Before the search

Section contents

Who to live with

Don’t rush into living with people you don’t know; contracts are binding and it can be hard to terminate them early.

Making informed decisions will lead to a safer more comfortable tenancy and positively impact your student life.

• Will they act responsibly? Respectfully?

• Will they pay their rent on time?

• Do you have similar schedules?

• Do you have similar financial freedoms?

Costs and budgets

Consider what other costs you’ll have when calculating your budget.

The website MoneyHelper.org.uk provides lots of helpful financial advice for renters. If you are in financial hardship, the College’s Student Support Fund may be able to assist you. bit.ly/student-support-fund

Cost Of Living

Living expenses will vary considerably according to your personal circumstances and lifestyle.

The College’s Money Management pages provide a rough guide of what you could expect to pay for essentials such as accommodation, food, bills, travel and leisure activities: bit.ly/ic-LivingCosts

Utility Bills

Electricity and gas

Utility companies bill monthly or quarterly. Ask for a payment schedule that works best for you. Provide correct meter readings so that you only pay for what you have used.

Prepayment meters: If your property has a ‘pay as you go’ meter, you will have a key or card which tops up the meter with credit.

Water

If you do not have a water meter you will pay a set yearly charge; you can ask for this to be paid in monthly installments.

Broadband

Typically paid monthly; do look around for the best deal!

TV Licence

If you watch live TV or use streaming, you will need a TV licence. Currently £159.00 per annum.

Insurance

Paid monthly. Endsleigh insure our residents in halls - endsleigh.co.uk

Other Costs

Don’t forget to include these other costs in your budget.

• Travel - get discounted travel with a student Oyster card

• Food

• Leisure activities

• Phone bills

• Council tax (if you live with anyone who isn’t a full-time student)

Scams

Be aware and take care

Avoid being scammed. Your safety and security is most important, so if something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts.

Action Fraud provides details of rental fraud scam that commonly target students and members of the international community.

Protect yourself against scams

• Never send money upfront before you’ve viewed a property

• Avoid listings that have no photographs

• Visit the rental property in person and check the landlord’s ID

• Check the authenticity of any safety certificates (e.g. gas safety)

• Be suspicious if you are asked to wire money through services such as Western Union

• Be sure to check that the property actually exists, photos are not a substitute

• Never pay for a deposit in cash. Use a credit card if you can – this offers more protection

• Use the land registry to check if the landlord is the legal owner of the property. See page 17.