The Top Property Rental Tips for Oxford University Students
Finding the right accommodation to rent in Oxford can be a great challenge for the university student who already has a very limited amount of time, and money, not to mention a lack of experience in buying and renting property. Here are the top tips to help prevent you from suffering the stresses of renting the wrong property in Oxford.Rent with other university studentsThe cost of rent per person tends to go down as the number of sharers in the house increases. If you are a full time student you will be exempt from paying council tax, part time students on the other hand will still have to pay. Full time students should avoid sharing accommodation with part time students in case the household decides that it is unfair for the part-time student to pay the entire Council Tax bill on their own.Find your accommodation earlyThe best student accommodation in Oxford tends to go early.Use a UK property search engine like Gartoo to find the best properties early.Don’t be put off if the house is a messCleaning a house from top to bottom isn’t fun, but if the house is in a mess when you look around, don’t let this put you off as this is the fault of the previous tenant, and is not a reflection on the landlord or property.Interior > ExteriorDon’t worry if your house looks shoddy from the outside, just make sure the space you have to live in is up to scratch. Try to gauge the quality of the carpets and walls when you are looking around. Find out what furniture is included with the property The furniture you see in the property when you look around might belong to the previous tenant, be sure to ask your landlord what furniture is included.Find out what electrical appliances are included with the house.It really is useful to have a washing machine as laundrettes are rare in Oxford, and they are expensive compared to having your own washing machine. Don’t expect a TV either. Seek unbiased advice on what it’s like to live in Oxford It’s advisable to network with other students in Oxford by participating on student forums, and social networking websites such as Facebook. It’s likely that your landlord will have a vested interest in selling you the property, so be sure to take the landlord’s advice sparingly. Find a property in a safe areaOxford has a student population of approximately 30,000, which makes it a targeted area for burglars. Students should ask their Landlord to fit key operating locks on the windows and five lever deadlocks on all external doors. Before renting a property it is advisable to visit the area in the evening to get a feel for how safe the area is. See the latest property available in Oxford .
