Dealing with accommodation in the United Kingdom can be a total headache! You are advised to take your accommodation issues seriously and settled them as early as possible before your academic year starts.
Here are several tips and recommendations:
1. READ and sign the contract with the agent / landlord.
2. Get in touch with your agency / landlord regarding your arrival to your accommodation. Save their contact numbers in case of emergency in regards to your accommodation.
3. Usually within 1 week when you moved in, your agency / landlord will do an inventory check. Ensure you take pictures of the condition that you are unsatisfied with and bring this matter to your agency / landlord. Save these pictures to avoid deductions of your deposit when your contract ends.
4. If you are planning to live in the same house next year, ask your agent about summer rent. Negotiate for discount!
5. If your accommodation is not inclusive of bills, ask your agency / landlord how to sort out the utility bills which include electricity, gas, water, TV license (if you have a TV, you need a license to avoid a hefty penalty fee) and broadband. You usually handle bills on broadband yourself.
**Please take note that ALL full-time students are exempted from council tax. ASK for your council tax exemption certificates from your city council (i.e. Birmingham City Council) to avoid delays for your deposit when your contract ends.
(Check out the page on student budget)
6. Take note where the main power box is in your accommodation!
7. Ask landlord for information on which day to take out the garbage.
8. Ask landlord where are the nearest bus stops to get to your university or the city center.
(Alternatively, you can check out the page on "Transport in Birmingham")
9. To ensure your accommodation is in safe hands, we recommend for you to contact any BBSS committee members to 'Azan' your accommodation.
If you are staying in a house share, take time and effort to sit down with your housemates to discuss the responsibilities and rules in the house. No rules will make things messy!
This is important and make sure you put your teamwork cap on and cooperate!