Viewing student houses: what to look for

Far too many students fall into costly traps when renting. Avoid nasty surprises before you sign a contract with our tips and printable viewing checklist.

According to our National Student Accommodation Survey, two in five students feel their uni home is poor value for money.

Make sure you resist the house hunt frenzy and view properties properly. It's your chance to make an informed decision and avoid paying to live in a place you resent.

Yes, there is a lot to think about: from damp to deposits to bus stops, you can never do too much research. But our tips below will make life easier. We even have a printable viewing checklist so you can score and compare properties.

How to prepare for house viewings

Credit: Kenishirotie – Shutterstock

Before you step foot in a rental property, make sure to do the following:

1. Find out your rental budget using our rent affordability calculator
2. Download our free House Viewing Checklist to score and compare each property
3. Check your credit rating is good* (part of reference checks).
   

* There is no legal minimum credit score for renting in the UK. This just indicates how likely you are to miss rent payments, but is unlikely to stop you from renting as a student.

Where to find student properties

Local student letting agencies are the obvious place to start when it comes to finding uni houses. However, some students prefer to deal directly with the landlord.

There's an added layer of security when opting for an agency, as they'll act as a middleman between you and the landlord. In theory, this ensures that everything in the tenancy agreement is done by the book. But remember that the costs may be higher.

If you're thinking of going down the landlord route, check in with your university accommodation service first. They may have a list of accredited landlords in the area.

Questions to ask when viewing a house

Here are the best questions to ask when viewing a uni house or flat:

• Are bills included?
• Is there a Gas Certificate?
• What about the Energy Performance Certificate?
• Is there a discount for renting during the summer?
• What is the deposit and deposit scheme?
• When does the deposit have to be paid?
• How can we get our deposit back at the end of the tenancy?
• Do you have an inventory list? What furniture and appliances are included?
• Is there a car park or bike storage available?
• Do you have a sample tenancy agreement we could see?
• Are there any agency/extra costs?

We'll go over all the important things to look for when viewing a student house or flat below.

What to look for when viewing a student house

Here are 10 key things to watch out for when viewing a property:

1. Damp

   

   Credit: ADragan - Shutterstock

   Regulations on the standards of rented housing are improving, but our recent accommodation survey revealed 36% of students have lived in homes with damp.

   Don't be fooled into thinking damp just looks a bit gross. It also smells gross, can ruin your clothes and furnishings, and can cause serious health problems (especially if you suffer from hayfever, asthma or other conditions which can affect your breathing).

   When viewing a house, check all walls and ceilings – particularly around windows, corners and behind wardrobes. Look out for flaking paint or wallpaper, black mould patches and a musky smell. These are all signs, too.

   If you move in and find that the landlord still hasn't sorted out the damp issue, do some research into your rights as you may be able to sue them.

2. Pest problems

   Infestations are another big problem in student houses. Common pests include mice, slugs, fruit flies, pigeons, cockroaches and sometimes even rats.

   To be fair, this is often due to previous tenants leaving food and overflowing bins lying around. But even so, you shouldn't be paying for someone else's negligence.

   Don't be afraid to check kitchen cupboards, work surfaces and around bins. Look for traps, droppings and slug trails.

   On the top floor, listen out for pigeons nesting in the attic. Trust us, they can get very, very annoying.

   And listen to episode one of our podcast, No More Beans, to find out how Tom and Jess dealt with pest problems at uni.

3. The location of the property

   We all know how important location is when choosing where to live. The less time it takes you to roll out of bed and get to your lectures, the better, right?

   If a house near uni is a little too pricey, it's important to figure out how far properties are from decent transport links.

   But proximity to uni (or a way to get to uni) isn't the only thing to consider when looking at locations. On your journey to the viewing, keep an eye out for local amenities like newsagents, supermarkets, doctors and pubs.

4. Security and safety

   

   Credit: Pixel-Shot – Shutterstock

   Unfortunately, crime rates in student areas tend to be high. Opportunists know that young people coming home drunk at night are more likely to leave windows and doors open, or forget that their keys are still in the front door (we've all been there).

   Security is something that every student should take seriously when viewing a property. Ask if there's a burglar alarm system and check that the doors are adequately secured. Make sure the main door to the building has secured entry, too.

   If you're worried about security, mention this to your landlord. They don't want any break-ins either, so they'll likely be happy to improve locks and access points.

   If you don't know the area too well, do a bit of research to find out how safe it is. Houses on well-lit main roads are often the most secure. Quiet areas may appeal to some students, but they can have downsides when it comes to crime. But wherever your house is, read our guide to keeping it safe from burglars.

   Also, remember to check that the property has working fire alarms, extinguishers and fire blankets. And, if you're in an HMO (house in multiple occupation), there must also be marked emergency exits.

   If you'll be living in a group of three or more students, the landlord will have to abide by stringent HMO regulations. Annoyingly, despite being a legal requirement, these regulations can be hard to enforce. They exist for your safety and comfort. It's best to check up on what they involve by looking online or asking your local council.

