The accommodation-seeking season should now be well under way. Your exams are just a few short months away; if you haven’t already started, you should consider starting now. You shouldn’t settle for the first place you view, but the excitement of getting your own place may cloud your judgement. Before you go signing a contract for any Pads for Students property, ensure to ask the property owner the following questions.
Are Utilities Included?
Landlords will try many incentives to entice you to sign a contract on their property. One of those is costs inclusive of utilities. Signing this type of contract will help you to budget more easily. However, you may get a cheaper deal by paying utilities separately. It’s helpful to know what to expect on the day you move in. Having to wait two weeks for internet access, for example, can be problematic.
To What Extent Can We Personalise?
While taking rolls of wallpaper and gloss paint may be out of the question, it’s always worth enquiring about what you can and can’t do. If there are no nails to hang pictures, it’s worth asking. They may or may not allow posters, for example. If one of you has green fingers, it would be advisable to check whether you’re permitted pot plants. They will probably not let you maintain a vegetable patch.
What is the Policy on Guests?
Some or most of you may be in long-distance relationships. If that’s the case, you may wish your partner to come and stay for a few days during term time. Contracts will usually stipulate the policy on guests, but they are not obliged to do so. In order to keep yourself covered, check what will and will not be permissible.
How Often are the Locks Changed?
The last thing you need is an unscrupulous previous student returning to the property as an unwelcome guest. If it’s been many years since the locks were changed, the greater the risk. Ideally, they should change the locks every year. You are entitled to the security of having your possession protected even if there will nearly always be somebody around.
What Happens if One of Us Drops Out?
A student dropping out can bring financial problems for the landlord or the student tenants. With this question, you need to ascertain whether the remaining students will be required to make up the rent. However, efforts should be made first of all to find a replacement. Whose responsibility will that be?
What About Parking?
Many town and city centre locations these days have limited parking for residents including vouchers to put in windscreens to display the residential address. Most households are limited to two permits; this is problematic for HMOs with four or more residents – most of whom may have a car.