themoneyshed
When you are accepted into university it can be a mad rush of emotions and preparations for the future. When you earn your place at university you will only have a few months to get yourself into student accommodation to start the year in your new Home city. This can often lead to you overspending on accommodation which you simply can’t afford: however there are ways to make the right decision and save a ton of money on your new home.
Get to know the halls
Halls of residence are the standard for many students because they are on campus so they are easier than finding a rental property in the area. However, just because you are a student doesn’t mean you aren’t allowed to be picky with your residence. You have as much right as anyone else to choose where you are going to live and in what conditions. Don’t settle for a second rate hall which costs way too much money. Do your research so that you know exactly how much you should get for your money.
Go private
When you first start looking for somewhere to live as a student you will notice that people try to take advantage of the fact you are young and naive. If you go with a letting agency they will likely overcharge you for your home and it can become incredibly expensive for someone who has no money to begin with. If you want to save money on somewhere to live you may even be better off going private and finding a flat yourself. It will be cheaper overall, you will have privacy and you won’t have to move out at the end of the semester. It will give you somewhere to start building a life for yourself during your years studying. If you can’t afford a whole flat you can even be a lodger in someone’s home.
Short term letting
You are looking for a place to stay for your studies, don’t let them make you sign a contract for 12 months or more. You will only be in university off 9 mi this of the year, and you aren’t guarantee to pass and come back after that first year. Only sign a short term letting contract so that you can make the decision of where to live in the summertime.
Don’t be afraid to haggle
If you are looking for student accommodation in London by Urbanest or in a busy area you are likely going to be taken for a mug and overcharged. This is because people know you are desperate so they will take advantage of your vulnerable state. Just because you need somewhere to live doesn’t mean you should have to pay through the nose to get it. Don’t be afraid to haggle with your seller and try for a price that better fits your budget.
Get bills included
Although you may think it cheaper to handle the bills yourself, it can become expensive after a few months of having 30 minute showers and cooking lots of different food during the evenings. If you can get bills included in your rent you can use as much energy as you want with no issue.
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