10 Questions to ask when looking for student accommodation

Whether you’re searching for a house or flatshare that ticks all your squad goal boxes or a comfortable spot on your own to get away from the crowds, house hunting for a new student home is an exciting process. However, the process can become more overwhelming than running late for an exam and forcing yourself into the last foot of space on a full train carriage, pre-Covid obviously.

To help you feel more at ease, we’ve put together a checklist of 10 key questions to ask yourself when searching for student accommodation in Leeds.

1. Have I chosen the right housemates?

Once you sign the lease agreement, you will be stuck with each other for the duration of the tenancy. Choose your housemates wisely and consider the following:

• Whether or not they are responsible, because you will need work with household budgets and look after the property together.

• If they look after their stuff and respect other people’s belongings. You’ll ideally live with someone who asks before using something and returns a borrowed item in the same condition.

• If they value cleanliness or not. Ideally, everyone will clean up after themselves and abide by a cleaning roster.

Make sure that everyone is on the same page in terms of rules and expectations and how the communal space will be treated. It’s a shared space after all, and the last thing you want to do when you’re setting into the couch for a movie night is to find a used peanut butter knife hidden beneath the scatter cushion.

1. Who will be the best lead tenant?

It is important to pick the right person as your lead tenant. The lead tenant needs to be responsible, efficient, good at communicating and personable in their approach to building relationships. This means that, if an issue arises, it can be sorted out quickly whilst relationships are kept intact.

1. Is the property in a good location?

When choosing accommodation, be sure to consider the location. Is the area safe and are there outdoor spaces nearby? Are there good transport links or is the property within walking distance of campus? At Almero Student, we choose the best locations for our accommodation, so you don’t have to worry.

1. What is the neighbourhood like?

There’s more to student life than studying and, dare we say, partying. Enjoying a catch up with a friend at a local café or the pub down the road is all part of the experience. When searching for the perfect student accommodation, find out which neighbourhoods suit your personality and if it offers places to unwind and explore at the weekend.

1. What are the neighbours like?

If you’ve found a house or flat that you like, find out who the neighbours are. You wouldn’t like to be studying or trying to sleep before a big test or exam with music blaring from the party across the road. Ask the landlord or agent how they handle complaints and, if you can, chat with other tenants before deciding to move in or not.

1. What is included in the property? 

You may view a place that seems to have all the bells and whistles but, when you move in, you arrive to an empty shell. Make sure to check what is included in the property. Are appliances included, such as a washing machine and a dishwasher? Is there access to a shared outdoor space? What about working smoke detectors? If you have a car or bicycle, is there off-street parking or a place to store your bicycle? And, more importantly, for students, is there wi-fi installed? At Almero we take care of all of the above so you don’t have to.

1. Is the property well looked after and managed?

A picture says a thousand words, but ‘mouldy’ may not be one of them. Make sure you view a property before signing a lease and always check for damp spots and moulding. You want a landlord who is responsible and looks after their property so that any maintenance issues can be sorted out effectively and quickly. Our student accommodation offers plush living with modern furnishings and good maintenance plans so you can continue to live your best life.

1. Is there enough space?

Cooking in a kitchen that is too small or needing the loo when Sam is hogging the shower will not make for a happy stay. Consider if there is space for everyone to live comfortably and whether or not the number of bathrooms is suitable. If you’re cooking separately, make sure the fridge is big enough for everyone’s weekly shops so no-one can cry over spilt milk.

1. How is billing handled?

Rent can either be inclusive of utilities or not. If your bills do include utilities, ask if there are usage limits. Rent can also include wi-fi, but not always. Another great reason to consider Almero university accommodation is that our rent always includes all essentials like electricity, gas, water and even your TV license, as well as access to great quality wi-fi.

1. Is my deposit safe?

You will need to put down a deposit before moving into your new home or flat. By UK law, all student accommodation deposits must be held in one of three government-approved Tenancy Deposit Schemes which are:

• My Deposits

• Tenancy Deposit Scheme

• Deposit Protection Service

Before signing any documentation, ensure that your deposit will be held with one of these three providers. That way, your money will be safe.

If you’re ready to browse student accommodation in Leeds, look no further than Almero Student. Our modern student housing is the epitome of style and sophistication, so you can enjoy the finer things in life without breaking the bank.