Planning
Areas of London
36
Getting around
56
Staying safe
58
Budgeting and Council Tax
62
Living with friends
69 35
Areas of London
Top student tips
London is a huge sprawling city. If you are studying at a college or university outside central London, you may be able to find accommodation that is just a short bus ride away from college, or even within walking distance. Universities in east and south east London, in particular, are situated in areas where there is a relatively good supply of inexpensive private sector housing. If you are studying at a college or university in central London, i.e. in Bloomsbury, Kensington, Paddington or the West End, getting out of bed and strolling to your lectures is a very expensive ambition. Private sector accommodation in central and west London is not only expensive, but also usually fairly cramped and there is very little available for large groups of more than three persons. This means that most students live outside travel zone 1, even if they are studying in Central London. For any student looking for housing there are three essential items that you will need: Survey Facts According to our 2013 survey the average travelling time for students to College was 22 minutes. 36
London Student Housing Guide
1 A comprehensive street map of London (not a tourist one, which only covers the city centre). 2 A travel card (see Getting Around section pages 56-57 for more information). 3 A mobile phone.
www.studenthousing.lon.ac.uk
“Remember that in the city centre, everything is more expensive, not just rents. There are no cheap supermarkets in central London.” “In terms of travelling time, how close you are to a tube is usually more important than how far you are from your destination.” “When choosing a flat make sure not only that you get home during the day but that there is a night bus nearby or you will be paying large taxi bills every time you have a night out.” “Remember, if you don’t have access to a car any shopping you buy will have to be carried and that this can be expensive if you are using a corner shop. It is much better to try and rent reasonably near a supermarket and if possible buy some things in bulk with other flatmates.” “When you are seriously interested in a property, don’t just look at the surrounding area during the daytime. Go back at night and see if you still like it.” A good website showing students experiences of living in different parts of London is http://commonplace.arts. ac.uk/where-i-live
Planning
37
London postcodes and average rents
NW7
N15
N8
NW11
N6
N4
N19 NW2 NW3
NW8
W13
W5
W3
W14
W6
SW13
More than £160
2
SE11 SW8
SW4 SW18
SW19
4
SW12
E1
3
SE2
SE8
SE21
London Student Housing Guide
SE4
SE13 SE12
SE23
SE9
SE6
SE26
SE27 SE19
SE25
38
SE3
SE15
SE22
SE18
SE7
SE14
SW20
Less than £90
SE28
SE10
SE16
SE24
SW16
E6 E16
E14
SE17
SW2
E13
E3
2
SW9
SW11 SW15
C
SE5
SW17
£90 - £99
E15
E2
1
1
SW1
SW7
SW14
£120 - £159 £100 - £119
E7 E9
SE1
W8
SW5 SW3 SW 10 SW6
W4
E8
WC
W1
W2
W11
W12
NW1
W9
W10
W7
E12
E5
N5
N7
NW5
E11 E10
N16
N1
NW6
NW10
E18 E17
N2
NW4
N18 N17
N22
N10
E4
N9
N13
N11
N12 N3
NW9
N21
N14
N20
London Rents there is a useful guide to average rents on the Mayor of London’s website: www.london.gov.uk/ rents
SE20
Rents are based on an average rent for a room in a shared flat/house and are quoted exclusive of bills. Prices quoted are for single occupancy of a room. Within each postcode there will be a wide range of rents.
www.studenthousing.lon.ac.uk
North N1 Shoreditch, Islington N2 East Finchley N3 Finchley N4 Finsbury Park, Manor House N5 Arsenal, Drayton Park N6 Highgate N7 Tufnell Park, Holloway N8 Turnpike Lane N9 Lower Edmonton N10 Muswell Hill N11 Bounds Green, Frien Barnet N12 Woodside Park, North Finchley N13 Palmers Green N14 Southgate, Oakwood, Arnos Grove N15 South Tottenham, Seven Sisters N16 Stoke Newington, Stamford Hill N17 Tottenham N18 Upper Edmonton N19 Upper Holloway, Archway N20 Totteridge, Whetstone N21 Winchmore Hill N22 Wood Green East East E1 Whitechapel, Mile End E2 Bethnal Green, Aldgate, Stepney E3 Bow E4 Chingford E5 Clapton E6 East Ham
E7 Forest Gate E8 Dalston E9 Victoria Park, Homerton E10 Leyton E11 Snaresbrook E12 Manor Park E13 Plaistow, West Ham E14 Poplar, Isle of Dogs E15 Stratford E16 Canning Town E17 Walthamstow E18 Woodford South East SE1 Bermondsey, Lambeth SE2 Abbey Wood SE3 Kidbrooke, Blackheath SE4 Brockley SE5 Camberwell, Denmark Hill SE6 Catford, Bellingham SE7 Charlton SE8 Deptford SE9 Mottingham, Eltham SE10 Greenwich SE11 Vauxhall, Oval, Kennington SE12 Lee SE13 Lewisham, Hither Green SE14 New Cross SE15 Peckham, Southwark SE16 Rotherhithe SE17 Walworth SE18 Shooters Hill, Woolwich, Plumstead SE19 Norwood SE20 Penge SE21 Dulwich
