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If you’re looking at Leeds university accommodation, and unsure whether you should opt for halls or a shared house, you won’t be the first student to feel like this. After all, it’s a big decision to make.
To help, here we talk about the two different types of student accommodation, and look at the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Halls of residence
A good option if you’re a fresher, and especially if it will be your first time living away from home. Halls offer you an easy entry into independent life.
Bills tend to be included in your rent, so you don’t need to worry about sorting things like heating, electricity and broadband. You’ll still need to pay for a TV licence if you plan to watch live TV and get contents insurance for your belongings.
Residential advisors – usually postgrad students – live in halls with you and they’re there to help if you have any problems or concerns, so you may find that reassuring.
If your cooking skills aren’t up to much, you can opt for catered accommodation, so you won’t go hungry.
Halls can be a noisy place to live, so if you like peace and quiet, you might find the constant activity takes a bit of getting used to.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that you won’t know who you’ll be living with – you could find your new BFF, or your worst nightmare. However, most people have the best time with their new neighbours and love having a ready-made set of friends to hang out with.
Student houses
If it’s your second or third year, you’ll probably be thinking about looking for student houses in Leeds, rather than staying in halls.
After all, by the second year, you’ve probably found a great group of friends, so what could be more exciting than getting a student flat together!
A house share allows you full independence. You’ll get to flex your cooking skills in your own kitchen and have a lounge to hang out together in, and maybe even a garden. You can have house parties (remember to be considerate to your neighbours), have people round and generally be your own boss.
You’ll also have a lot more options when looking for Leeds uni houses. You can choose which area of Leeds to live in and you’ll find a wider variety of accommodation in the private rental market.
House sharing, however, can bring its own set of frustrations, such as squabbles over bills or housework. You can navigate these hurdles by drawing up a cleaning rota and using a bill-splitting app such as Splitwise to ease the process. Make sure everyone’s name is put on the utility bills so you’re all jointly responsible.
You’ll also need to sort out ‘grown-up’ stuff like finding a broadband and utilities provider and apply for a student Council Tax discount. And if anything goes wrong with the house, it will be up to you to talk to your landlord to sort it out.
Whether you opt for halls or a student flat, we’re sure that you’ll have a wonderful time in your accommodation.
If you’ve decided that a house share is for you, we have lots of Leeds uni houses on our books in Hyde Park, Meanwood, Headingley, Burley and Woodhouse. Why not browse our current available properties or give us call on 0113 487 1573.