Changing university accommodation for current students
If you are considering moving accommodation for your next year at university, don’t leave it too late to get looking as finding accommodation at the last minute as an international student can be pretty challenging.
So how do you go about choosing accommodation for your next year at university?
Understanding your options
As a current student, you usually have many options to choose from, including university accommodation and private renting.
The country in which you are studying will also dictate the options available to you. For example, university accommodation is often limited in countries such as the Netherlands and France, whereas living on-campus in the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom is common.
Let’s go through them and list the pros and cons of each situation.
University accommodation
| Pros | Cons |
| Close to campus | Availability is limited |
| All bills included | Rent is higher |
| Social setting | In some places you cannot choose who you live with |
| Meet other students | Might be a bit noisier than you want it to be |
Private rentals
| Pros | Cons |
| More options to choose from | Bills might be left up to your responsibility |
| Can be cheaper than university halls | There’s not as much social interaction |
Homestays
| Pros | Cons |
| You get immersed in the country’s culture | You will not have as much freedom as if you live with friends |
| You can practise the local language | Compatibility issues |
| Support system | Varying quality standards |
Shared housing
| Pros | Cons |
| You’re not as isolated from people | You might get in a disagreement with your housemates and not be able to get out |
| You can choose to live with friends | You have shared responsibilities in the house |
| The bills are shared by everyone |
Factors to consider
Regardless of the accommodation option that you choose, some factors are consistent between every choice. These are the top things to consider when choosing where to move to:
Budget
When you budget for accommodation, include things such as the monthly rent, an average estimated price of the bills, how much deposit you will have to pay and also put aside money for insurance if you need to pay for it. If you end up renting an unfurnished place, don’t forget to also add this to your budget.
Location
When you look for accommodation, take into consideration the location. It is usually cheaper outside town centers, but sometimes this may mean living in a neighbourhood that you don’t like or an area with poor transport links, making it harder to get to campus.
Facilities and amenities
When you’re looking for a place to live for next year, keep in mind that some houses you will find do not come furnished or with the utilities set up. Make sure to check that if this is the case, because it is helpful to avoid setting up water, gas, internet and electricity providers.
Also make sure the place comes furnished, as it will be much more expensive having to buy all the furniture for the apartment, and then having to get rid of it to move it to another place at the end of the tenancy.
Contract length
Understanding the terms and duration of your lease is very important. Consider if you are planning on going home for summer, or staying in your university city. Is it a deal breaker for you if they won’t let you lease it during the summer?
If you do go home for the summer but don’t want to take your things with you, consider asking the landlord if you could leave them in the house during summer, even if you’ll pay a small amount.
Roommates
If you are considering moving in with friends, or just moving into a shared house, be open minded. Not everyone grew up the same way and has the same habits. This is why it is important to set some ground rules for the common spaces when you first move into a shared house, and always communicate with each other to avoid big arguments and disagreements in the house.
Starting your search
University resources
Many universities have accommodation websites with trusted agencies and recommended accommodations. Check their websites, as well as student unions and their notice boards. They usually also show rooms very well in budget, so it is a very good place to start looking.
Online platforms
One of your best options is to look for accommodation on online platforms. Some trusted websites with good options include student.com, uniplaces and housinganywhere. They offer good options and a wide range for your budget.
Networking
Another good option is joining your local city’s accommodation facebook groups. However, be careful with this method because there might be fake ads, so don’t make any payment before viewing the property in person or video call viewing.
Application and documentation
Required documents
When you rent a property, you will need certain documents to be able to continue with the process. Don’t forget to have these ready for when the landlord ask you for them:
- Proof of identity
- Proof of student status
- Financial guarantor or proof that you can afford the rent
- Student visa
- Show you have the right to rent
Deposits and fees
When you book a room, you will be asked to pay a security deposit, and in some countries, even a few rents in advance. Inform yourself how your deposit will be secured and when you will get it back. Also make sure the company that your landlord is using to secure your deposit, is trustworthy.
Visiting and inspecting properties
Virtual tours
If you’re already back home when you start looking for accommodation for your next year, a lot of accommodations offer virtual tours. This can be either a video sent by them, or an actual virtual tour of the place. For the virtual tour, pay attention to it because it might be a fake video from an Airbnb. Also pay attention to the condition of the property.
In-person visits
When you visit a property in person, you should check for things such as the condition of the property, location, noise levels, what equipment they have in the bedroom and kitchen. Take pictures of the conditions of the property, as this could be useful if you want to negotiate rent or other things.
Securing your accommodation
Signing the contract
When you receive the contract, read it before signing it. If you don’t want to read it all, check the most important sections including the payment schedule, move in and move out dates, rent amount, what you can and can’t do, as well as the terms in which they can kick you out.
Preparing for the move
Packing essentials
If you’re coming back to the same university you were before, then most of your things are already in the city in a storage place or maybe you were lucky enough to leave it somewhere for free.
If you’re lucky enough to have landed a room in a house that already has kitchen utensils and tableware, then that’s less money you’ll have to spend.
Travel arrangements
When you know your move in date, you can finally buy the plane tickets and arrange all your transports! Be careful not to go too close to the term start, and if you go right at the beginning of your move in date, there is a higher chance you will be able to get a job as many students might still be back home.
Settling in
Getting to know the area
Explore your city and your neighbourhood. Find the closest amenities to your accommodation, such as health services, grocery stores, and places where you can hangout with friends. Maybe you’ll even find a place that will become part of your regular routine.
Connecting with housemates
If you rented your accommodation without your friends, this is your opportunity to connect with more people and get more friends. Set boundaries and responsibilities with each other, so that everything goes smoothly during your tenancy.
Renting an accommodation for your second or third year is pretty straightforward, especially if you have been through this process before. The best option is to start looking as early as possible, because you will have many more options.
Check the credentials of the company offering your accommodation as it might not be regulated by your university. Use resources that you trust, scams are uncommon but are possible.
Happy house hunting!