SE22 East Dulwich SE23 Forest Hill SE24 Herne Hill SE25 South Norwood SE26 Sydenham SE27 West Norwood SE28 Thamesmead South West SW1 Victoria, Pimlico, Belgravia SW2 Brixton, Tulse Hill SW3 Chelsea SW4 Clapham SW5 Earls Court SW6 Fulham, Parsons Green SW7 South Kensington, Knightsbridge SW8 South Lambeth SW9 Stockwell SW10 West Brompton SW11 Battersea SW12 Balham SW13 Barnes SW14 East Sheen, Mortlake SW15 Putney, Roehampton SW16 Streatham SW17 Tooting SW18 Southfields, Wandsworth SW19 Wimbledon, Colliers Wood SW20 Raynes Park, West Wimbledon West W1 West End, Soho, Mayfair W2 Bayswater, Paddington, W3 Acton
W4 Turnham Green, Chiswick W5 Ealing W6 Hammersmith, Ravenscourt Park W7 Hanwell W8 Kensington W9 Maida Vale, Warwick Avenue W10 North Kensington W11 Notting Hill, Holland Park W12 White City, Shepherds Bush W13 West Ealing W14 West Kensington North West NW1 Camden Town, Chalk Farm NW2 Dollis Hill, Willesden Green NW3 Hampstead, Belsize Park NW4 Hendon NW5 Kentish Town, Gospel Oak NW6 Kilburn, West Hampstead NW7 Mill Hill NW8 St John’s Wood NW9 Colindale NW10 Willesden, Harlesden, Kensal Green NW11 Brent Cross, Golders Green Central EC1/3/4 City of London EC2 Barbican WC1 Bloomsbury WC2 The Strand, Holborn Planning
39
I ♥ North London
My London UAL student living in Hoxton Open Spaces “The area is pretty student heavy and Alexandra Palace (N22): although it’s not the cleanest place in Ally Pally has dominated the city its got a certain grubby charm to it. Half hipster retreat, half council the North London skyline estate. There is plenty of greenery and for over 125 years. Set if you need to get away from the buzz in undulating parkland or just enjoy the sun there is Hoxton with panoramic views of Square or Shoreditch Park just a short the capital, the Palace walk away.” is a major recreation and visitor attraction, as well as being one of London’s largest exhibition and concert venues. Finsbury Park (N4): the largest park in North London and venue for open air music festivals during the Summer. Recent investment has brought a nice new café and children’s play area.
Finsbury Park N4 40
London Student Housing Guide
Sports North London is home to two popular football teams, Arsenal (N5) and Tottenham (N17). There is an excellent open air swimming pool on Park Road in Crouch End (N8). Museums and Galleries White Cube Gallery (N1) is one of the most famous contemporary art galleries in London, based in the very trendy Hoxton Square. The London Canal Museum is in Kings Cross (N1).
Parkland Walk (N4–N6): a unique urban nature reserve. Stretching for four miles, the path follows the course of a disused railway line running from Finsbury Park through Highgate to Alexandra Palace.
My London School of Advanced Study student in Stoke Newington N16
Highgate Woods/Queens Wood (N6): two beautiful woodland parks on opposite sides of the road to each other, near Highgate tube. Highgate Woods has a large children’s playground and very popular open air café/restaurant and the smaller Queen’s Wood also has a café serving hot food.
“ Church Street boasts funky shops: vintage clothing, art shops, four great secondhand bookshops and a whole array of excellent ethnic restaurants, including what I believe to be the best Indian curry in London, Rasa.”
www.studenthousing.lon.ac.uk
Tottenham Hotspur’s white hart lane stadium N17
Upper Street N1
screen on the green n1
Green Lanes n4 Planning
41
I ♥ North West London Open spaces Hampstead Heath (NW3) is probably the most famous open space in London. There are views from Parliament Hill on the heath, right the way across London.
My London Southbank University student living in Kentish Town NW5
Regents Park NW1
Regents Park (NW1) has an open air theatre that is popular in summer and the ever-popular London Zoo. Primrose Hill (NW1) is located on the north side of Regents Park with clear views across central London.
London Zoo NW1
Museums, galleries and attractions The Roundhouse (NW1) is a prestige arts centre offering performing arts rehearsal space, music studios and practice rooms. Museums include: The Freud Museum, Kenwood House and Keats House, all in NW3. The famous British Library is in NW1. St Pancras Railway Station NW1 42
London Student Housing Guide
“ The perfect halfway point between the buzz of Camden and the refined Hampstead/ Highgate area for students. Especially good for access to Heath and Regent’s Park. The streets are a little dingy, but well worth the savings in rent for being close to nicer areas.”
