Finding a place to live for an international student is quite a task.
If you plan to study in the UK generally, you’ll have the choice between student halls of residence, or privately renting a flat , or house. After you’ve decided which one you’d like to go for, there will be other factors to consider when choosing accommodation.
Here are five ways to help you finding accommodation for students in Leicester.
1. Choose the type of accommodation you want
The first thing you need to think about when thinking about accommodation is the kind of home you’d like. There are three main types available in the UK: university accommodation and private student halls, or a rented house or flat.
University accommodation can be quite varied , from a small room and shared bathroom, to a private bathroom within a smaller space called a student “flat”. Your school will typically send details on the kinds of rooms that it has available, so you can pick and then apply for the one that best suits your requirements. You can also choose between self-catering and catered choices.
It’s crucial to note that university housing will be available primarily to first-year undergraduate students and postgraduate students. So if you are a second- or third-year undergraduate student it could be difficult to select a university residence.
If you are moving to a major city you may have the option to rent privately owned or purpose-built student halls. These are typically more expensive than university accommodations but they might be modern and offer more current facilities and room options. Students of any age typically can apply for them.
Alternately, you can rent a flat , or even a house with an estate agent. The best method to find an apartment is to contact an established local estate agent. Contact your university’s student union and ask them to recommend some estate agents or to get in touch with other international students who have previously rented privately.
It might be difficult to view properties in person before your arrival in the UK to start your studies. So be sure to request lots of photographs and don’t be scared to ask if the landlord or estate agent will offer an audio tour through the house. It’s also helpful to ask an acquaintance or family member to visit the property with you, but that might not always be possible.
2. Calculate your room’s cost
In deciding on your lodging be aware of how much you’ll be able to pay for accommodation while you’re studying in another country.
If you are staying in an accommodation at a university, you might be able to select an arrangement for payment (such as paying at the beginning of each period) or pay all one go. In most accommodation at universities fees, the cost for services like internet access and water are included in the cost.
If you’re renting out privately in a house or in halls, you’ll have to find a property that fits within your budget and comes with bills that you can afford to pay monthly. Certain apartments or houses include utility bills in the monthly rent, while other will require you to pay these on top of your rent. Make sure you check this out and include allowances in your budget for the various costs prior to taking the lease.
If you’re renting with your friends, make sure that everyone is aware of who pays how much before you move into the apartment. This will ensure there will be no surprises or disagreements once you’ve all moved in together.
If you live in a flat or home, you might also have to pay some months’ rent up front as a deposit, so make sure that you add that to your costs for moving. Find out about deposit protection schemes or inquire with your landlord if they’ll be protecting your deposit through the scheme that will ensure that your deposit will be returned at the time you end the lease.
3. Choose your location
The location in which you reside is crucial and must be taken into consideration.
Conduct a thorough research about the town or city you’re planning to move to and choose a few neighborhoods that you would be happy to live in. You may want to be close to the campus as you can, or you may want to be a little further away from the hustle and bustle.
Be sure to check that the area you’re hoping to live in is secure and has good transport links in the city, too.
No matter what you pick be sure it is a good fit for your needs.
4. Service providers or research providers. They must also have licences
If you’re in university accommodation or private student accommodation, it’s likely that you won’t have to think about paying for bills or have to think about setting up the internet for yourself. However, this may not be the case, so always check what will be required by you prior to moving into.
If you are renting a flat or house, however, you’ll need to conduct studies on electricity and internet providers. You should also have an idea of the company you will sign up with at the time you arrive. The majority of the time, you won’t be able set this up until you get into the house, however knowing about the prices and the providers that you’ll require before leaving is always advised.
If you plan to own a TV or watch TV via your laptop, you will need to purchase the TV license, which can be purchased in one lump sum or over a period of monthly instalments.
You’ll also need to take out some kind of insurance for contents to make sure all your belongings are covered when you move into your new home.
5. Find out what you’ll need to carry along with you and what is provided
Most university halls will come fully furnished, but you will need to bring bedding and kitchen equipment (if you’re self-catered) at an absolute minimum. Many international students buy these things once they arrive in order to prevent them from traveling abroad.
With a flat or a home, be sure to verify whether the property is fully furnished or not. Many international students will prefer a furnished apartment so that they don’t need to consider purchasing furniture after they arrive in the UK.
If you find a piece of furniture missing from the home you’ve fallen in love with, it is possible to inquire with the landlord about whether they could provide it for the cost of an extra charge to be added to the payment of rent, or the deposit. Many landlords will even give it free of charge in the event of a fortunate.
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