Some students will head for private sector accommodation because they have to or choose to, and we have already referred to the growth of some private sector building initiatives. UNITE, for example, rents and manages apartment blocks housing more than 39,000 students in 126 properties in 33 university towns and cities, where you could rent for a year – or for the duration of your course if you like. In addition, there are legions of accommodation agencies and individual landlords in university towns and cities in response to the continuing growth in student numbers. Many have long since abandoned their cottage industry image and competition from some major property developers has created a much greater professionalism. It is illegal for them to levy a joining fee but they may charge a booking or reservation fee on an agreed property, and perhaps a fee for references or for drawing up the Tenancy Agreement. The University Accommodation Service will have an approved list and some are working closely with local councils to develop best practice for student housing in their areas through Student Accommodation Accreditation Schemes. This is timely, given a recent estimate that 14 per cent of full-time students living away from home do so in unsatisfactory conditions. Bear this statistic in mind when undertaking your own search for a roof over your head. These schemes require the landlord to have mandatory gas and electrical safety certificates and guarantee basic standards of security and fire safety.
Always take someone with you to view accommodation and do not rush to sign on the dotted line for the first one you see. Try to spend some time in the area, perhaps by staying at a bed and breakfast or a YHA hostel for a few days, preferably when students are in residence. Locations can look – and be – very different in the vacations and after dusk. How safe is the district? It is important, too, to check out public transport and the journey time to and from the university. What is the traffic flow (or chaos!) like at weekday peaktimes as compared with a quiet Sunday morning? For some students living in private accommodation, travel might mean not only time but also money. A recent survey of travel time between term-time accommodation and the university concluded that students fared best in Wales (86 per cent less than 30 minutes away) and, not surprisingly, worst in London (50 per cent more than 30 minutes away and 17 per cent more than an hour).
Make sure that you aware of any Student Travel Card for local travel and the university or students’ union transport system when returning to your accommodation late at night.