My London Imperial College student living in NW3 “Hampstead Heath is absolutely wonderful to hang out, perfect for jogging, picnics, kiting or just relaxing in the sun!”
There are theatres across North West London including Hampstead Theatre (NW3) and the Tricycle cinema and theatre (NW6). Markets Camden market (NW1) is one of the busiest and probably the best known markets in London. You can buy almost anything here (and wonder afterwards why you did!). Sports Lords cricket ground, often referred to as the “Home of Cricket”, is in nw8. For the brave, there are unheated men’s and women’s bathing ponds on Hampstead Heath and a children’s paddling pool.
Camden Lock NW1
Camden Lock NW1 www.studenthousing.lon.ac.uk
Hampstead Heath NW3
Kenwood House NW3 Planning
43
I ♥ East London Markets Due to its history of being the main shipping area in London, East London is home to some of the most famous markets and independent shopping areas in London.
Open spaces Victoria Park (E3) was built in the 1840s to persuade working class East Enders away from the West End parks (Hyde Park, Regents Park) where their presence would disturb the local gentry. Whatever its My London University of the Arts origins, this is now one of the most student in Bow E3 attractive open spaces in London. Hackney Marshes (E5) holds the world record for the highest number (88) of full-sized football pitches in one place. Museums and galleries East London has traditionally been home to a large community of artists which means that there are many art galleries in the area. The most famous is the Whitechapel Art Gallery (E1).
Columbia Road Flower Market E2 44
London Student Housing Guide
The Geffrye Museum (E2) is a popular museum showing English interior design from the 17th century onwards.
“ One of the prettier parts of East London, a large part of Bow is protected by conservation area status. There are a wide range of affordable markets, shops, restaurants, and pubs in the area. Bow has the advantage of being close enough to the centre to make travel easy, while offering lots of cheaper alternatives locally. Bow is extremely well connected for public transport (District, Hammersmith & city and Central lines, DLR and buses).” www.studenthousing.lon.ac.uk
Victoria Park E3
Canary Wharf E14
My London University of the Arts student in Whitechapel E1 “ Spitalfields market is great every sunday- brick lane is 5 mins walk away. Old street is a bus away and good for going out in evenings. If you’re a design student I really recommend this area as it has loads of inspiring boutiques and small design companies.”
East London markets range from speciality markets such as Columbia Road Flower market to more general markets held at Brick Lane, and Spitalfields. Walthamstow Market (E17) claims to be the longest daily street market in Europe Sports The Olympics has left a legacy of world class sports venues for both elite athletes and the local community to train and compete in. From the Aquatics centre to the Olympics Stadium, East London now has a range of sporting facilities unmatched in Europe. Planning
45
Designer studios Vibrant communal areas Quiet study spaces Scape students are surrounded by a buzzing social community, always in touch with the best of London. Our friendly team are always on hand to help from answering questions to organising events. You can find stunning communal areas, on-site maintenance and 24 hour reception and security at all our London locations.
Student Accommodation
£230 PER WE
EK
Fantastic student rooms in Zone 1 All inclusive rents Stylish Studios and En Suites
scapeliving.com info@scapeliving.com
FROM
London
FREE 16MB Broadband with WiFi FREE onsite gym & social spaces
www.loveiq.co.uk/london
I ♥ South East London
My London UCL student living in London Bridge SE1
Brockwell Lido SE24
Open spaces Greenwich (SE10) is home to the Greenwich Royal Observatory and a fantastic park. The walk along the South Bank of the Thames from Waterloo to Tower Bridge is one of the best in London.
Globe Theatre SE1 48
London Student Housing Guide
Brockwell Park (SE24) has the Brockwell Lido (an open air swimming pool).
“ London Bridge is a real ‘trendy’ area. The flat is only a 2-min walk from the river Thames and Tower Bridge, where many bars and pubs are easily accessible. If you do not feel like closing yourself in a pub, just pay for your drink, bring it out and enjoy it by the river. The Tate Modern and thee Millennium Bridge are only a 15-min walk.”
My London Southbank University student living in Camberwell SE5 “ I love Camberwell, very lively, the people are very friendly (a village like atmosphere). Great bars, restaurant, parks . . . very close to the west-end, loads of night buses. 8/10. ”
Millennium Dome SE10
Sports Charlton Athletic (SE7) and Millwall (SE16) are the local football teams. Attendance at home games for Charlton top 25,000. Museums, galleries and attractions SE1 is home to The Design Museum, Imperial War Museum, Tate Modern art gallery, London Aquarium and London Eye. The South Bank centre, also in se1, is a large arts complex covering music, dance, literature and the visual arts. Greenwich (SE10) has the National Maritime Museum and the Millennium Dome. SE23 has the Horniman Museum. For entertainment SE1 is home to the following theatres: The National, Shakespeare’s Globe and the Young Vic. There are a number of clubs popular with students in both Camberwell (SE5) and New Cross (SE14). Markets Borough market (SE1) is the most famous food market in London. Greenwich market (SE10) is most famous for antiques and furniture, East Street (SE17) for almost everything.
