Finding great accommodation in 2018

Make a start on finding the perfect student living space

If you have any worries about finding a house at the start of the the new academic year in 2018, we’ve got you covered.

Bookmark this handy checklist filled with everything you need to think about before moving into private accommodation in 2018.

Private Accommodation Checklist:

• Visit the Private Accommodation webpage
• Think about who you want to share a house with, and how many people you would like to live with
• Do you need a house close to Avenue Campus or Waterside campus?
• Figure out affordable rent using the Student Budget Calculator
• Who is going to be your Parental Guarantor, time to start asking now.
• Start saving for your deposit usually in the region of £300-£400 per person.
• You will be asked to sign an assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement. Remember your tenancy deposit must be protected with a UK government-approved scheme. Ask about this before paying your deposit!
• There will likely be admin or holding fees, have these funds available.
• Consider if you need to pay a summer retainer covering rent over the summer holidays.
• Ask your landlord or letting agent about gardening fees.
• Ask your landlord or letting agent whether your accommodation has a cleaner.
• Make sure you run the information/documents past your parents/guarantor.
• Don’t pay any money to prospective landlords until you have checked all the terms and conditions of the contracts and you know all the details relating to payments.

With so much to think about when house hunting, Madie Patel, Private Sector Officer, is on hand to give guidance and information. Email madie.patel@northampton.ac.uk (Madie will get back to you when she is back in the office on 2 January 2018) or pop along to the Student Centre when you are back on campus.