Blog: 5 things I wish I knew before moving into a second year house
Written by Student Content Shaper and final year student Ellen Campbell
Moving into a student house is an exciting process, however it can also be daunting and often overwhelming. To help you make the transition from student accommodation to a rented property, here are my top five things you must not forget during the process.
1. Council Tax
There can be a lot of administrative tasks to complete so it is important to stay on top of these and keep copies of any documents. One task that is often overlooked by students is applying for a student exemption from council tax, to ensure you are not charged during your time at university. This process involves logging into the Birmingham City Council website and completing the form that confirms you are exempt from paying tax due to being a full-time student. Complete this as soon as possible once moving into your new property, so therefore if you face problems you will have plentiful time to get in contact with the council before your lease is over. Additionally, landlords will often ask for confirmation of this exemption certificate, so be sure to complete it as soon as possible.
2. Bill payments
Unlike student accommodation, often utilities are not included in your rent payments, and you need to set these up separately. It is essential to talk to your housemates and decide whether you would like to pay for all your utilities individually or find a package that includes all utilities. Utilities include gas, electricity, water, broadband and TV license. There are lots of companies that provide a package including all these amenities for a set price monthly, or you can find individual suppliers and pay for your utilities individually. Then, you must set up a direct debit with your chosen supplier to ensure payments are made on time. My housemates and I selected a package from Huddle that supplies all utilities, which I would highly recommend.
3. Inventory
When first moving into your new home, I suggest making use of the inventory. This can be supplied by your landlord and includes a list of all appliances and furniture in the property. Go through your house and annotate this list by making notes of any pre-existing damages. Alongside this, you can take photos of anything unclean or in need of repair and submit them to your landlord. This ensures that you will not be charged for any pre-existing discrepancies and can be returned your deposit in full.
4. Talk to your landlord
In line with this, it is essential to remain in contact with your landlord throughout your tenancy and to report any incidents or damages immediately, even if they seem minor. Otherwise, this will be a hassle for both you and your landlord when leaving the property and you may face additional charges. I understand it can be daunting to report a problem to your landlord, but accidents do happen, and your landlord will be understanding of this. Landlords just want the property to remain in good condition, so refrain from hiding things.
5. Set expectations
Finally, living with your friends is a fun and exciting part of university, however I recommend setting expectations with your housemates prior to moving in. Room allocation can often be challenging, so have a conversation with your housemates and assign rooms before moving in to ensure everyone is happy and avoid any future disagreements. Additionally, discuss aspects such as cleaning and bin rotas to help your home run smoothly. Though it can seem unnecessary, this will not only guarantee the cleanliness of your home but will evade any arguments. My housemates and I had something similar to a points system, in which housekeeping was one aspect considered weekly.
Though living in a rented home can be intimidating at times, it can also be a highlight of your university experience. To make the most of your university life, be sure to refer to UoB’s Student Intranet as it provides plentiful resources including staying safe in Selly Oak, cost of living and wellbeing support.