Tate Modern SE1 www.studenthousing.lon.ac.uk
Planning
49
I ♥ South West London
Houses of Parliament SW1
Museums, galleries and attractions SW7 has both the Victoria and Albert and Natural History Museums. Famous buildings in South West London include Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament (SW1), the Royal Albert Hall (SW7) and Battersea Power Station (SW11). Tate Britain (SW1) is the national gallery of British art.
Richmond Park Near SW15
Sport SW19 is home to Wimbledon tennis club, whilst SW9 has the Oval cricket ground. SW6 is home to both Chelsea and Fulham football clubs.
Oval SW9
My London Imperial College student living in Earls Court SW6 “ Surrounded by posh neighbourhoods (Chelsea, Kensington, parts of Fulham). 10 mins walk from great pubs/bars/cafes on Old Brompton Road and around Fulham Broadway. Fairly wealthy area so seems safe, even coming back late at night.” 50
London Student Housing Guide
Open Spaces Richmond Park (next to SW15) is the largest open space in London. Within its grounds deer, swans, and even 1,000 species of beetle can be found. Kew Gardens (next to SW15): Kew Gardens is one of the great botanical gardens of the world. Spread over 132 hectares, the gardens are designated a World Heritage Site, and contain 38,000 different plant species. There is a charge for entry.
Brockwell Park (SW9) and Clapham Common (SW4) are surrounded by more urban areas. London Wetlands Centre (SW13) is an award winning centre. It is the first project of its kind in the world – more than 40 hectares of created wetlands in the heart of a capital city. Opened in 2,000, it offers visitors the chance to see rare wetland wildlife just a stone’s throw from Central London. www.studenthousing.lon.ac.uk
Granville Market SW2
My London UAL student living in Brixton SW4 “Brixton has a really nice village feel, it’s bustly and lively and has managed so far to hold on to it’s incredible street markets and independent shops as well as letting in a few handy chains. It has a totally unique feel that you won’t find anywhere else in London. There’s lots of creative goings on and it seems like people who live in Brixton really love it here!
Brixton SW2 Planning
51
I ♥ West London
Old Ship W6
My London Imperial student in Shepherds Bush W12
Open spaces Hyde Park (W2) is the “ Well connected area with many tubes, most famous park in buses pubs, clubs and shops. Amazing market every day of the week as well West London. Hyde Park as the delights of Hammersmith close has Speaker’s Corner by. Good mixed community with a and is often either the wide variety of shops to browse in but starting or end point for can be a little smelly, with the M40 political demonstrations. very close by.” It is the site of many Museums, galleries and outdoor concerts and the Serpentine Gallery which is free attractions of charge and well worth a visit. The Royal Academy of Arts and the Handel House Museum Holland Park (W11) is widely are both in W1. Popular tourist regarded as one of the most attractions such as Madame romantic parks in London, due Tussaud’s and the Planetarium to its abundant wildlife and are also in this postcode. secluded hideaways. Further west in Hammersmith (W6) you can find the excellent Riverside Studios arts centre whilst W12 has the Shepherd’s Bush Empire music venue.
Shepherd’s Bush Empire w12 52
London Student Housing Guide
www.studenthousing.lon.ac.uk
The Notting Hill Carnival in W11 is an annual event which takes place each August, over three days. It is Europe’s largest street festival with over a million people attending.
Notting Hill CarniVal W11
My London Royal Holloway student living in Hammersmith W6 “ It is centrally located but at the same time you are not in the middle of hectic London. It is just 15 minutes walk from High Street Kensington and 15 minutes tube ride to Piccadilly. Lively, nice and quiet, Hammersmith has been totally transformed in the last few years with movie theatres, shops, a huge range of buses and 3 tube lines. Its proximity to the Thames means you can have a walk beside the river anytime. All in all, a great choice in London.”
It is principally a celebration of Caribbean culture (music, food, costumes etc).
Portobello Market W11
Markets Portobello market (W11) is the world’s largest antiques market, also selling food and clothes. Rather more down to earth is Shepherd’s Bush market (W12) mainly food, clothes etc. Sports The home of English football since 1923, the new Wembley stadium opened in Spring 2007 and quickly re-established itself as the country’s leading venue for sports events.
Little Venice W9 Planning
53
I ♥ Central London Theatreland WC2
COVENT GARDEN WC2
My London Courtauld Institute Student living in Clerkenwell EC1 “ Although in central London, Clerkenwell is removed from the bustle of the city and is quite safe. Nearby Angel offers an interesting array of social outlets. However, in the immediate vicinity, because a lot of the shops and restaurants rely on city workers, they are closed at the weekend.” 54
London Student Housing Guide
Open spaces There are very few open spaces in central London. However, there are some attractive squares. Russell Square in WC1 is one example. There have been some initiatives to make central London more pedestrian friendly in recent years. The closing of the busy road in front of the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square (WC2) is one particularly successful example. The effects of these initiatives have been to make central London a far more inviting place to walk around.
