Accommodation & Housing Fair
The SU,
University of Plymouth Students' Union
Category
Career Development and Job Fairs
The Students' Union Accommodation Fair is your opportunity to meet some local estate agents, companies and services that can support you in ensuring you are getting the best accommodation possible.
Who will be there?
Letting agents
Support services
Nook Plants
You will also find an SU stall where you will have the chance to win prizes!
FREE Contract checking
We offer a free tenancy checking service, so if you would like to forward us a copy of your tenancy agreement before you sign, we will be happy to read through it and offer comment to ensure your getting the best offer
Contact UPSU Advice: advice@su.plymouth.ac.uk
We have a few things we recommend you bear in mind when hunting:
- Don’t rush to sign up for the first good property you see.
The first one may be great, but the second, or third, or fourth could be even better.
- When you find a property you like, view it properly.
We don’t mean a quick scan around to see that it looks lovely and bright and roomy. Look at the condition of the property – are there any areas of concern that may cause future issues. One that crops up time and time again is damp and mould; easy to disguise with paint unless you look closely.
- Speak to the current tenants wherever possible Ask about their experience of the landlord/letting agent.
Have they been responsive to any concerns the tenants raised? Would they recommend them? Don’t forget, you can also look for online reviews on sites such as Trustpilot
- Find out about the area.
It may look lovely in the day, but it is problematic at night. If you have a car is there any parking? What about the neighbours? Is it a predominantly student area or a quiet residential street where the slightest bit of noise going to cause uproar about “those students”?
- Avoid the hard sell!
Letting agents may tell you they have multiple people wanting the property, so you have to sign up now. Don’t feel pressured into signing anything unless you are 100% certain this is the property for you. If the letting agent is not prepared to give you a little time to think, is this the type of company you want to be renting from?
- Think about the people you will be living with.
Whilst you may have a wonderful group of friends now, be aware that relationships can and do change. Living together can highlight differences in people, good and bad. If you have a carefree, the dishes can wait a few days attitude, living with someone who hates any mess may start to lead to conflict. Talk about your compatibility to live together before you sign up.
- What will happen if anything changes?
What if one of you changes your mind and doesn’t want to move in? What of you don’t achieve the year, and can’t continue, or decide you no longer want to stay. These are all things that can have a big impact and should be talked about in advance. Bear in mind lettings agents/landlords just want rental income, so if someone drops out, you could find yourself living with a random person you wouldn’t have ordinarily chosen to live with, or liable to continue paying rent even if you don’t live there.
We understand that you don’t want to get left behind while everyone else is snapping up the great properties, but it's important that you think carefully before you sign any tenancy to ensure you have made the right decision.
Tenancy Agreements are legally binding, and therefore very difficult to be released from once signed. There can be big financial implications, not only for you but also for your guarantor if you find yourself tied into a tenancy you no longer require. We offer a free tenancy checking service, so if you would like to forward us a copy of your tenancy agreement before you sign, we will be happy to read through it and offer comment.
We're also happy to give advice about any student housing enquiry. The easiest way to get in touch is via our online enquiry form.
Happy house hunting!
More information:
* SU Advice enquiry form
* SU Advice Accommodation resources
* Your house viewing checklist - take it to viewings (plus a guide to filling it out)
* UPSU Housing Community Facebook group