CONTRACT LENGTH - DON'T PAY FOR MORE THAN YOU NEED!
When you select a new home, make sure the contract is for the period that you need. Most students
just live in Sunderland for the duration of the academic year and then return to their parents home over the summer. The academic
year is usually 40 weeks. Many landlords insist that the contract length is longer than this, often as much as 52 weeks which
means that you can waste anything from at least £600 to well over £1500 depending on where you live on this contract
length issue alone!
I give 40 week contracts, as originally recommended by the University
however if students do wish to stay over the summer I charge half rent for this period.
ALL
INCLUSIVE DEALS (BILLS INCLUDED DEALS) - A COMPLETE RIP OFF?
Contrary to what some
may think, setting up and paying your own bills is quite simple and this is always much, much cheaper than virtually all of
the 'bills included deals' on offer. Many landlords charge typically at least double the true cost of supplying these
services (With others charging even higher multiples of the true cost - perhaps 4 times the true cost!) Additionally, with
some landlords, extra charges can be levied if gas or electricity consumption exceeds a specified level. It is essential that
you carefully weigh up the facts and then you could save a very great deal of money. (A house with 5 students can typically
save over £5000 or more between them if they control their own bills compared to most of the "All Inclusive Deals"!)
I always help my students set up the utility bills and multimedia facilities, give them
advice on how they can find the cheapest suppliers and minimize their consumption of energy to keep the costs as low as possible.
TV
LICENCE - ANOTHER BILLS INCLUDED RIP OFF?
Many students don't watch live TV these
days but if you do, you will need a TV licence. Just checking over the contract of one major provider of student accommodation
in Sunderland, (who operates throughout the country) I have noticed that though they advertise 'all bills included',
4 student friends living there would need to spend over £750 extra between them for TV licences covering their rooms
and communal lounge if they wished to watch any live TV in their own bedroom! This will be the same for many student houses
and halls.
In my houses, only one licence is required (£150-50) no matter how many students
live in the house, no matter where they watch the TV and no matter how many devices they use to watch the TV programs on.
MISCELLANEOUS TIPS
Can
you store stuff for free in your new home over the summer? Will your new landlord help you to move and transport your stuff
for free? Will your landlord be sympathetic if you break something, stain the carpet or are unable to clean up the house properly
when you leave? If a house has no free laundry facilities, how much will it cost each week to wash my clothes?
THESE
ARE JUST A FEW OF THE MANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU SHOULD ASK YOURSELF TO SAVE MONEY.
