Clearing 2020 – 6 tips for finding accommodation
Our research shows that some students think that finding accommodation is more stressful than finding a University place through clearing. Things are likely to be a little different this year, so here are our top tips for finding accommodation during clearing.
1 Don’t panic
This is standard AFS advice for students looking for a place to live. It can be tempting, having secured your University place, to panic and book the first place you find. This year you should have plenty of good choices of accommodation, as many places have been slower to fill up because of the impact of Coronavirus.
2 Cancellation policies
Normally when you find a place to live you will sign a tenancy agreement for the year. If you are concerned about the impact of Covid 19 you might want to select accommodation which has a cancellation policy. This year many of our clearing partners have introduced cancellation policies which you can see. here.
3 Keep an open mind
If you don’t get your first choice of accommodation, keep an open mind. Our research shows that students who were not allocated their number one choice were just as satisfied at the end of the year as those that did. Also, remember that University accommodation is not your only choice. There is a wide range of private halls of residence to choose from and shared housing is a great choice for those of you that don’t want to live with lots of other people.
4 Have a look if you can
Students who view their accommodation before they move in are much more likely to be satisfied with their choice of place to live. It may seem like a hassle, but it can end up saving you time and money in the long run. At present some places like Apartoare even offering zoom tours, so you can have a look around without actually visiting.
5 Be confident
Most accommodation operators are taking preparation for the new term seriously. This is particularly true of halls of residence, who are planning for socially distanced move in days, implementing regular deep cleans and providing hand sanitising facilities and other additional service to limit potential issues, so that you can get on with enjoying the new term
6 Get help if you need it
If you need any support to find accommodation use our additional services. This includes a dedicated clearing page , which provides you with information about how your University will be operating this September. You can also request help in finding a place to live and you can also chat live with our help team using the live chat service.
