Finding a place to live as an international student can be quite a challenge.
If you plan to study in the UK then you typically have the option of choosing between the university’s halls of residence or privately renting a flat or house. Once you have decided which one you’d like to go for, there are other things to consider in deciding on a suitable accommodation.
Here are five helpful tips for finding accommodation for your stay in the UK.
1. Determine the kind of hotel you’d like
The first thing to be thinking about when you think of accommodation is what kind of accommodation you want. There are three kinds offered in the UK: university accommodation as well as private student halls. the rental of a flat or house.
The accommodation available at universities can be varied , from a single bedroom and shared bathroom, to an en suite room in a students “flat”. Your university will usually send information on the types of rooms they offer so you can pick and apply for the one which best meets your needs. There are also self-catering or catered options.
It’s vital to be aware that university housing will only be available to undergraduates in the first year and postgraduate students. So if you’re a second or third-year undergraduate student you may not be able to choose a residence at a university.
If you’re moving to a city that is booming there is the option to lease privately-owned or purpose-built halls. These tend to be more expensive than university accommodation but they might be more modern and provide more modern rooms and facilities. Students of any age can usually apply for these.
Alternately, you can lease a house or a house with an estate agent. The best way to find a place is through an established local estate agent. Contact your university’s student union and ask them to recommend some estate agents, or to put you in touch with other international students who have rented privately in the past.
It might be difficult to visit houses in person before arriving in UK to begin your studies, so be certain to request plenty of photos and don’t hesitate to inquire if the property’s owner or estate agent can offer video tours of the property. It would be even better if you could ask someone from your family or friends to go on a tour of the property with you, but that might not always be possible.
2. Calculate your room’s cost
When selecting your accommodations make sure you consider the sum you’ll be able spend on accommodations while studying in another country.
If you’re in university accommodation, you might be able select an arrangement for payment (such as paying in the beginning of each month) or pay all one go. In the majority of university accommodation fees, the cost for services such as internet and water usage will be included in the cost.
If you’re living in a private house or in halls, it is important to locate a house that is within your budget, and has expenses that you can afford to pay monthly. Some flats or houses will include utility bills as part of the monthly rent, but others will need to be paid in addition to your rent. Make sure you know this and add allowances to your budget for each of these different costs before making a decision to sign the lease.
If you’re renting with a group of friends, make sure that you are all aware of who pays what amount prior to moving in. This will ensure there don’t have any disagreements or surprises once you’ve all settled in.
If you live in a flat or house, you could also have to pay the rent for a couple of months in advance as a deposit, so make sure to include this in your costs for moving. Consider deposit protection programs or inquire with your landlord if they’ll be protecting your deposit through an arrangement to guarantee that your deposit will be returned at the end of the lease.
3. Choose your location
The location of accommodation for students in Leicester is important and must be taken into consideration.
Research the town or city you’re moving to and select a few areas you’d love to settle in. It is possible that you want to live near or close to campus as possible, or you may prefer to be further away from the action.
Check that the area that you’re hoping to live in is secure and has access to good transportation throughout the city.
Whatever you choose, make sure that it is a good fit for your needs.
4. Search for utility or service providers and required licences
If you’re staying in an accommodation at a university or in private student accommodation, it’s likely that you won’t have to think about paying your bills or thinking about setting up the internet for yourself. It’s possible that this isn’t the case, so always examine what’s required of you prior to moving in.
If you’re renting a flat , or house, , it is necessary to do some study on internet and electricity providers. You should also have an idea of the service 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 are in the house, however having a good idea of the cost and the providers you’ll require prior leaving is always recommended.
If you’re also planning to have a TV at home or watch TV on demand from your laptop, then you’ll require TV licenses, which can be paid in one payment or over a period of monthly instalments.
Also, you’ll need to obtain some sort of insurance for contents to make certain that your possessions are protected in your new residence.
5. Make sure you know what you’ll have to bring along with you, and what’s included
The majority of halls in universities will be with a fully-furnished kitchen, however you will need to bring food and bedding (if you plan to self-cater) as a minimum. Most international students will usually purchase these items after they arrive in order to prevent them from traveling abroad.
With a flat or a house, you should check whether the home is furnished or not. The majority of international students will prefer a furnished apartment so they don’t have to think about investing in furniture when they are in the UK.
If there is an item of furniture missing from a house you’ve fallen in love with, it is possible to ask the landlord if they can provide it for you at an additional cost to be added to your rent or deposit. Many landlords will even give it free of charge in the event of a lucky enough.