Chinatown WC2
Museums, galleries and attractions Chinatown in WC2 has many fantastic restaurants. For entertainment, your choices are almost unlimited. Soho and Covent Garden (WC2) are home to a range of lively bars and clubs. Leicester Square hosts numerous film premieres.
My London UCL Student Living in Bloomsbury WC1 “ Quiet pedestrianised area with cafes, small restaurants, charity shops and beauty parlours. Very safe and surrounded by parks, everything is nearby – cinema, universities, central London, Covent Garden, Fleet Street etc. On the downside, accommodation is often small and/ or expensive and hard to find. Council housing can look intimidating if you aren’t used to it, and it’s central so can be noisy sometimes – fire engines etc.”
If you want culture then there are dozens of theatres and if you go to the more sedate EC2, you will find the Barbican Arts centre. Museums include the following: The British Museum (WC1), Sir John Soames (WC2), London Transport (WC2) and Museum of London (EC2). www.studenthousing.lon.ac.uk
Leicester Square WC2
Art galleries include the following: The National (WC2), National Portrait (WC2) and Courtauld (WC2). Built to commemorate the Great Fire which devastated the City of London in 1666, the Monument (EC4) offers panoramic views over London. The famous St Paul’s Cathedral is nearby and also offers stunning views. You can walk from here across the Thames on the Millennium bridge to the Tate Modern. Markets Covent Garden (WC2) is an Italian-style piazza packed with restaurants, bars and fashionable boutiques. At the heart of the Covent Garden piazza lies the famous market. The large glass covered building comprises several arcades of fashionable boutiques, cafés and an arts and crafts market. In the open piazza jugglers, mime artists, variety acts and musicians entertain the crowds. Sports Although there are hundreds of private gyms in central London, due to the lack of open space there are not many playing fields and no major sports stadiums. However, in winter there is open air ice skating at the Courtauld (WC2). Planning
55
Getting around
London is divided into six travel zones; zone 1 covers Central London and zone 6 is furthest away from the centre. How much you need to pay for transport depends on where you are studying, where you live and probably also where you work. Familiarise yourself with travel routes to college (and work, if appropriate) before you set out house-hunting; and remember that the underground is not the only public transport available: there are also buses, overground trains, Docklands Light Railway and even Thames river boats. Also be aware that by midnight, most public transport will have closed down, apart from night buses.
monthly or even annual period ticket is more economical than paying for single journeys. There’s good news for students as they can benefit from lower cost period tickets (travelcards and bus passes). Anyone with a valid Student Photocard can buy travelcards and bus passes at 30% off the equivalent adult fare. Both full time and some part time students can apply.
If you are likely to travel into college or university most weekdays, buying a weekly,
Travelcard costs with student discount
For detailed information on the 18+ Student Scheme go to www.tfl.gov.uk (choose: Tickets A Child and students Discounts A Students over 18 ) or phone 0845 330 9876 and select the ‘Student Oyster Photocard’ option. Prices accurate at time of publication but usually increase in January of each year.
See the map on the inside back cover for the size and position of the zones
If you are not going to travel into Zone 1, or are only going to do so rarely, it is possible to buy travelcards which are cheaper:
Prices inc Zone 1 Zones 1 - 2 Zones 1 - 3 Zones 1 - 4 Zones 1 - 5 Zones 1 - 6
7 Day £21.20 £24.90 £30.50 £36.20 £38.90
Monthly £81.50 £95.70 £117.20 £139.10 £149.40
Annual £848 £996 £1,220 £1,448 £1,556
Cycling can be the cheapest, healthiest and fastest way of getting around London. Despite improvements to cycle routes, however, London’s roads can be dangerous. Transport for London’s website provides a good cycling code and advice about training, as well as tips for staying safe www.tfl.gov.uk (choose: Road Users A Cycling).
Useful websites: www.oystercard.com www.tfl.gov.uk 56
London Student Housing Guide
www.studenthousing.lon.ac.uk
Planning
57
Staying safe
Like all large metropolitan cities London has its fair share of crime. Students own more expensive consumer goods per head than the rest of the population, for example 70% own a computer or laptop and 86% have a mobile phone. Home Office statistics indicate that 1 in 3 students is the victim of a crime. Don’t become a statistic. Following these simple tips will make you feel more secure – and could just make all the difference. Good safety advice can also be obtained through: www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Street safety
Never take personal safety for granted. Use your instincts – if you don’t feel safe, take action. When going out follow the PLAN. Prepare Think ‘How do I get there?’ and ‘How do I get back?’ before you go. Tell someone where you are going, who with, and when you’ll be back. Think when you drink. Everyone is more vulnerable to crime when they’ve been drinking. If you’re planning a big night out, arrange beforehand to go home with friends, or in a taxi. Your safety is more important than the cost of a taxi!
