Student guide to renting - the don'ts
Tamara Price, Lettings Manager, highlights a few of the things that a student tenant should avoid doing when it comes to sourcing student accommodation...
Following up on our previous article that highlighted a few of the do's that new student tenants should pay attention to when moving into a property for the very first time, this time around we want to flip that around and highlight a few of the don'ts.
After all, it's always a good idea to have great balance!
Don't leave it until the last minute to find student accommodation
With thousands of students embarking upon their university journey for the very first time, as well as thousands of others looking to change their accommodation for any number of reasons, it means you're likely to face tough competition while on the hunt for the perfect place. The important things that will tick your boxes, such as location, amenities and price, will also be ticking the same boxes for everyone else. Therefore, it's a good idea to look for your student accommodation around two months ahead of the move - leaving it until the last minute will no doubt drastically narrow down the number of suitable places available to you. Touch base with reputable local letting agents as they'll be able to alert you of new properties that may interest you well ahead of time.
Don't focus your search on just one location
There are usually several areas that are student hotspots across the city, and this is very much the case in Cardiff. Flexibility on the areas you'll consider and researching local transport links can really open up the number of viable properties that are made available to you. For example, a short bus or train journey could see your budget offer a great deal more than something that's smack bang in the middle of the city.
Don't forget to accurately budget
When searching for student accommodation it can be easy to work out the monthly rental cost over a set period of time and then base your budget on this alone - forgetting that there's potentially a lot more costs involved elsewhere. You'll have to factor in additional costs such as energy bills, tv and broadband, tv licence, contents insurance etc. Some of these may be included with the rent so check beforehand and be sure that you know exactly what it is your rent payments will cover. You may also have to factor in travel costs if you're likely to drive or take public transport on the regular.
Don't dive straight into a deal that seems too good to be true
If you come across a property that's privately listed and is being advertised at a price that seems too good to turn down, or if the landlord is asking for cash as a holding deposit, then don't allow yourself to be tempted. Scams are unfortunately commonplace in the property market and is one of the main reasons you should work with an accredited letting agency - the protection they offer you is priceless.
Are you on the hunt for the perfect student accommodation in Cardiff? If so, our experienced lettings team are here to help. Contact us now to discuss your search by calling 02920 668585, e-mailing enquiries@cpshomes.co.uk or by popping into one of our three Cardiff branches for a chat.
