For students, moving away from home to university for the first time can be an exciting, yet daunting process and there are many things to consider when looking for a flat, including affordability, location and amenities.
With a fifth of Edinburgh’s population consisting of students, it is best to start looking for flats as soon as possible before university or college is due to start and the best ones are taken. It is a good idea to contact the university for advice if you do not know the area well. Many universities have their own private accommodation, or may have contacts and connections with trusted landlords that may be able to offer affordable accommodation.
In order to make sure you find the best rental property for the best price, it is a good idea to view different properties before you settle. The Internet is a great place to look for properties to rent. Property portals in particular hold a vast amount of properties from different agents, allowing you to compare different prices and get the best deal.
It is a good idea to visit the flat before you move in and have a look for any problems or damage to property, this way you can work the repairs into the contract to be fixed before you move in. As well as this, once you have moved in, ensure you take pictures of the original state of the property and any damaged items. Date the pictures that are taken so the landlord cannot try to claim money for damages you are not responsible for.
It is best to make a good first impression when meeting your prospective landlord, as there may be other applicants for the flat, therefore you want to give a mature and responsible appearance so the landlord feels comfortable that you will look after and respect the property.
An important consideration when looking for a flat to rent in Edinburgh is the location. If you don’t drive, you will want to ensure you are within walking distance or make sure that there are transport services that run close to the university or college that you are attending. It would be a good idea to visit the area first to see if there are other students in the area and it will also allow you to locate local shops, nightlife, buses and other facilities which may reside in the neighbourhood.
It is a good idea to prepare a budget, including monthly food costs, bills and other expenses in order to plan how expensive a monthly fee you can afford. When preparing your budget you will have to take into account any deposits or other expenses you may have to pay before you can move into the property.
Flat sharing is a good way to reduce the monthly costs as rent and bills can be shared. However if you are moving in with someone you do not know, you may want to meet up with the person first to make sure that you get on, as you will not want to spend a year sharing a flat with someone you do not get along with.
Before you consider signing a lease, read it over very carefully in order to ensure there are no hidden clauses within where the landlord may reserve the right to increase rent or claim damages.
Moving away to university and renting your first flat in Edinburgh is a big step, however by following these simple tips should ensure a smooth transition onto your exciting new university life in Edinburgh.