Moving In, Moving Out? Read our exceptionally actionable student accommodation advice guide to help ease you into your new life at university.

This month’s blog offers some extremely wise student accommodation advice by those in the know: the lettings team at Clarity Property Management. We’ve seen it all, and heard everything, so here’s what you need to know about moving out – and moving in.

London By the Sea

Brighton is the most wonderful city in the world.

Okay, we are a bit biased. We live here, after all. But, it really is wonderful as you are about to find out: vibrant, lively, eclectic and full of amazing places to explore. Plus, theatres, music, and loads of bars. And we mean loads of (expensive) bars.

You’re coming here to study, but you could well become a part of the high proportion of people who put down roots here after graduating. Did you know Brighton has the largest student ratio of all UK student cities? A surprisingly high 11.7% of the city’s population are studying at one of the city’s colleges or university.

So, welcome one and all.

You’re Leaving Home

However, nobody said this was easy, least of all of the team here at Clarity Property Management. Suddenly, things won’t just happen. For example, cooking, cleaning and laundry. Likewise, bills, travel costs, and practical matters, such as hot water, ensuring the boiler works, and what to do if the lights go out or the loo won’t flush.

Let’s talk life skills. You will not be living in a hotel, and not all student accommodation is stellar, five-star luxury (can you pick up on the irony here?). You and your flatmates will need to be resilient and practical. Look to yourselves first and foremost, and become problem-solvers – rather than delayed solution-receivers from others.

Change is hard, but it’s an exciting rite of passage in a brand-new part of the UK. So, as the saying goes, face the fear and do it anyway.

Here’s our jargon-free student accommodation advice guide to help you get started.

Location

It’s not for no reason that house shares along and just off Lewes Road, including Hanover and Elm Grove are great places to live. Not only is there a good “vibe”, you’re also within easy reach of the centre of Brighton. Importantly, you’re ultra-near to the university 

Trust Your Property Agent

Lettings agencies may attract a challenging reputation. For a tiny minority, this may be deserved. However, for agencies like ours to obtain ARLA accreditation takes commitment, hard work and dedication to always following industry best practices.

So, trust us.

It’s in our interests to agree on positive terms for your letting, and for you to find the most suitable accommodation for your needs. It will be your home for a long while, and we want you to be happy. So, ask questions:

• What other places may be available?
• What do we need to do to secure the property?

Ask for Two Viewings

It’s hard to take everything in when you see a place for the first time.

You may have secured it some time ago, so ask if you can look at the accommodation again, but this time for a different reason: to allocate bedrooms and measure up for any large furniture items you wish to bring along.

Equally, you’ll be able to double-check the white goods and appliances the landlord has included and cast a beady eye on how clean the property is.

Most landlords or agents will be happy to organise this for you free of charge.

By the way, make sure that you are happy with your room set-up before you move in. Last-minute requests may be received poorly.

Guarantors

Just a quick note: do put your guarantor (if you have one) in touch with your housemates’ Should there be a problem with the rent, it could make things easier.  Remember: they are taking on the same financial responsibility as you and your fellow sharers.

Council Tax

Or rather, your exemption from CT. As a full-time student, you probably won’t be liable for this, or you could be entitled to a discount. But, the council aren’t mind readers so you will need to give your details to your local authority.

Do this promptly. Top of your To-do list when you move in. Why? Because you want to avoid a big, chunky bill landing on the doormat, which could be a hassle to sort out.

Check out this link: https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-tax/council-tax-discounts/apply-student-council-tax-discount

Utility Bills

Firstly, contact Clarity if you prefer an all-in-one inclusive option for energy, water, TV licensing and Wi-Fi. It can be a bit of a strain to organise, and we can help;

Otherwise, again – it’s time to act. You must open your account on the day that your tenancy starts, and provide meter readings on that day. And again – when you move out, plus regularly throughout the tenancy to keep everything on track with your energy use and billing.

Cleaning

Yes, we know – don’t sigh. Nobody loves cleaning. Well, a few people do, and they’re on television making a lot of money out of it.

We’re talking normal here. But still, we all prefer to live in pleasant surroundings, and cleanliness plays a key role. It will help you feel more comfortable and motivated to study, too. Essentially, keeping your shared accommodation clean and tidy will be written into the tenancy agreement that you are your friends have agreed to and signed. So, please do it.

Little and often is the best way, and drawing up a rota – if you can all stick to it – prevents stressful arguments.

When you leave the property, think: inventory standard. This means that the appliances, such as the oven, washing machine, and any furniture, including the insides of drawers and cupboards, will need to be as clean as the day you moved in.

Learn Life Skills

Life skills are unsurprisingly simple to define: they’re skills you acquire for life that will stay with you all your life.

For a fully-rounded human being, they are a must. For example, knowing how to work, use and benefit from:

• a washing machine, and how to replace the filter
• replacing lightbulbs
• adding pressure to a boiler
• clean bedding
• locating a stopcock

…and so on, makes you the best housemate in the world. And, the perfect tenant.

One word: Google. Okay, two more words: YouTube

Finally…

Above all, be kind.

You’re out in the wider world and the opportunities stretching out before you are endless. But adulthood comes with responsibilities. So, take care of your housemates, and always be considerate of noise, hygiene and mess. Always, always. Here, you could be making life-long friends who support and look out for you for the rest of your life 

Remember, it’s their first time away from home, too.

Good luck. And, have a fabulous time.