Viewing a student house can be very exciting, especially for the prospect of what’s to come: freedom, having your own place and new friends. So it’s important to know what to look for and ask at your viewing. At Hoots, we are experts on viewing a student house so we have compiled a guide to make the experience a lot easier.

Finding The Right Letting Agent Or Landlord

Finding the right letting agent or landlord for you and what you need can make everything go a lot smoother. There are a few things that you might need to consider when choosing the right letting agent/landlord. 

  1. Letting agent or landlord? – A landlord is someone who you would speak to directly, whereas a letting agent is someone who acts as a middleman between you and the landlord. It’s important to know who you would be speaking to depending on the property. In some cases the landlord will own the property and the letting agent will do the day to day task on behalf of the landlord. 
  2. Research – Research your local letting agents and whether they do student housing? Not all letting agents will accommodate student houses. However, sites such as savethestudent.org have lists of student letting agents in each city. 
  3. Are there any fees? In a few cases letting agents will charge a fee, whereas landlords do not. These fees include admission fees, credit check fees and in a few cases a check in fee and a check out fee. Make sure that you factor these into your consideration. 

What Questions Should I Ask?

Viewing a student house can be very exciting, especially for the prospect of what’s to come: freedom, having your own place and new friends. So it’s important to know what to look for and ask at your viewing. At Hoots, we are experts on viewing a student house so we have compiled a guide to make the experience a lot easier.

  1. What are the expenses? What is included and what is extra? In some cases the bills are included in the rent. It is important to check what is included in the rent and what needs to be paid separately. If you are moving into a shared household, you will also need to make sure that you come to an agreement with the other tenants and sort out what you are and what you are not responsible for. 
  2. How much is the deposit? When does this need to be paid? This is an extremely important question when viewing a house. Before you commit, it’s important to find out exactly how much you will be paying upfront and when it is due. 
  3. What is the local area like? What is nearby? Have a look around. This will allow you to get a feel for the area and know what is nearby, such as supermarkets and restaurants. 
  4. Can I speak to the other tenants? While you’re viewing, take advantage by talking to the other tenants. This will allow you to get to know who you would be living with and get a better understanding of the property and the landlord/letting agent. Ask questions such as ‘What and if they have had any issues?’, ‘is the landlord/letting agent quick at sorting any issues out?’, ‘What is the area and neighbours like?”
  5. Who do I contact if anything goes wrong? If a problem does occur, it’s important to know who to contact. 

What Should I Look For?

When viewing the house, there are things that you might want to look for, both positive and negative. Here are some things to look out for.

  1. Damp – Damp can cause all different types of issues. It can turn items mouldy, such as clothes, wallpaper, furnishings. It can smell but it can also cause a serious health problem. According to Meaco, “35% of students claim that they have problems with dampness in their accommodations”. Check the walls, ceilings, around the windows and behind furniture.
  2. Security and safety – When viewing a student house, ask the landlord whether the home has a burglar alarm system. Check that the doors are well secured, especially the main entrance and exit to the house. Also check that the house has a fire blanket, extinguisher and a working fire alarm. If you are unsure and not happy with the security and safety measures that the property contains, mention this to the landlord. 
  3. Furnishings & electrical appliances – Check what is included and what is not. Some items in the house might be a selling point, but could be gone when you move in. If the house is listed as a student property, some letting agents recommend that landlords provide a suitable desk and chair, check whether this is included with your landlord. Check that the electrical appliances are working as they should. Also make sure that there are enough appliances for the whole household.
  4. Insulation – Make sure that the house is well insulated. A non-insulated house can increase your energy bill. Check the windows and whether they are double glazing, the door is secure, the heating and if there are any drafty areas
  5. The water supply – If you are moving into a shared property, there will be many people using the facilities multiple times a day. Check what the water pressure is like, turn on the taps to make sure an efficient amount comes out and flush the toilet. When viewing the property, make sure that you look out for damp patches and possible lakes. It’s important to spot any water damage early as it can be dangerous and costly to fix. 

Once you are happy, put in an offer! We wish you luck with finding your student house. For more information tips and tricks, check out our blog or follow us on Instagram and Facebook.