Swell Dweller

Guide for Students Choosing Where to Live

For those students in their first year living in halls moving into shared houses and flats for your second year should be a new exciting experience, providing certain steps are followed in your search for safe and secure accommodation.

For those already living in a shared house or flat the experience already gained might make you think more about the choice of property and the landlord for your next years accommodation.

When viewing properties the experience gleamed from existing tenants already living in the house/flat can be invaluable before making a decision and signing a tenancy agreement, giving you a good insight into how things might be for you and your housemates.

Is the landlord/letting agent hands on in managing the property, some landlords are hard to contact or delay acting if problems arise. Look for a landlord that is hands on and responsive to any problems that arise, acts promptly and is readily available if you need to make contact.

With Swell Dweller Sheffield you will find the ideal house or flat for you and your housemates.

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Think about who you want to live with, its one thing going out for an occasional night out with someone, it can be a different thing living under the same roof with that person. So have a think about who you’d like to live with.

If you are quiet or on an intensive course, living with a group of rowdy party animals may not make for a harmonious domestic life. Equally if you a lively reveller living with the local church group might not hit the mark with you. So have a think before deciding who will be your housemates. Generally try and live with like minded people you know and get on well with. Discuss and agree a few ground rules so there are no great surprises once you have committed to a property.

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Look at areas that are in a reasonable proximity to where you are studying so there are no commuting issues to deal with. There are areas that have attracted large student populations from the University of Sheffield such as Crookesmoor and Broomhill. Whilst areas further away from the University of Sheffield such as Walkley and Upperthorpe are less popular. For Hallam University popular areas are Ecclesall Road, Hunters Bar and Highfields.

Rents vary within the different areas, with properties nearer the universities and in high demand such as Ecclesall Road attracting higher rents than those further away. Having said that a little leg work, an additional 5 – 10 minutes walk can save debt burdened students considerably in terms of rent.

Take a look at Sheffield Student Accommodation Areas to find out more.

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How Much Can You Afford - Rent & Bills

Possibly the most important question you’ll need to consider. Take a while to do some sums and know how much you can afford to spend on rent while still leaving enough money for life’s essentials. Don’t forget all the other costs deposits (these can vary from £150 to £300+ per person). You’ll also have bills to pay – gas, electricity, water, telephone, internet, TV licence etc… Currently if the household consists of fulltime students there is no council tax to pay.

You can get an idea of the bills you will have to pay by speaking with the current tenants to avoid getting any nasty shocks.

Don’t get sucked in with friends who have deeper pockets than you do, you need to live somewhere you can afford.

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When viewing properties it is always advisable not to go on your own and always let people know where you are going and what time you expect to return. Its always best to be safe than sorry.

The later you leave your search the less selective you will able to be. Contact landlords using the comprehensive search facilities available on the Swell Dweller Sheffield website. The map facility for each property will show you where it is located. When arranging viewings it is best if everyone who is going to be living there goes to view (not always possible due to differing courses etc..).

If a property does not live up to expectations or the rent seems high compared to similar properties don’t worry there are plenty of others out there. Starting your search early gives you plenty of time to find somewhere safe, secure and comfortable to live.

It is a good idea to view a property when at least one of the current tenants is in residence so you can ask questions about the area, bills the landlord etc…

It is always good to look at a few houses before making a final decision.

Once you have made a decision and found somewhere you want to live, act quickly and decisively to secure the property. But do not act hastily and sign the contract without reading through it (see below).

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The property must be safe, secure and comfortable as well as suiting you personally.

Below are various questions worthwhile asking when viewing the property to help assess if the property is right for you:

• Does the property have a valid gas safety certificate (required by law)?
• Does the property have an energy performance certificate (required by law)?
• How much is the rent and deposit?
• Who is the deposit protected with (required by law)?
• Is the property included in the councils Responsible Landlords Scheme?
• Is there a finders fee or agency fee to pay and how much
• Ask about the neighbours, are they fellow students or owner occupiers
• Is the fabric of the property in good condition, no weeds growing in the gutters, no broken gutters or down-pipes which could give rise to problems with damp?
• Is the garden well maintained?
• Are the windows double glazed so to help with heat and sound insulation and minimise condensation
• Check what furniture is provided by the landlord
• Check the internal decoration is in good order
• Ensure the property has smoke alarms fitted
• Does the property have a security alarm, added protection for your possessions

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Signing a Contract

When you have found the property you want you will be required to sign a tenancy agreement and pay the deposit. In signing a contract you are signing a legally binding contract.

Read the contract carefully and ask any question about anything you are unsure about.

Once you are satisfied that you understand the terms of the tenancy agreement you can then sign to secure the property from the date the tenancy commences. This is usually from the 1st July to the following 30th June. There should be two copies of the signed tenancy agreement, a copy for the landlord and a copy for the tenants. This should be kept in a safe place.

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