Moving to university is a stressful experience for everyone. For most students, it is the first time they are moving out on their own. They will have to fend for themselves and maintain their own homes. For parents, it’s equally stressful as they want to ensure that their children are capable of looking after themselves out there. Finding student accommodation in London, a city that is quite expensive and has a shortage of student housing, is particularly difficult. There are lots of unscrupulous landlords out there in the market who will try to scam you in many ways. Most students are first-time house hunters and unluckily, some landowners will utilize their naivety. It’s not difficult to find someone who has undergone nightmare benevolence.
Even if you are tired and have scrutinized for weeks, examining your prospective apartment is utterly important. Without inspecting a house you’ll have no concept on its rightness, whether the landlord explains it accurately, what amenities are close by, or the transportation links. This will give you a true sense of how far apart the property is. You’ll also get an opportunity to see the community and choose whether you want it. This is why finding a reliable website or real estate agent is very important.
Finding student housing is difficult in a city like London. Look out for these signs to make sure that you don’t get scammed out there.
When viewing a house before renting it, do these:
Look for malfunctioning appliances:
It might seem odd to turn on a microwave and washing machine before renting a house, but it’s really important to do so. This is often because landlords can provide you with malfunctioning appliances to cut corners on their costs. You can technically have a dryer, but it might not work. Oftentimes, the process of putting in a requisition for something to be fixed can take a long time, causing enormous inconvenience. Your landlord might even argue with you about whose responsibility it is to fix these issues. Make sure that the fridge isn’t leaking water, that the air conditioners aren’t dripping condensation, and that the racks and shelves inside appliances such as the fridge or dishwasher are attached securely.
There are some ways in which a faulty appliance can grant waves of electricity into your home’s electrical operation, and the resulting loss can range from a tiny part of loss and split on other devices to a devastating electrical explosion. With these outcomes in mind, it’s essential to stop the use of an appliance if you surmise there’s a real difficulty. Seek out a replacement professional who can fix the underlying problem and provide you the all-clear to plug it in newly.
Make sure that there aren’t minor repairs that need to be done:
Other than appliances, also look for minor repairs around the house. Chips in the wall, dents, and other signs of wear and tear from the previous tenant can get pinned down on you. Always keep photographic evidence of the condition of the house when you receive it. Don’t rush into moving in. If the house isn’t properly cleaned, make sure that your landlord cleans it fully. Otherwise, the mess can get blamed on, and you may have to pay for it out of your security deposit.
Double-check the house rules:
Even if you have discussed the house rules thoroughly, make sure to review the lease for any surprise house rules and clauses that might have been put in. If there is no mention of something, such as rules about smoking indoors or pets, talk to your landlord beforehand and have it added to the lease. If you have plans of listing your apartment on websites for subletting or have plans to get a roommate at some point. You must be aware of the legal details. Let your landlord know beforehand so that it doesn’t come as a surprise to them. Finding Student Housing is very difficult.
And ask questions to the landlord, It does not matter how stupid your subject maybe – ask. Where is the most next bus stop, store, or supermarket? Is the apartment fully equipped? What date does my ownership begin and end? Are there any extra rules and regulations? You should be very clear with the landlord about the house rules and restrictions so that it would not bother you afterward.
Ensure that safety features are installed:
In student houses(student housing), landlords often skimp on safety features to keep costs down. Never compromise on your safety. Before moving in, check to see if there are adequate carbon monoxide detectors, sprinkler systems, and fire extinguishers. Your building should have a fire exit and CCTV cameras for surveillance. CCTV (closed-circuit television) is a TV system in which signals are not publicly distributed but are monitored, primarily for surveillance and security purposes. CCTV relies on strategic placement of cameras, and observation of the camera’s input on monitors somewhere.
Providing your building or business premises with cameras inside and outside will go a lengthy way in preventing burglars and gripping your belongings safe. So it is very important that your building should have CCTV cameras as it provides more safety for you.
Finding the perfect student housing is a mix of luck, skills, and patience. In case you are currently living in a less-than-ideal housing situation, remember that it is a step in the learning process that every adult has to go through. For parents, it’s fairly stressful as they want to assure that their children are competent in looking after themselves out there.
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