You’re knee-deep in uni work. You’re already working a part-time job alongside your studies and you’re still trying to save some time to socialise and enjoy your university experience. Now suddenly, you also have to start looking for accommodation for next year.
Balancing academics, work and social life whilst searching for your next flat can feel overwhelming! Fortunately, this blog breaks down some tips to help you search more efficiently and find your dream accommodation while still having a good balance.
Think about what’s most important to you in a flat:
To find accommodation quickly, you need to have a clear idea of what you’re actually looking for. For example, you should consider which areas of your uni city you would be happy to live in. After all, if you really don’t like an area or feel safe in it, you’re unlikely to want to live there, no matter how nice the accommodation is! Some areas may be closer to university, but slightly noisier; whilst others may be quieter, but require you to commute to your classes.
You should also think about whether you want to be near gyms, shops, GP surgeries and transport links. Whilst you may still consider accommodation that is located elsewhere, having a top two or three areas can help you narrow down your search.
Similarly, you should also think about the type of accommodation you want to stay in. A studio flat may be perfect if you enjoy living alone and would relish some peace and quiet to study. On the other hand, if you’re more sociable and prefer company, you might want to share a flat with your friends. If this is the case, you should try to collectively agree on a location and price range, as well as the kind of flat or house that you would all like to live in.
Although a lot of students favour the “traditional” university experience of living in a residential flat, many private halls also offer flats which are more modern and clean-cut. As well as being able to use the on-site facilities on offer, such as gyms, cinemas and study spaces, staying in private halls also means you’ll benefit from faster repairs and enhanced security.
Overall, having a clear idea about your search criteria means you will be able to narrow down your search and eliminate unsuitable options much faster.
Use search engines to make your search more efficient:
Nowadays, any accommodation that is available will be advertised online. This is definitely something you should make the most of during your initial search, since it can save you a lot of time visiting properties in-person.
In addition, search engines such as Accommodation for Students make the process even easier, by enabling you to filter your search by location, property type and price. This means you will be able to view all of your options in one place and gives you a manageable amount to look through rather than having to troll the internet! Clicking on a property will also give you an overview of its facilities (such as gyms, common rooms, laundry and study spaces), as well as its proximity to your university and other relevant areas. It also lets you see which bills will be included in your rent to avoid any unexpected costs. If you’re short of time, you can also save properties to come back to and have a look at later. Once you have a few that you like the look of, you can enquire or book a viewing directly through our website.
Most landlords will be happy to show you around, and you may even get to see inside a room if they have one vacant. If all the properties you’re visiting are in similar areas, viewing them on the same day can also save you time.
Be strategic about when you search for accommodation:
There is no right or wrong time to start searching for accommodation. As a result, you should only begin your search when it feels right for you. You might want to time this around your studies, and focus on house-hunting when you do not have a lot of exams or deadlines. This could be at the start of a semester, during a reading week, or even your holidays.
If you are moving in with friends, you could turn it into a fun chance to socialise by combining viewings with a study date or coffee afterwards. In addition, even if you cannot attend viewings, you can still do some groundwork during busier periods, such as deciding on your priorities or researching accommodation online. This means when you do have more time, you will still be much further along with the process.
Importantly, you shouldn’t feel you have to start house-hunting just because everyone else is. This is particularly true if you’re in first year and looking to move in with your friends, since you want to make sure you are choosing the right people to live with. Although starting your search early can give you more time and reduce stress, flats come up throughout the year, so don’t feel guilty if you haven’t even considered it yet.
To sum it all up:
Searching for accommodation whilst balancing academics and work can understandably feel overwhelming. However, by focusing on your accommodation priorities and making use of online search engines, you should be able to quickly narrow down your search. In addition, being strategic with property viewings and scheduling them around your studies can reduce stress, whilst still giving you sufficient time to find a flat you love. Using these steps, we’re sure you’ll find your dream accommodation for next year and we will be here to support you for the whole journey!
