Term Starts On Monday

The best term of the year if you have got too many exams.. with long days and good weather is a great time for parties and being outdoors..  but don’t forget to plan for next year and getting a decent house sorted out.  Now is a great time to find a decent house close to the University which is in good order, clean and functional.  So what should you look for?  Of course, budget is important and the rent is but think about all the costs you may or may not need to pay.  A lot of houses you will need to pay for pretty much everything between you, that is Water rates, Broadband, TV licence and utility charges.  Look out for deal where some or all of these are included and if they are not, find out all the costs so you have a good idea of the costs.  When it comes to utilities, look for houses which are well insulated and or have things like LED lights (a fraction of the cost to run) and a modern condensing gas boiler with thermostatic valves in the rooms – this way you can be comfy while minimising expenses.  Check out too things like fridge and kitchen space and if the room has places for you to store stuff and work comfortably too.  Make sure if there is anything you are not sure about with a particular house you ask the landlord in advance and if is something important, ask that they note it in the contract, for example, agreement to repaint the sitting room or fix a door etc.  It is likely decent houses near the university will go quickly and you may need to rent from July rather than September.  Finally, if you have cars in your group, make sure you are aware of the charges for permits if on streety parking is required – often households only get one free permit.  Students don’t pay Council Tax.