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London Student Housing Guide
www.studenthousing.lon.ac.uk
Look confident Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that let you move easily. Remember your body language – stand tall and look like you know where you’re going. Don’t look like a victim. Carry a personal attack alarm (and know how to use it), emergency phone numbers (including the number to cancel your credit cards), some change, a phone card and your keys in a safe pocket. Avoid risks and be aware Be aware – keep looking at and listening to what’s happening around you. Keep one hand free – not shoved in your pocket or cluttered up with shopping. Avoid showing valuable items in public places. Try not to use your mobile phone in the street and particularly when existing underground stations. If you have to make a call, keep an eye on who’s around. Watch It – Use cash machines wisely, in groups, and during the day if possible. Put your card and cash away quickly and be aware of who’s around you. Keep your belongings with you at all times. Wear your bag across your body. Never take your safety for granted! Never say to yourself ‘It only happens to other people’. ‘It’s only a short journey’. ‘They look honest’. The above points are a guide only. Trust your instincts – if you feel something is wrong, it makes sense to take action to avoid danger.
Planning
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Safety at home Know the risk Twice as many burglaries happen in private homes or flats as in university halls. Make sure all the doors and windows have good locks before you move in.
Keys Don’t leave spare keys outside, or in a garage or shed. And keep house and car keys out of sight in the house – car theft through burglary is on the rise.
Lock it up Half of all burglaries happen on the spur of the moment through unlocked doors or windows. Always lock your doors and windows.
Insurance The average cost of a student burglary is £1,200. Insurance is cheaper! At least get cover for your most valuable gear like your computer, tablet, phone, TV and bicycle. Keep lists of the make, model and serial numbers of your electronic items to help police track them down if they are stolen.
Deadlocks Burglars who come through windows hate them because you need a key to open deadlocks from the inside as well as the outside. If you have them – use them. Don’t show it off Make sure your TV, video, computer and other valuables can’t be seen from the window, and never leave cash lying around.
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London Student Housing Guide
UV marking Use an ultraviolet pen to mark your stuff with your university name and student ID number. They’re very cheap, and many Student Unions even give them away for free.
www.studenthousing.lon.ac.uk
Holidays If you can’t take your valuables with you during the Christmas, Easter and summer holidays, arrange for them to be held in secure storage. or left with a friend. Safety first If you see signs of a break-in – like smashed windows or open doors – don’t go in. Go to a friend or neighbour’s house and call the police.
Emergency & useful contacts Police, Fire or Ambulance
999
101 for non emergency police calls
London Victim Support
0845 30 30 900
www.vslondon.org
Crime Stoppers
0800 555 111
www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Rape Crisis
0808 802 9999
www.rapecrisis.org.uk
National drugs helpline
0800 77 66 00
www.talktofrank.com
Samaritans
08457 90 90 90
www.samaritans.org
Nightline
0207 631 0101
www.nightline.org.uk
NHS direct
111
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/
Planning
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Budgeting and Council Tax
We estimate the average student living costs in London for the academic year 2013-14 to be between £11,000 and £16,000 depending on your spending habits and available income. More than a third of this will go on accommodation costs. The majority of UK students will be eligible for statutory student support, which largely comprises of a loan for tuition fees and help with living costs through the maintenance loan and (depending on your circumstances) the maintenance grant. New students in 2013 may also be able to apply for additional support to offset their higher fees. Student funding rates will differ slightly depending on when you started your studies, but you may see a small increase next year. Never the less the cost of living continues to increase therefore it is more important than ever to plan your finances for the year ahead.
Make sure you budget enough for food! 62
London Student Housing Guide
There is some extra funding that can be claimed such as college bursaries and
scholarships, hardship funds, and benefits for students with disabilities/dependants, but these are means-tested and fairly meagre. Seek advice if you think you have a right to claim. Realistically, the majority of students will have to work to fund their education. We estimate that over 50% of students currently work partwww.studenthousing.lon.ac.uk
time. The good news is that in London there are plenty of opportunities for part time work even in the current economic climate but don’t forget to leave enough time for your studies! No matter how much income you have it is still useful to learn the art of budgeting to ensure that you do not spend beyond your means and get into problems with debt. This is simple if you take the time out initially to evaluate your costs and once you are happy with your budget try to stick to it. If you spend more than you originally intended don’t give up, go back to it and see where you miscalculated and if there is anywhere you can reduce your spending or raise more money to cover your costs. In order for a budget to be effective it must be accurate and a true reflection of your spending. It can change from month to month, you just need to be aware of these fluctuations and plan for bigger expenditure (such as a deposit for your new home in the next academic year).
