Ten things to remember in your uni budget!

Which? Recently released these top tips which students sometimes forget to take into account when budgeting. We think this is a great representation of things which can easily be forgotten, and they provide some great ideas to remedy them too! You can read the original article here: http://university.which.co.uk/advice/student-finance-budgeting-things-to-remember :)

1. Course materials

Starting university comes with a fair few upfront costs, including course materials. 45% of the first years we spoke to told us that they have spent more than expected on extras such as books and arts materials. Here are some of the ways you can save.

Many universities run second-hand book sales, giving you the opportunity to buy books from older students (and to sell them once you've finished with them!).

Which texts do you actually need to buy? Head to the library to see which ones you can borrow.

Discounts - you may be able to get cheaper deals on course materials by buying direct from your uni department, and don't forget to make the most of your NUS Extra discount card.

 2. Transport

Whether it's a bus to lectures or travelling back home for the holidays, you'll need to factor in travel costs. To help, there are student travel cards out there to help you reduce the costs of getting around by as much as a third:

16-25 Railcard - £28 a year for a third off rail fares.

18+ Student Oyster Photocard - pay a £10 admin fee for 30% off London travelcard costs.

Young Persons Coachcard - £10 a year (plus £1.50 p&p) for a third off coach fares.

For added savings, plan ahead and book in advance if possible.

3. Food

It’s a myth that students live off baked beans – it is possible to eat normally and healthily whatever your budget. Here are a couple of pointers to get you started:

Prevent impulse buys in the supermarket by making a shopping list – and sticking to it.

Cook in bulk and freeze. This way nothing gets wasted, it works out a lot cheaper and you always have a back-up plan when the cupboards are bare!

Make packed lunches for cheaper meals on the go.

4. Entertainment

From freshers' week to club subs, student nights, gigs, fancy dress, sport or a quick catch-up with friends at the union - the cost of socializing can soon mount up. Try and allocate yourself so much a week during term time for 'entertainment'. Being sociable doesn't have to be expensive - think nights in with housemates, free events at your union or two-for-one cinema nights.

Student-specific discount websites such as NUS Extra, Student Beans and Urban Tribe offer deals on cheap days and nights out including theme park visits, cinema and theater trips and eating out.

 5. Utilities

If you’re in halls of residence, utilities such as gas, electricity and water are usually included as part of your rent - but that might not be the case if you're heading into private housing. Along with your rent, you'll need to put aside a certain amount each month to cover utility bills. Setting up regular payments is a good way of managing the outlay.

If you're able to, see if you could save by moving to a different energy supplier or tariff. You can compare energy suppliers online (using a free service such as Which? Switch). Online deals are usually among the cheapest, plus you'll often get an extra discount if paying by direct debit. And of course, there are lots of steps you can take to use less energy in the first place.

6. Internet

This is another cost you'll often have covered in halls of residence, but will need to factor in if you're in private housing.

Don’t forget that there are often a few costs involved beyond the quoted broadband price – the cost of installing a phone line and monthly line rental, for instance. Again, compare deals online to check you're on a good value package.

 7. Insurance

You might be surprised how much your belongings are actually worth - try totting up the cost of your laptop, smartphone, TV, clothes, specialist course equipment and so on. According to Endsleigh Insurance, the average student owns £1,981 worth of hi-tech gadgets.

You might be covered as part of your parents' home insurance policy - if not, student contents insurance packages start at around £10 a month.

 8. Toiletries

You might not realize until you become a student how much things like toothpaste and shower gel cost! Set enough aside for the basics, making the most of special offers and value brands.

 9. Clothes

It’s tempting once you get your loan to head straight to the shops but you'll regret blowing your clothes budget in the first week. Save money by:

Making the most of student discounts in shops (and online by checking out deals on sites such as MyUniDays).

Find extra discounts and money back by shopping online through cashback websites.

Consider clothes swapping – try online on websites such as BigWardrobe, or host your own clothes swapping party for a fun, cheap alternative to shopping!

10. Extra study expenses

Printing, photocopying, library fines (avoid these, if possible!). The little costs can add up  – here’s how to keep them to a minimum:

If you're taking a course where you're likely to be submitting lots of essays, it might be worth buying a printer (you can get a decent budget one for under £50) rather than using university facilities.

Print double-sided and in black and white.

