A parents" guide to student housing

It can be challenging when your son or daughter moves out to go to university. Here’s our guidebook to helping them uncover the proper place to move in to. Photograph: Alamy

You knew it was coming, but it’s still a bit of a shock. Absolutely it was only a couple of many years ago you have been in the playground waving them off on their initial day at school, and now they’re speaking about moving out. Your son or daughter is applying for university half-way across the country, and they are asking yourself in which they are going to dwell.

There is no receiving round the fact that student accommodation is going to be expensive. It is the 2nd largest price to students, right after their tuition costs, and the most significant upfront value, so receiving it appropriate is important.

Traditional halls of residence are nevertheless the most common decision. In a latest survey of university candidates, more than 90% explained they desired to live in some kind of pupil halls because it would aid them meet other students. When Unite asked existing students about their accommodation, several of them said they were shocked how simple it was to make near, supportive close friends in halls, which gave them a assistance network to fall back on via all the ups and downs of student existence.

Halls of residence have transformed a whole lot above the final twenty many years. The bulk are now self-catering, en suite rooms in flats with a shared kitchen and living room. Although several are even now run straight by universities, an increasing amount are run by independent companies. Some of these perform extremely closely with universities, and it is not unusual for universities to consist of independent halls as part of their accommodation offer you for fresher’s. Independent halls can also be booked straight by person college students or groups of buddies.

As a guide, a area in pupil halls expenses an average of £124 per week, which rises to £157 in London. There is variation in value across the nation, and inside every single city there will be a variety of prices and top quality, so it is worth buying about. It is also essential to realize what is incorporated in the lease – all payments including web are normally included in halls of residence, as properly as reception support and protection.

When it comes to residing arrangements, every person has diverse preferences so it truly is really worth talking with your son or daughter about what is essential to them. Are they seeking for peace and quiet, or do they want things to be a bit much more lively? Do they want to consider portion in organised events? Some halls of residence will organise social and sports occasions and even journeys or volunteering possibilities. Speaking to the university accommodation workplace and searching on-line can aid students match their accommodation to their preferences.

For the much more value conscious, renting a room in a shared house can be a cheaper choice, but college students then have to include the value of payments and handle having to pay them themselves, so excellent budgeting is important. Privately rented accommodation can differ enormously in price so it’s worth doing a bit of research online, or speaking to nearby lettings agents ahead of producing a selection.

Student halls ought to be signed up to one particular of the National Codes of Management, which are stringently regulated. Personal homes for students can at times be portion of accredited schemes by means of the university or council – the university accommodation office will be ready to advise.

Tenancy agreements are usually very simple, but it is quite crucial that you and your son or daughter read the agreement before you signal it. If there’s anything at all that you’re uncertain about, check it more than with the university’s accommodation office or a solicitor, who’ll be able to spot anything out of the ordinary. If at all possible try and check out the home ahead of you signal on the dotted line.

One of the most important items to bear in thoughts when renting privately is that your child’s – or, more probably, your own – deposit is protected. Check with the landlord that they’re signed up to a Deposit Safety Scheme: it’ll guarantee your deposit when your son or daughter leaves the residence. Furthermore, if you’re signing as a rent guarantor, make sure you know what this entails: you will be legally liable for the lease or covering the expenses of any harm. In many tenancies, the “joint and numerous liability” clause will also imply that a guarantor is responsible for the entire house, not just the tenant’s room – some thing to bear in mind if you don’t know who your child’s flatmates are going to be.

Obtaining accommodation right is essential for much more causes than you may think. It can affect how college students come to feel about their entire university expertise, and can have an impact on their academic accomplishment. Taking the time to get it proper will imply a lot more peace of mind for you, and a much better university experience for your youngster.

But it probably won’t make you miss them any significantly less.

Jenny Shaw is head of larger education engagement at the Unite Group and the manager of the Unite Foundation scholarship programme.

A parents" guide to student housing