Accommodation
The thing students worry about most, and the easiest thing to get wrong from a distance. That's why it has its own page.
Options
Dormitory or rented flat
University dormitory
Option A- ›The advantage
Usually cheaper, close to campus, and socially the easiest start for a first year.
- ›Watch for
Places are limited and applications can close early; room types and shared facilities vary by school.
- ›How we handle it
I follow the dorm application calendar on the university's official page and make sure yours goes in on time.
Rented flat
Option B- ›The advantage
More private space, freedom of location, and reasonable cost when shared with friends.
- ›Watch for
The contract, the deposit, who pays which bill and the exit terms all need to be clear before signing.
- ›How we handle it
I research listings, deal with the landlord or agent, and view the flat in person where possible.
The contract
Checked before you sign
- 01Rent and bills
Are heating, water, electricity and internet included, or billed separately? Heating costs can rise noticeably in winter.
- 02Deposit and its return
How much, to whom, and under what conditions it comes back. A term that isn't in writing isn't a term.
- 03Term and exit
What happens if you leave early, and how much notice you have to give.
- 04Condition on handover
On moving day the state of the flat is photographed and recorded — the single most practical step for avoiding a dispute at the end.
- 05Who signs
The contract is made in the student's own name. Where a power of attorney is used, its scope must cover signing.
Never send a holding fee or deposit without seeing the flat, verifying the person behind the listing and having something in writing. Most problems with renting from abroad begin at exactly this step. I check the listing, and the flat itself where that is possible, on your behalf.
Start the housing search early
Watching the market while you wait for your admission letter is a real advantage.