Once you have secured your place at a university in the UK, finding good accommodation, in the right location, at a reasonable price can be a difficult job.
Whatever country you are coming from, be that France, Hong Kong, Qatar or Nigeria, privately renting in the UK can present additional issues for international students, especially when trying to organize accommodation from outside the country. Add this to a lack of understanding of the renting process, tenancy agreements and not being present to view properties and this all adds up to a huge undertaking.
Don’t worry, with some research, careful planning, and if necessary, some expert help you can find housing that meets your needs.
To make life easier, we’ve put together our top 10 tips for international students moving to study in the UK.
- Decide what sort of accommodation you’d like to live in
Most universities offer university accommodation to first year students and some international students, so speak to the university accommodation office to see what’s on offer.
If you’d rather not live in student halls, you might like to house share with a group of other students? Sharing a house or flat can be less expensive and is a great way to meet new people and expand your social network in your new location. If you’d rather have your own space and prefer not to share or have a roommate, renting privately will probably be for you.
- Work out your budget.
Accommodation will make up quite a significant part of your monthly costs, but prices vary greatly across the UK. If you’re living in London for example, prices will be much higher than in some of the smaller cities in the UK, such as Hull or York.
Speak to the university accommodation office to see what options they have and the costs of the various options. If you’d prefer to live in private rental accommodation, rather than student accommodation, do some research on property comparison sites so that you understand the average cost of rental properties in the place you’re moving to.
Don’t forget to factor in costs for utilities (gas, water, electricity & broadband) in private properties.
Once you understand the full costs, you can begin to set your budget and decide what accommodation route you want to go down.
- Location matters
If you want to be able to walk to your classes, living on campus or in university accommodation may be the answer. As most students prefer to live as close as possible, prices of typical student properties are often more expensive in the immediate vicinity of the university.
If quality of accommodation is more important to you, it may work for you to focus your search in different areas. You may find that you can secure better accommodation or higher quality if you’re prepared to take a short bus ride. Many students cycle to classes, so if you like cycling and can get a bike, you’ll not only be able to live in a potentially better or cheaper area, you’ll also be getting some exercise!
- Don’t forget to bring your important documents
If you choose the university accommodation route, you will be provided with a list of documents that they will require from you. If you decide to rent privately, it would be usual for you to be asked for some of the following documentation: passport, visa, student ID, proof of funds, a character reference and bank account details.
- Furnished or unfurnished accommodation?
Most students opt for furnished accommodation, so you will probably just need to bring your clothes and personal items. Check if the accommodation comes with bedding, if not you will need to bring or purchase linen, pillows and so on. If you rent a private property, check if the kitchen is fully equipped with pans, glasses and crockery? It is impractical to bring these sorts of items on a plane, but there are a number of companies that can provide a home starter pack, relatively inexpensively, which can be ordered online prior to your arrival.
- Make sure you understand the contract/tenancy agreement
Make sure you understand what you are agreeing to in the tenancy agreement, before signing. As well as the monthly rental amount and length of the contract, tenancy agreements also contain details regarding your responsibilities as a tenant and information on how your security deposit will be dealt with. If it is in a language you don’t fully understand, either ask a friend to check the agreement, or use the services of a professional property search company to protect your interests.
- Beware of scams
It is very unlikely that you will be the victim of a scam, but as in every country, there are a few unscrupulous operators who try and take advantage of people who don’t understand the local property market and system. Some things to be aware of and think about are:
- If a property’s price and location seem too good to be true, it probably is!
- Avoid adverts that don’t show pictures of the property or if multiple adverts have the same photos.
- Never pay a deposit without viewing the property first.
- Watch out if you’re asked to send money to an overseas account.
- If you’re really not sure, check with your university’s accommodation office or student union before signing anything or handing over any money.
- Think about insuring your belongings
Firstly, check if your parents’ insurance covers your personal belongings away from their home. If so, you won’t need your own separate policy. Some university halls of residence include insurance in the fee, so if you stay in halls it may not be needed either. It’s always wise to check the level of cover provided, so that you know it is sufficient to cover your belongings. If you have any expensive items, such as laptops, a musical instrument or jewellery, you may need to consider having these items listed separately on the policy. Insurance can be sourced easily online, through a number of comparison websites.
- Book some temporary accommodation before you arrive
Arrange some temporary accommodation for when you arrive. If you have somewhere comfortable to stay, you won’t feel pressured into making a rushed decision. Although the cost of a hotel or serviced apartment can seem a lot, it may save you money in the long run, as having a bit more time to decide will avoid you making a mistake and committing to the wrong property.
- Consider getting some local, professional help
The property market in most UK cities is extremely competitive and finding the right accommodation in a short time frame is a difficult task. A local expert will improve your chances of success, as you will benefit from their local network, contacts and expertise. Being represented by a professional company will also give you a competitive advantage and put you ahead of your fellow students when it comes to having your offer accepted. You will also benefit from their expertise in terms of contract negotiations and choosing and connecting reasonably priced utilities. Some companies even offer on-going services to support you during your entire time at university and can give you and your family the peace of mind that you always have a friendly face to turn to.