve met elsewhere like on your course or through a society? Do you know your friends well enough to live with them next year?
When signing up for a house or flat, you often end up tied together financially by a joint contract. It’s a big decision and you need to be sure you’re making the right one. If you have any doubts, talk it through with your potential housemates or family and iron out any creases long before putting pen to paper.
The size of your group influences when you need to start looking for properties. One and two bedroom flats have a greater demand than supply so it’s recommended to start looking sooner rather than later. Larger houses are also let incredibly quickly so groups of six or more should also start the search as soon as possible.
For groups of three, four or five, the search can be less rushed. You can start looking as early as you want but there are a lot more properties available of this size and more sometimes become available in the new year.
Where Do You Want to Live?
Fallowfield, Victoria Park, the city centre or elsewhere; there are plenty of locations offering student friendly accommodation, each coming with varying advantages and disadvantages. But, which one will be right for you?
- Fallowfield: The hub of student living, if you want to live somewhere full of life then Fallowfield is the place for you. However, if you value peace and quiet, other locations may suit you better. Also, at almost 2 miles from the University, it may be a bit far if you’re looking for a shorter commute.
- Victoria Park: At just a stone’s throw away from the University, a major perk of Victoria Park is the ability to roll out of bed a mere 20 minutes before your lecture, have breakfast, get ready and still be on time. It’s also a lot closer to the city’s clubs and shops than Fallowfield. However, it’s a much quieter area and perhaps a little less social.
- City Centre: While it’s great to be so close to all the shops, clubs and bars central Manchester has to offer, rent prices are a lot higher in the city centre than Fallowfield or Victoria Park. It can also be a very noisy area to live in.
What’s Your Budget?
While flat screen TVs, fancy furnishings and weekly cleaners (yes, really!) may sound like a dream, if £130 a week is going to result in any of your group struggling to get by, it’s honestly not worth it. Think realistically about what you’re willing and able to spend when considering your budget.
Another thing to think about is whether to go for a ‘bills inclusive’ contract. They’re great because they mean you don’t have to worry about organising energy providers, extra payments each month or the amount of water you’re using during that blissful bath, however you’re essentially paying an admin fee for somebody else to sort your utility bills.
On average, bills tend to be between £10-£20 per person, per week, depending on the energy efficiency of the property. Add in the admin fee of ‘bills inclusive’ and you’re looking at £15-£25 per person, per week. How you choose to pay your bills is really a case of ease versus cost. Third party utilities providers such as Glide and Split The Bills exist, however this may end up costing more again.
And that’s it for the essential guide to finding your student house. Everybody’s perfect home will be different and it’s important to consider and discuss what you really want before signing any contracts. Happy house hunting!