5 Top Urban Myths

1. There’s a shortage of accommodation

   Not true – there is a surplus of accommodation for returning students. However we would always recommend you make sure its University approved.

2. Sign up early for a good deal

   Come on – the landlords are waiting for gullible prey – sign up early and you could end up paying more a week in rent than you need to.

3. What do you expect - its only a student house

   If anybody says this to you walk away – and that includes potential housemates.

4. The house needs a bit of work doing – but the landlord seemed really nice and we’re sure it will all be ready by September

   Aaaaarrgggh – Stop!  Do not hand over any money. In our experience you’ll be lucky if it’s ready the following December.

5. Contracts are standard things, you’re completely covered – its all there – just sign – its no big deal

   WRONG - contracts are in fact legally binding documents – make sure you’ve read it all – including the small print before sign your life away.

If you’re going to ignore our advice above, and you’re already looking around – at least follow these following tips.

• Check out as many properties with different landlords as you can – this is the only way you can make sensible comparisons between rents and standards. Inspect, inspect and inspect again. Use The Source House Hunting checklist to help you with this. For this see February 2010 Dusted or the one on this website! 
• Talk to the current tenants. If they’ve had problems you probably will too.
• Think about who you want to live with. Quiet or noisy, party animal or slippers and a cup of tea, laid back (mucky) or tidy? These things really matter and are a source of great stress.
• Don’t sign up for a property that needs major works without talking to us at The Source first.
• Don’t be afraid to haggle – ask for summer rent discounts, ask for extra features e.g. washer/dryer, burglar alarms, decent furniture.
• Think about your safety – how secure is the property (has it been burgled before), how safe is it (could you get out in an emergency), what’s the neighbourhood like (visit at night as well as in daylight)?
• Get your contract checked by The Source before you sign.
• Landlords, who have signed up to become University approved, have agreed to meet certain minimum standards relating to the property and their management. This is an indication that the landlord has a positive approach, but you still need to inspect it, because the University doesn’t inspect every property every year only a small sample.
• For University approved accommodation and information on the Universities Halls of Residence go to http://www.derby.ac.uk/accomodation