Don't Rent Yet

You're back from the Christmas break and your loan has (hopefully) arrived in your bank account. Your course-mates / flat-mates / mate-mates and you suddenly realise that you need somewhere to live in the next academic year. The temptation is to rush out to the various letting agents and get a list of their student properties that are available, and then pick three or four houses with the right number of bedrooms and just take the best of that bad bunch.

The problem with that is you end up with a house that looks OK but the current tenants have probably had a succession of issues with the boiler, the washing machine or the shower that the landlord hasn't come round to fix for a week, and then it just breaks again in half the time it took to be fixed. Not only that but you find after you've signed the contracts that you could've got a better house for significantly less money if you had waited and looked around a bit more.

You can avoid living in the house from hell by following these simple tips;

1. Don't Rent Yet: There really isn't any need to look for a house until at least the end of February. There's a huge oversupply of student housing in South Manchester and you won't get the best deal by renting now.
2. Use the Manchester Student Homes List: Manchester Student Homes is jointly run by MMU and the University of Manchester to provide students with an independent service for property lists, accredited landlords and houses, and advice. The MSH property list is released on Monday 1 February, and is available from the Fallowfield office and is searchable online.
3. Do You Have to Live Behind Sainsbury's?: Whilst the terraced houses in the streets behind Sainsbury's are undoubtedly mostly populated by students, they are also where you'll find some of the most overpriced accommodation in Manchester. There are a few gems hiding amongst the deadwood, but the area is a hotspot for crime on students. Why not take a look at the semi-detached houses between Wilmslow Road and Yew Tree Road? They tend to be a better standard, and the rent is often cheaper.
4. Have a Good Look Around: When viewing a house, don't be pressured by the landlord to move on quickly. Take your time. See if there's a draft from the back door, or anything that looks like it's on its last legs. Bring a digital camera and take some photos so that you can look at them later before making a decision.
5. Talk To the Current Tenants: There's no better information about the house you want to rent then from someone who's already living there. Ask them if they've been burgled or if they've had any other problems. How much was their last gas bill? Don't be afraid to talk to them!
6. Have Your Contract Checked: Once you've settled on the house you want to live in next year, you will have to sign a contract with the landlord. The law requires landlords to give prospective tenants reasonable time to read the contract before signing it, which means you can take a copy away with you to be checked by someone else. I recommend that you take your contract to be checked by the Students' Union Advice Centre or by Manchester Student Homes. They can tell you if there's any terms that are unfair, and also about your responsibility as a tenant. If the landlord is pressuring you to sign before having your contract checked, or he doesn't let you have a copy to take away, then walk away from the deal.

It's never too late to find a great house to rent for next year, so if you're not satisfied then just keep looking.

JR

Useful Links

• MMUnion Advice Centre - Housing FAQ
• Manchester Student Homes