Student Accommodation

Tips and advice on getting and keeping your student room...

Moving away from home is a really big step, it can be very daunting and we at Plymouth College of Art want to help you get the most of the experience by giving you as much information as we can on the do’s and don’ts when renting student accommodation. As we do not have an accommodation office to assist you in finding a suitable property we hope the information below may be of some help!

Here are some questions you should ask yourself:

Which area of Plymouth do I want to live in? – There are many student houses in Plymouth ranging from a short two minute walk to a 30 minute plus (depending on traffic) bus or car journey.

Can I walk in easily or will I have to use a car or public transport? - This is important because your chosen course may mean you have bulky/heavy items to carry to college. You can hire a locker for the year but it may not be big enough for all your equipment.

Do I want to live in a shared house or on my own and if shared how many do I want to share with? – a large group share could mean queues for the bathroom each morning and could feel more like halls of residence rather than a shared house. If you want this, great, but think carefully!

Letting Agency verses Private Landlord? – Letting agencies can charge admin fees for registering with them but they are professional companies who will ensure that all legalities are met and should be prompt in dealing with maintenance issues. Private landlords will not usually charge an admin fee but may be less prompt in fixing problems, however they may be friendlier in approach.

Do I want furnished or unfurnished? Furnished is usually more expensive, but easier if you don’t want to buy or move your own furniture in from home. Remember if you do rent a furnished house then if you damage any items you will be billed for them when you move out and the cost could be deducted from your deposit.

Are the bills included in the rent?  Gas/Electricity/Water are standard, some landlords will include internet connection.

View lots of houses if you can, and do not be tempted to put a deposit on the first house you see. There are many properties available to rent but they are not all of the same standard. Remember once the agreement is signed you are tied to the house.

Whatever you decide when you move into the property there are a few essential things to remember to do: take a meter reading of gas/electric/water put the date you moved in and keep it somewhere safe. Take a few moments to walk around the property draw up an inventory of everything and note down if anything is damaged or not working properly.  Get your landlord to sign it and take copies – then keep it safe – you will need it when you move out. If the landlord has their own inventory then take the time to check that everything on the list is actually there. If you have queries about any aspect then ask and get things clarified. Make sure the deposit is secured under the Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme; all landlords are required to protect your deposit.

Before you sign any tenancy agreement make sure you are clear on all the points in it, they are legally binding and once you have signed it you are tied to it.

Do I need a TV License? – Yes. Every student using a TV receiver to watch or record television programmes as they're being shown on TV (including a PC or laptop) needs to be covered by a valid TV License. This applies to you even if you live in halls of residence.

Do I need contents insurance? – Whether you get contents insurance is up to you but it is advisable. Endsleigh Insurance offer a student policy with discounts, just follow this link to their page for further information http://www.endsleigh.co.uk/student-possessions.html

Do I have to pay for Council Tax? – If you are a full-time student you are exempt from paying for council tax. You can obtain a copy from the Information Point, which must be given to your local Council to prove that you are a student studying at Plymouth College of Art.