As an exchange student in the UK, you may already be experiencing challenges such as a language barrier, unfamiliar weather patterns, culture shock, homesickness, and getting a job. Additionally, managing university assignments can be tough due to time constraints, but using Studybay or any other reliable online assignment writing helper service can connect you with professional academic experts, making it easier to keep up with your studies and get help with assignment writing.
Moreover, leveraging online resources for other aspects of student life, like accommodation hunting, can also streamline your transition and help mitigate these challenges. This article will help you cross off finding suitable accommodation from the list of things to worry about by detailing everything you need to know before renting a property.
We will go through some common pitfalls associated with private rented accommodation and offer tips on avoiding them. You will find out that causes of future complications occur even before you move into the property.
Negotiations
The first step should always be to contact the accommodation department of your university. Even if they cannot find accommodation or a place to rent, they’re most likely to have useful local knowledge to pass on. They may also have details of agreeable local letting agents.
Whether you find a property by directly contacting the landlord or through an agent, trying and negotiating is always worth a shot because, in most cases, there may be some movement room on the advertised price.
You can find out the actual price by asking existing tenants when you go to view the property, or if you’re working with an agent, you can look online on sites like Internet Archive to see if there are any changes in the asking prices.
Remember, if you’re using the services of an agent, you will incur an administration or referencing fee. This fee can also be negotiated, especially if you’re with several other interested students because the agent’s main commission is from the landlord.
Properties in areas predominantly occupied by students are unlikely to be flexible on the tenancy terms — the landlord may insist upon 12 months. This means you have to take it before the semester or term begins and keep it through the summer, although you won’t be using it.
A solution to this would be moving further away from the university and into areas not dominated by students. You can request a break clause in your tenancy so that you can leave after 9 months instead of 12. This will prove especially useful to you as an exchange student.
Deposits
In the UK, a letting agent or landlord is legally required to protect your deposit in a government-approved protection scheme. These schemes ensure you are well treated as a tenant and no unjustified deductions are levied.
The landlord must also provide details of where the deposit is protected within the first 14 days of your payment. That includes information about the selected protection scheme.
If the landlord does not give you this information, there are several steps you can take:
- First, make a polite reminder to the landlord;
- If unsuccessful, you should commence proceedings in the County Court;
- If the landlord still hasn’t protected the deposit by the court date indicated, they will be ordered to pay you an amount equal to and sometimes greater than your deposit.
Your deposit should be returned within the first 10 days at the end of the tenancy, unless there is a dispute. All disputes should be resolved by the relevant protection scheme’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) decisions and procedures.
If you want to travel more after your stay in the UK but cannot afford to pause your studies, you can always combine study with travel and create an enriching experience. Even better news is that no matter the circumstances, you never have to choose between traveling and assignments. You can find experts online who will help you stay ahead of the curve while on the road.
Understanding Utility Bills and Council Tax
An important aspect of renting in the UK that exchange students should be aware of is the handling of utility bills and council tax. In many rental agreements, utilities like electricity and gas are not included in the rent, meaning you’ll have to set these up and manage payments separately. Always clarify with your landlord or letting agent who is responsible for these bills.
Additionally, full-time students are usually exempt from paying council tax, but you must apply for this exemption at your local council to avoid being charged. Make sure to gather all necessary documentation, such as a student certificate from your university, to support your exemption application. This understanding will help you budget more effectively and avoid unexpected expenses during your stay.
Gas Safety
Gas safety should be at the top of your checklist before you move into a rented property. The landlord must have the gas appliances checked annually by a registered engineer, receive a certificate, and provide tenants with copies of the certificate.
Before you move into any building, you should insist on seeing the original copy of this certificate. The landlord has 28 days to produce it after every re-inspection.
Do not be afraid to demand proof of inspection. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a very serious concern, with several fatalities reported in the UK each year.
Signs indicating a problem with the gas lines include pilot lights that continually go out or flames that burn yellow instead of blue, which point to insufficient ventilation. Consider purchasing a carbon monoxide detector with an alarm to err on the side of caution.
Security
Where students live, you are almost guaranteed to find a sizable selection of iPods, laptops, and other easily resealable electronics. Burglars know this and often target areas where students are known to live.
Another equally inviting reason thieves would target student areas is that students have a laissez-faire attitude toward security. As an exchange student new to the UK with little to no family or friends around, it can be an overwhelming experience that could result in some lapses in judgment that lead to a loss of valuables you cannot replace without difficulty.
Before you agree to rent out a property that has already met all your other requirements, be sure to go back there in the evening and after dark and observe the exterior. Does it feel safe? Are there any poorly lit alleyways and corners where burglars could hide out or pass unnoticed? Would you feel safe walking home at night?
Request your landlord to install five lever deadlocks on external doors and fit key operating locks on the windows, no matter which floor you’re on. These are the general requirements of any insurance you may take out. If you plan to be away overnight, consider carrying your valuables with you or leaving them with another housemate for safekeeping.
Prepare for the Hunt!
Armed with all this information, finding private rented accommodation in the UK while you study will be a more approachable task. It will not be, by any means, easy, but if you prepare for it, accommodation hunting’s biggest pitfalls can be avoided, ensuring a more satisfying stay in the long term. Remember, thorough research and early planning are key to successfully navigating the housing market.