Student Money Saving Tips

Student Money Saving Tips

·         Plan meals in advance

Walking back from a lecture, don’t get too tempted just to grab a quick lunch and a coffee with friends. Preparing food at home is a great way to save money over the week, and there’s no need to cut back on the ingredients you love if you budget correctly.

·         Enjoy student discounts

Congratulations – you are now eligible for a ridiculous number of discounts. This doesn’t mean you should be increasing your spending just to enjoy them, but it does mean savings when you do go shopping. Always check with retailers if they offer student discount, and check out https://www.myunidays.com/ - you’ll be surprised just how much you can save, and you can even download an app to your phone.

·         Travel smarter

Now you’ve moved away to university, travelling home for a weekend or visiting friends at other universities can be a costly affair, but that doesn’t have to put you off. There's the 16-25 railcard that can get you up to a third off rail fares, and coach cards which can save you up to a third off coach travel too. Always try and travel at off-peak times if you can, and book your travel as far in advance as possible – this way you’ll get the cheapest fare and your discount!

·         Sell, sell, sell

Are your text books from last year just lying around gathering dust? Your textbooks are surprisingly valuable, so when you’re sure that a book is no longer necessary for your studies, head to Amazon to trade it in for a gift card, or John Smiths on campus to trade it in, or even try advertising it to students in lower years – they’ll save a fair few of their precious pounds by buying it second hand, and you’ll be able to fund your next weekend’s activities!

·         Buy non-branded

The quality of own brand labels is often indistinguishable from that of branded produce. Avoiding the household names can mean a hefty saving on filling the fridge, so you’d be wise to look beyond the labels.Next time an all-nighter leaves you with a headache, remember that the same principle also applies to medicines. Branded pain killers can be significantly more expensive than supermarket versions, which often sell for less than £1.

·         Avoid the kebab shop

You’re on your way home from another night of dancing and trying to converse over a deafening beat. It’s time for something greasy, and you can already smell the kebab shop on the crisp morning air… STOP!! Adding fast food to each and every night out is going to take its toll, not only on your waistline, but also on your finances. Indulge in some cheesy chips from time to time, but if you’re serious about saving money, try returning home to a bowl of cereal or some toasted pitta… and a pint of water or two!

Leaving Student Halls of Residence?

Is it time for you to leave the safety of student halls? Here’s a few things to bare in mind…

1.    Housing is expensive

Before you’ve even moved in, you’re going to need to fork out for a deposit (normally one month’s rent in advance, if not more) which you should get back depending on the state of the house when you move out – but for most of you, that’ll be 12 months away. Remember lots of agencies charge a fee on top of this deposit – and this is something you won’t get back. At SUSU lettings, we’ll never charge you an agency fee, and as long as you keep the house in the same condition as you received it, you should expect to get your deposit back!

2.    Arguments

Unfortunately, no matter how close you all were in first year, the chances are that you’re going to have a few fall outs now that you’re all bunched up in a house together and having to worry about additional responsibilities like paying bills. Arguments can range from when to put the heating on, to who’s left their washing up. Try and all have a rota system in place for cleaning, and agree set times for the heating to come on. If you’re not going to do your washing up straight away, why not keep it in your room? Then it’s only you that has to put up with it (and you’ll probably do it a lot sooner if you’re having to smell 3 day old pasta bake every night before bed…).

3. Bills

If you’re lucky enough to have a pay as you go electricity and/or gas meter, you can keep a track on how often you are topping up and you won’t get a surprise £2000 bill in 3 months. If you get paper bills, just be careful in your first month and then plan the next few months depending on the cost of the first bill. Remember to take your meter readings as soon as you move in so you’re only charged for what you use! Water is also something to consider, and it generally comes every quarter of a year, so don’t forget about this.

4. Cleaning is something most students like to avoid

Remember those lovely cleaners in first year that woke you up at 7am every morning with the hoover? Luckily for you (and probably your sore head) they are gone, but now there is actually no one to run around after you and clean up your mess. Not only do you have to clean your own room, you have to be responsible for the rest of the house if you want to get your deposit back. Try making a rota you can all stick to, and be sure to rotate the jobs everyone favours the least, like taking out the bins!

