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When Should You Start Looking for Student Housing in Leeds?
So, you’ve chosen your future housemates, talked about where you want to live and maybe even talked about décor! But when do you actually get down to finding a place to live?
When to rent student property in Leeds is probably one of the most common questions when it comes to house-hunting and if this is your first time looking for student accommodation in Leeds, you may be feeling slightly unsure about the process or worried about missing out on the best properties. Don’t worry. With our easy-to-follow guide, we’ll tell you about the best time to find a student home as well as offering some great tips on how to seal the deal.
Create an accommodation Wishlist
Before you embark on your property search, it’s a good idea to do some research to help you narrow down your criteria. Have a look round the most popular student areas in Leeds so you can get a feel for them and what they have to offer. Then consider your non-negotiables when it comes to your student home - do you need a parking space, for example - and things you’re more willing to compromise on, such as distance to the university. Finally, work out your budget, so you know how much you’ll have to spend on accommodation.
September to October
Although you might only just be settling into your first semester, some eager beavers will already be thinking about sorting their next year’s accommodation. The best properties soon get snapped up, so to stay in the game, make sure that you register with a few letting agents, sign up to mailing lists and check social media to help you keep on top of available properties.
However, for first-timers thinking about when to rent student property in Leeds, embarking on a house hunt so soon after starting university isn’t really practical. It’s unlikely you’ll have found your tribe only a month in. If this is you, don’t worry, there will be lots of others in the same position.
November to January
This is where the fun really starts! November through to January is probably the best time to find a student home. It’s when letting agents are at their busiest and the streets of Headingley, Meanwood, Hyde Park and Kirkstall become alive with students jostling for the best properties.
Starting your accommodation search as early in this timeframe as is practical will give you the widest choice of homes. Having a chat with our letting agents to let them know what you’re looking for can really pay dividends as they can contact you first if something new comes up. Don’t forget to check the company’s social media too.
Once you’ve seen the look of a property you like online, you should arrange a viewing. Although the market moves fast, it’s a crucial step before making a commitment. Check out the property with your future housemates, making sure you’re happy with the size, look and feel of the rooms and communal areas, as well as the street and nearby amenities. If you all like the property, you need to be able to make a quick decision and move fast. Which leads us onto…
Be prepared
In a competitive market, it really helps to have everything ready to go so you can snap up your dream property once you’ve seen it. That means having enough money for a holding deposit (which reserves the property before the tenancy agreement is signed and signifies your commitment to renting the property), having your ID and proof of student status handy, and knowing who your guarantor is going to be.
What happens if you’re late?
Sometimes even the best laid plans can fall through. Perhaps you didn’t find a group to live with until later in the year or you’ve got a last-minute university place through clearing. Try not to panic. Some laidback students won’t even start their search until March or April and even in the competitive student rental world, there will be options, such as cancellations or new listings. The most important thing is to keep in touch with various letting agencies so that you’re front of mind when something becomes available. You can also use online platforms to connect with other students looking for a house share or those who may have a room in their shared home available.
We hope our article has helped you to understand when to rent student property in Leeds. Not only does starting your search early give you the best choice of accommodation, it means you can relax for the rest of the year, safe in the knowledge that your next home is in the bag.
Begin the hunt for your new student accommodation here.