5. Electric appliances and white goods

   Don't be afraid to check if appliances are adequate and in working order. Be clear on what's included in the tenancy agreement and inventory, too. For example, the washing machine probably will be, but the microwave may belong to the current tenants.

   If there's anything of concern, make sure you flag it to the letting agent or landlord. If necessary, have a few words added to the tenancy agreement that ensures the landlord will address them before you move in.

   It's also worth making sure that there are enough appliances to cater for the whole group. If you're moving in as a group of six and there's only one fridge-freezer, this probably won't work.

   Also, be wary of any dodgy-looking plug sockets and loose/exposed cables. These are extremely dangerous and should be addressed before you move in.

6. The water supply

   When there's a whole group of students using the bathroom several times a day, poor water pressure doesn't make for a happy household. During your viewing, give the taps a quick turn to make sure there's more than a dribble.

   You might also want to check the toilet flush to make sure it's working as it should.

   At the same time, look out for damp patches or possible leaks. Water damage is seriously costly and can be dangerous.

7. Furnishings and fittings

   

   As mentioned above, make sure you have a clear idea of what's included in the inventory and what's not. A nice leather sofa might be the selling point, but it may disappear by the time you move in.

   It's also worth noting that some estate agents recommend that landlords letting to students should provide each tenant with a suitable desk and chair (if they advertise the property as a student house).

   If possible, you should also check mattresses for broken springs. These can become dangerous and uncomfortable over time.

8. Check that the house is well-insulated

   Everyone knows that energy bills are one of the biggest costs as a student (if you don't have them included in your rent). Making sure that the house is well-insulated could make a difference of £100s in bills throughout the year.

   Your main concerns should be double-glazed windows, secure doors, a good heating system and a lack of drafty spots – these are all pretty easy to check yourself.

   Make sure to feel the walls inside the property, too. If they're cold, that's a sign that the insulation is poor (and could eventually lead to dampness in the walls). Carrying out these checks should help you save money on your energy bills.

   Checking the roof for insulation is a little harder, as it requires going into the loft. Your best bet here is to simply ask the landlord how well insulated it is.

   There's also no harm in taking a look at the roof from outside the house to check if any tiles are missing. If there are, this could lead to leaks throughout the year.

9. Resist freebies and gimmicks

   Some landlords will offer 'freebies', such as a massive TV or no utility bills for the year to draw you in. Be cautious of these kinds of gestures. Despite seeming like amazing deals, the landlord could simply be using these extra frills as an excuse to rent the property at a higher price.

   That's not to say that this is always the case, though. You just have to be smart. A nice TV is all well and good, but if it's adding anything more than about £400 to your annual rent, you'll be better off buying your own.

10. Talk to the current tenants

    Nobody has a better idea of what a house is like to live in than its current tenants. They're likely to offer an unbiased and realistic account, as they've got nothing to gain (or lose) by telling you any different.

    You can gain a decent insight by asking one simple question: "What are the best and worst things about this house?".

    If the landlord's not over your shoulder, they might make you aware of anything the landlord has missed or is trying to cover up. If they seem happy, that's the best testimony you can get.

    As the residents of this student house of horrors found out when they spoke to the previous tenants after moving in, chatting with them beforehand could save you a lot of stress further down the line.

How to make an offer on a house

Credit: George Rudy – Shutterstock

After you've been to a few viewings and compared uni housing scores from your Save the Student viewing checklist, there should hopefully be one that stands out.

If you're keen to go ahead, these are the next steps to follow:

1. Make your offer quickly

   Before you call the agent or landlord, you must make sure everyone agrees on the house. If there are disagreements, the only option is to go your separate ways or to keep looking. No one should be talked into living somewhere they don't want to.

   Once you're happy with your decision, it's time to get things moving before someone else makes a successful offer.

   If there are others interested, the landlord will usually choose their tenants based on who's likely to pay rent on time and cause the fewest problems for them over the year. With that in mind, dressing well and having proof of funds available won't do you any harm.

2. Sort out your finances

   Once you've made it clear that you want to rent the property, there's still a lot to consider when it comes to finances.

   Make sure you go over everything in detail with your agent or landlord before you move in, with specifics in writing.

   Things to check before making an offer on a student house

   • How much your monthly rent will be (check out our table that shows you the average rent in your area)
   • If you can afford the rent (use the rent calculator)
   • Your credit rating
   • Who pays which bills
   • What the deal with summer rent is
   • How much the deposit is
   • Where your deposit is protected
   • Any extra fees.

   If you think the rent is on the steep side, you might want to try haggling at this point. Be careful, though. The landlord may have other offers on the table already.

   Read our ways to save money on rent and check you've done everything possible to get your rent down before signing on the dotted line.

3. Confirm your move-in date

   Most landlords will let you move in straight away on 1st July during summer. Others may want to use the summer to improve the house (even if you're paying rent at this time).

   It's best to talk to your landlord if you need the house over the summer to make sure you won't be left in a tricky situation.

   And if they're charging full rent during summer when you don't plan to be there, you could ask for half rent during July and August. It's worth a go!

Now you've found a place, it's time to look over the contract by following our tenancy agreement checklist.