Second Year Student Accommodation
Speak to any university graduate that you know, and most will say that their second year was the most fun and academically rigorous time of their university journey.
Having spent a year getting accustomed to the daily routine and social life of your university, your second year gives you the opportunity to live with the friends you have made, as well as feel more comfortable in your degree modules.
But the second year of university also brings with it many important decisions. While most students generally spend their first year in student accommodation, many decide to live off-campus in private accommodation in their second year.
For most students, living off-campus is a popular choice in the second year. This is partly because you have more free choice to live with your friends, but also because most universities like to reserve their student accommodation for first year students.
Even when it comes to off-campus residences, the student-favourite accommodations are usually booked out well in advance, months before your second year begins. This means that the best way to get your preferred location is to plan beforehand and decide on where you would like to live and who you would like to live with.
This article should provide you with more information about how to decide on where you wish to rent, how to go about renting private accommodation and what to consider when undertaking the process.
Second Year Accommodation: On-Campus or Off-Campus?
Students should be aware that both on-campus and off-campus second year accommodation come with their benefits as well as drawbacks.
Students who spend their second year on campus particularly cite the increased chances for socialising with fellow students as a major advantage. Additionally, your distance to classrooms is far closer on campus and this allows for better time management. Moreover, living on campus means you can benefit from the university infrastructure.
This means you can more easily take advantage readymade meals at campus eateries and food halls, cleaning services in each dormitory, and intra-campus transport options on larger campuses. By living on campus in your second year, you are saving a lot of time and effort which enables you to focus more on academic and research pursuits. Moreover, you can regularly attend vibrant college events and entertainment venues.
On the other hand, off-campus housing allows you to have more privacy and space away from student halls life, where you must remain in close contact with flatmates in smaller flats or houses. While on-campus housing provides you with enough communal spaces to relax, you will have more peace and quiet if you live off-campus.
The Off-Campus Accommodation Process
There are several key steps involved in applying for and leasing private accommodation in your second year. You should have documents related to each step prepared well in advance, in order to ensure that the application and lease process is managed smoothly. Here are the steps:
Inspection
You should thoroughly inspect a house or apartment before leasing, and take photographs of the space to refer to later. Lighting, electrical wiring and heating arrangements are some of the things you should ask the landlord about.
It is very important that you ensure that your accommodation is in good condition before you move in and then when you move out. If any damage has occurred during your tenancy, you may be liable to pay for any repairs if you cannot prove that it was not you who caused the damage.
Security Deposit
Security deposits for rental accommodations are meant to help the landlord recover payments in the case of unpaid rent or damages to the property. This is supposed to discourage you from late rent payments, property damage or non-payment of dues. Usually, you will be required to pay a security deposit amounting to between two and three months’ rental price of your selected accommodation.
At the end of your rental tenure or if the rental agreement is terminated early, the landlord is legally bound to return your security deposit within 30 days. If they do not return the full amount, they are required to provide a detailed account of why they have withheld the remainder amount.
Guarantor
A guarantor is a close relative, guardian, parent or other third party who is legally bound to pay your rent in the event of you not paying. The requirement for a guarantor is a legal necessity for most rental accommodations in the UK, as well as in most countries worldwide.
Your landlord may require your guarantor’s credit history or proof of income in order to approve them as your guarantors. In most cases, you will be required to provide a guarantor residing in the same country. If you cannot provide a guarantor, some landlords may still agree to lease to you but will require a larger advance payment as security deposit.
Lease Agreement
A lease is a signed legal agreement between you and your roommates, and the property owner or landlord. This agreement will almost always be made in writing.
If you do not fulfil the conditions set out in the lease agreement by the landlord, they can pursue legal action against you. For instance, if you move out of your accommodation before the end of the lease tenure, the landlord may hold you legally responsible to pay the remainder of the lease, or if you cause any damage to the property, you can be held liable to pay for the repairs.
This is why it is important for you to carefully read the entire lease agreement, and point out any objections or issues relating to points in the agreement to your landlord before you sign.
Tips for Finding the best Off-Campus Accommodation
Most students looking for off-campus housing in their second year of university will have little to no experience of living alone and searching for accommodation. It is important to keep a few things in mind while locating your ideal off-campus accommodation, because selecting the best accommodation for your needs and academic schedule can be quite challenging.
Below are a few things you must consider when looking for off-campus housing for your second year:
- Carefully select your roommates: Constant partying and an unclean home environment can distract you and hurt your academic performance. You should look for roommates who prioritise academic and professional growth
- Review the lease before signing: You should make sure to avoid leases with any hidden fees or excessive charges relating to pet policies, trash disposal etcetera
- Create a move-in inspection checklist: If any equipment at your apartment is broken or damaged before you move in, you should carefully note it down, photograph the items and communicate with your landlord in order to avoid damage fees later on
- Renter’s insurance: Make sure to select the best renter’s insurance policy so that you are protected in the event of accidents, natural damage and other unforeseen events
- Learn to cook: Avoid eating out on a regular basis as it will save you significant amounts of money. Cooking with your roommates can also help you socialise and bond with them
- Furniture search: You should look for affordable furniture on Facebook, Craigslist and nearby second-hand marketplaces before you buy new furniture from retail stores. You will surely find excellent deals on barely-used furniture in and around student neighbourhoods
- Distance from campus: Make sure to select a well-located residence which is connected in multiple ways to your university. This means your accommodation should either be walking distance from classes, or well-connected by road and bus networks to your campus
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