HELP! I need to find new student accommodation and I don’t know where to start.

Looking for your new home should be fun and exciting, but we know that sometimes it gets a little bit stressful! Here at LOVESPACE we want to help, so we have compiled a handy list of things to consider when moving accommodation:

1) Get to know the neighbourhoods

You don’t just want to live in a house or flat, you want a place to call home! Choosing the right neighbourhood is really important, and we all have our favourites. Whether you want the quirky shops and lively bars on your doorstep, or a nice green peaceful retreat, make a shortlist of your favourite areas to narrow your search. It is important to consider the amenities such as local gyms, parks and shops. Transport is also a big thing to think about, it is always a good idea to research the public transport available and use Google Maps or City Mapper to calculate routes from your accommodation to key places such as University and work.

2) Be aware of scams, book with a reputable company!

This is very important, as scams happen more often than you care to think. If a landlord asks you to pay the deposit before you have seen the property, or asks you to pay before sending you the keys, alarm bells should ring. Using a reputable firm like Spotahome.com can give you peace of mind, because their spotters personally check all properties and offer a guarantee that the property will be as described on their site. The landlord won't receive a transfer of funds until you have inspected the property and signed the contract with them directly.

3) Be sure of your deal

There’s a lot to take in when you move to a new accommodation and it can get a bit confusing. Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start when reading a contract. We advise that a good place to start is looking at which bills are included in your contract and which you will have to sort yourself. If there are some you have to sort separately, allow yourself enough time to research the best deals and ensure you always know when these need to be paid. You don’t want to get lumped with one big bill when you leave! Got a pet? Make sure you know the rules about animals in your accommodation. Got a car? Be sure to check with your landlord about different parking options.

4) Start to make connections

New to the area? Why not get on social media and meet up websites to get chatting to people who know the neighbourhood well. It’s always nice to have a support network. Whether you want someone to go on a run with, or just want recommendations for the best Cappuccino it’s always good to have people you can call on locally.

5) Don’t leave everything until the last minute

When you’ve just moved into new accommodation the last thing you want to do is worry about when you move out. You want to enjoy your new home and take time to settle in, and so you should! But make sure you don’t leave all of your moving out planning until the last minute as it will mount up and become very stressful. It is helpful to start planning earlier. Make sure you know what date you have to move out by, and what the landlord will require of you such as a professional clean. Do you have to move out over Christmas and Easter too as well as summer? If so, it is worth considering your storage options. You could even get it booked in early so you have one less thing to worry about come the end of your contract!