Still looking for student accommodation for 2017, here are some quick tips for you to follow while looking for the ideal accommodation!
- Budget
What can you afford?
- One-bedroom apartments tend to be the most expensive.
- The closer the rental to campus, the more expensive the rent is likely to be.
- Calculate transportation costs when determining a budget.
- Needs
Everyone has different needs, or different things that are important to them.
- Do you need your own private Bathroom?
- Do you need a furnished room, or do you have your own furniture?
- Distance
What are your transportation needs?
- Walking distance;
- On a bus route or taxi route;
- Close to work or shopping;
- Parking.
- Contract
Make sure to read the renting contract thoroughly, so you know what your responsibilities are.
- When the rent is due (so that you pay on time).
- Are the electricity included, or are you responsible for the electricity.
- Cancellation procedures. The renting contract is there to protect you, but also to protect the owner of the house, if you decide that you do not want to live in that specific house, or you cannot study anymore for a particular reason and need to move out in the middle of the year. You need to remember, that the owner now needs to look for another person to occupy the house, so there are specific rules regarding cancelling your contract.
- Additional charges, deposits, inspection fees, call out fees, late payment charges, make sure to budget for extra charges, or read in the contract how to avoid these charges.