If you are not sure what you are spending and where, keep a record of all your There are 963,000 expenditure for a part-time jobs in couple of weeks London to a month and use this to draw up your budget. You may be surprised by what you see. If you are spending more than you have, then you need to prioritise - rent, food, Of course costs and travel are your essential items! Once you have paid for them you can allocate what is left over for personal items, leisure and entertainment. If you don’t have enough money to cover the essential items seek advice from your college about hardship funds and finding cheaper accommodation. To give you an idea of the kinds of costs that you should be budgeting for, we have prepared a sample budget sheet (see pages 66-67). The figures we have used are based on averages reported through student surveys over the past few years. This is not Planning
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No idea what you are spending or where, download this useful app from Credit Action www. spendometer.co.uk
Council Tax
a base for the minimum student expenditure; the Government evaluates student spending to be much lower - ÂŁ107 per week for living costs after rent, for a single student. But it can give you an idea of the average spend - it is possible to live on a lot less and indeed a lot more, but this will depend on your own means and needs. If you require advice on budgeting or money management, please contact your College Welfare or Advice Service who can help you draw up a budget, identify additional sources of income and advise you on reducing your expenditure as well as providing you with the tools you need to keep your spending under control.
Make yourself aware of the rules surrounding Council Tax in order to avoid any unpleasant surprises. What is Council Tax? It is a charge made by Local Authorities on residential properties to pay for local public services. It is not a tax on an individual Who has to pay the Council Tax? Most non-students and part-time students who are over 18.
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Are all students exempt from Council Tax? Only properties occupied by all full-time students are exempt. A full time course of education is sometimes defined as one which requires on average at least 21 hours of study a week and 24 weeks of attendance each year but it may be less if your college or university defines your course as being full-time. What if we have a group of full-time students and nonstudents? Where students share with part-time or non-students the full-time students will be disregarded for the purposes of calculating the household’s bill. However, it is for the members of the household to decide how the bill should be apportioned and paid as with any other household bill. Local authorities are not able
to bill or enforce payment from any full-time student member of the household. What about a student with a spouse and/or dependants? The spouse and dependants of an international student should also be treated as if they are full-time students provided they are not British citizens and are prevented from working or claiming welfare benefits by the terms of their leave to remain in the UK. We are aware that some students in this situation have had difficulties with their local council; seek advice early if your partner receives a bill. A UK student sharing a flat just with their partner will be entitled to a 25% discount on their Council Tax bill (provided that their spouse is not also a full-time student in which case they will be entitled to the full exemption).
The best way for a full-time student to avoid problems with their local authority on the payment, or as it should probably be, non-payment of Council Tax is: 1 To make sure that you only share with other full-time students. 2 To get from your College Registry or School Office, an exemption certificate stating that you are a full time student and send it your local authority (keep a copy). If you do not know the relevant local authority then ask your Landlord/ Agent. Planning
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Basics
Annual
Per Person per week
Rent (please see page 79-80 for advice on negotiating rent)
£6,452.00
£124.07
Water Rates (between 3)
£364.00
£2.33
Electricity (between 3)
£594.00
£3.81
Gas (between 3)
£794.00
£5.09
Mobile Phone
£369.00
£7.10
Annual
Per Person per week
UK student - loan 2013/14*
£5,998.00
£115.35
Part-time and vacation work (if you earn under £7,475 you will not be liable for tax - claim it back at the end of the year if you have paid)
£4,000.00
£76.92
Maintenance Grant
£3,354.00
£62.50
Personal Insurance
£123.00
£2.36
College Bursary (check with your institution)
£1,000.00
£19.23
TV Licence (between 3)
£145.50
£0.93
Other income (e.g. Parents, Access to Learning Fund, Benefits, Charities)
£1,200.00
£23.08
Subtotal
£145.69
INDIVIDUAK WEEKLY INCOME TOTAL
£299.08
Additional individual expenses
Annual
Per Person per week
BALANCE
£14.11
Student Oyster Travel card Zone1-2 (This is an annual season ticket, if you intend to go home for the summer, buying a monthly card may be cheaper)
£848.00
16.31
Food
£2,929.00
£56.33
Books & Stationery
£500.00
£9.62
Household goods/costs (e.g. laundry, dry cleaning, cleaning products, household items)
£426.00
£8.19
Personal items (clothing, CDs, DVD, toiletries etc.)
£819.00
£15.75
Entertainment/Leisure/Socialising
£1,000.00
£19.23
Travel Home/Other travel
£300.00
£5.77
Birthdays and Christmas
£120.00
£2.31
Miscellaneous/Emergencies
£300.00
£5.77
Tuition fees have been omitted as they are variable and a loan is available
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Possible Income
Subtotal
£139.28
INDIVIDUAL WEEKLY EXPENDITURE TOTAL
£284.97
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*If you are eligible for a maintenance grant, your student loan is reduced unless you get a Special Support Grant. The figure quoted relates to students entitled to the full Maintenance Grant who enter study in 2013. Please see www.direct. gov.uk/studentfinance for more info Other things to bear in mind:
Annual
Per Person per week
Car insurance, road tax & fuel
£1,872.00
£36.00
Gym/sport’s club membership
£312.00
£6.00
Students studying science, engineering and medics may have extra costs
All costs are based on results from surveys conducted by DfES, Natwest Bank, The Halifax, The Royal Bank of Scotland and NUS. Figures have been adjusted using annual increases observed by regulatory bodies and data from the Office for National Statistics to give an estimate of actual costs in 2013/14.
