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Find your perfect pad
Know exactly what you're looking for and how much you can afford to pay before settling for any house or flat.
- Decide how much rent you can afford to pay so that you don't end up looking at accommodation you can't afford. Stick to that amount, you don't want to be penniless for a year thanks to a flat that looks cool but costs a bomb.
- When deciding how much you can afford to pay, remember to add in the costs of heating, electricity, transport, food, phone bills and so on. Ask other people living out of home what the average costs are in the area you plan to move to.
- Check out the local newspapers for the area your moving to. Normally there are loads of classified ads with houses or rooms to let. Make sure to get a copy of the paper as soon as it comes out as everyone will be fighting for the best deals.
- Also check estate agents, local notice boards, post office windows, shop windows, your friends and do a search online.
- Once you have a list of potential places, decide what information you need to know and call the landlord. Don't hang around waiting for someone else to get in there before you.
- When you're going to look at accommodation bring the landlord's contact number, your mobile (or change for a public phone), a map, info on how to get there and get back, references if you have them, paper and a pen.
- Don't panic and take the first place you look at. Ask someone with experience of living in rented accommodation to come with you and check stuff like the heating, who you're living with, how long it will take you to get to uni or work and if the kitchen okay for cooking.
- When you go to see potential flats or houses, take a look at the area you would be living in and decide if you feel safe walking alone there or walking home at night. Ask in local businesses about the safety of the area.
- Try to get to meet your new flatmates before deciding to move in.
Inspecting a flat or house
- Safety's important, check if there are fire escape routes and fire extinguishers.
- Check for signs of dampness (especially in older houses). Look inside cupboards, at the ceilings and on furniture for damp patches or mould.
- Check that the windows all open, especially in the kitchen and bathroom, where things tend to get steamy.
- Check if there's good heating (you don't want to freeze in winter!), what type of heating there is (gas, central heating, electric radiators, etc) and roughly how much if costs.
- Check if furniture comes with the flat or if you'll have to bring stuff with you (remember furniture can be expensive to buy).
- Make sure essentials such as the cooker, fridge, shower and washing machine are working.
- Check if anyone else has keys to the accommodation.