Don’t wait until you’re in debt to see the Welfare/Student Adviser, book an appointment straight away if your budget does not balance!
Planning
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Energy savings Most landlords are required to produce an Energy Performance Certificate when new tenancies are created. Ask to see it. The certificate Informs the tenant of the property’s energy performance rating and helps them to make a judgement about how cost effective the property may be - the rent may be low, but it could cost a fortune to heat!
It may seem difficult to save energy and cut down bills when you’re the tenant, but there are some things which you can do to cut the bills - even a little saving can make a difference to your bank balance and carbon footprint:
Living with friends
1 Switch to Energy Saving light bulbs, they last longer and use less energy. Sometimes you can get them for free from your energy supplier or local council.
There are many people whose company you can enjoy in the Student Union bar but who you would not enjoy living with. Successfully sharing a house with someone requires a completely different set of skills from enjoying a good night out with them or even living in the same corridor in a College or University residence. Consider the following points when choosing your housemates:
2 Turn the lights off! If you are not in the room it’s just wasting energy. The same applies for televisions, computers and other electronic equipment. Remember if something is on standby it is still using energy - switch it off! 3 Feeling a draft. Draft proofing doesn’t have to be high-tech or expensive. If you are feeling a draft from the doors and windows you can buy some draft excluding tape from your local DIY shop to block any gaps. Make sure you don’t cause a mess and if in doubt ask the landlord if s/he can see to it. 4 If you are buying any electrical goods for your home, check their efficiency. Always look for the Energy Saving Recommended Logo. 5 Talk to your landlord about some additional insulation in your home; a jacket for the water tank, loft insulation etc. There is also a Landlord Energy Saving Allowance which offsets improvements against tax. Your landlord might not be aware of this; it is worth bringing it to their attention if it could lead to a warmer home and lower bills.
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Tidiness: Are you a bit of a clean freak, can you live with some clutter or would you say that tidiness has never been hugely important to you? Noise: Do you want peace and quiet to study or do you want to live in a party house? Sleeping: Do you like to be in bed at a reasonable hour to cope with your early starts or do you usually stay up and out all night and in bed during the day?
Friends/ partners staying overnight and for longer periods: If the flat is for four, how will you feel when you are forced into sharing with six or seven? Do you all have a comparable income? Tensions can occur when some of the group can go pubbing and clubbing a lot and one or more of the group can barely afford to eat. Are you all in agreement on the length of the contract? What will happen if some of your group leaves after nine months of a twelve month agreement - who pays the rent for the rest of the tenancy? See Contracts, page 87. Before you take the decision to form a group to go house hunting, you should have a frank discussion about all your expectations in these areas and make sure you have similar views; otherwise you could find yourself with problems later in the year. Planning
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Top student tips Mice - cute and furry? Or disease-spreading menaces?
“Consider having a kitty for general expenses (washing up liquid, toilet paper, etc). Also consider having a logbook beside the phone to note all national/international calls. This should prevent a lot of arguments.”
Another reason why smaller groups are often a better idea is that when you have large groups renting (i.e. five or more) the state of cleanliness in the house or flat will almost inevitably deteriorate. Once you have done other people’s washing up two or three times, you are likely to do what everyone else in the house is doing i.e. pick out the items you need from the festering mess in the sink, wash them up, use them and then replace them back into the rancid pile of dirty pots, pans and plates.
“Set rules about guests, especially for parents visiting or partners staying.”
How many to share with?
Value for money? In general the more people you share with, the cheaper it is. Therefore, someone living in a two bed flat will pay more for their room than someone living in an equivalent (area and quality) four bed house. However, once you go beyond four, there are no additional savings to be made. Properties with five or more tenants may need to be licensed and the landlord may pass the costs of this onto the tenants.
If the house does descend into this kind of mess during the tenancy, you are also likely to have a problem with mice. Mice are a London epidemic and need very little encouragement to invade your house. Central London: If you are looking for a central London property, you will need to limit the size of your group. There are very few four or five bedroom properties in central London. Typically, you will find one or two bed flats with a living room that you can convert into a third bedroom.
For more on licensing, please refer to pages 79-81. 70
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Planning
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Planning checklist... Research areas of London that are within easy commuting distance to your College/work. Make sure you are aware about travelling safely around London and making your home secure. Don’t forget to take out insurance. If you don’t spend your entire budget one week SAVE it for something big later on in the term. Always put money aside each term for the bigger one off items or trips home. Remember you will earn interest on money, if you put it in a savings account Check with your college if you are entitled to any extra funding and make sure you claim everything you are entitled to - if you don’t need it now save it until you do Make sure you know about Council Tax rules. Make sure that you have a good discussion about house rules with your prospective co-sharers. You need to ensure that everyone has the same expectations about the kind of house they want to live in. Weigh up if a mobile phone contract is cheaper over the year than payas-you-go. 72
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