5. Parties are a pain

Do you remember those lovely parties you had in halls that the cleaners just tidied up after? Well now it’s different, as you have the responsibility to clean up the aftermath and at the same time hold on to that precious deposit of yours. Not only that, you have neighbours to consider. Try placing cardboard on your carpets to prevent spills and restrict access to bedrooms. Always always clean up mess as soon as it happens, don’t leave something to soak into the carpet, you’ll regret it the next day! Sometimes your landlord will require you to notify them if you’re intending on having a lot of people round – make sure you check this in your contract! Also, always notify neighbours of any big parties you’re having – there’s nothing worse than upsetting the neighbours!

Five Top Tips for Moving into a Student House!

Moving into your first student house is one of the most exciting things you’ll experience at uni! What could be better than your own place full of your friends? Take a minute to read our 5 top tips to make your first house moving experience the best it can be!

1) Find a nice house

Although this may seem obvious, it's something that has to be thought about! Luckily there is an abundance of student property in Southampton, so finding a house that suits everyone’s needs shouldn't be too difficult. Make sure you find a property that’s in good location, a condition that you can actually live in and make sure you all agree on the property you’re going to rent – everyone needs to be happy! 

Just click here to see all the properties SUSU lettings have to offer! 

2) Record readings from the utility meters

When you move into the property you should take readings from the gas and electricity meters (as well as the water meter, if applicable). Make sure you keep these readings in a safe place, and contact your utility providers with them. This will make sure you only pay for energy that you have used and not what the previous tenant has used.

3) Inform the council that you’re all students

All students are council tax exempt – but you’ll have to get in touch with the local council and let them know how many people are staying in the property. Sometimes this is done automatically by the university – just make sure you update your address on SUSSED so they know where you are living! If you receive any letters be sure to send the council proof of your enrollment. However, if anyone drops out of education but remains living in the property, they will have to pay council tax.

4) Write an inventory

An inventory list will cover everything that is in the property when you move into it – this could cover things like wardrobes, beds, cookers and so on. Also make a note of any damage that was present when you arrived – like paint chips, blue tac marks or dents and scrapes. By writing this list and having the landlord and/or letting agency agree to it, everyone knows what needs to be left in the property once you move out, and knows what damage was not down to you! This will help with getting deposits back at the end of the year.

5) Keep it tidy

Try and make an effort to keep everything tidy and in good condition – not just for the duration of time that you live there, but when you move out. Remember landlords can withhold your deposit on the property if you’ve trashed it, so make sure the house is well looked after.

Didn't manage to get a room in halls? Don't Panic...

Living in campus halls doesn’t have to be essential to your student life. You might be a fresher looking for housing or a second year flying your new nest. Don’t fret! Here’s some reasons why it’s not the end of the world if you miss out or are leaving halls, halls living does come with its shortcomings…

1.            Living with friends

Living in halls can feel like a bit of a social lottery. Although you make some great friendships once you’re done frantically running around trying to recruit your new gang, relationships with your neighbours rarely last. The nature of your acquaintance is built off of being randomly allocated rooms near to each other. Hardly the basis for a lasting bond. Private housing stops all this commotion. You can choose your housemates yourself (using whatever criteria you wish) who can develop into friends for life, not just someone you share a fridge with.

2.            Peace and quiet

It goes without saying that halls have their noisier moments. Pre-drinks, noisy neighbours blasting their tunes or football chants at 5am. You might be in the thick of it mostly, but sometimes you’ll want to chill in with Netflix. While there’s no guarantee that off-campus accommodation will ensure you a full night’s rest, your sleep at least won’t be disturbed by rowdy drunkenness or fire drills in December.

3.            Privacy

The advent of apartment life also entitles you to more privacy than you would otherwise get. There are no dorm inspections, nor are there parties upstairs when you’re trying to study. The walls tend to be thicker and the whole building will be independent from the campus. No more wooden conversations with neighbours you don’t know that well in awkward hallways.

4.            Growing independence

No longer will you have to share one shower or struggle with the dodgy wifi. While freedom may come at the cost of sorting out your own bills and utilities, it’s the first step towards self-sufficiency. From this point onwards you’ll have proper facilities to cook for yourself and watch live TV. Live TV… remember that?

5.            Cheaper Cost

Generally, living independently from campus halls also makes for a slightly reduced rent. Student houses have a fixed monthly rate, which will be split between you and your housemates, making for a cheaper overall cost than most uni halls.

6.            Living Area

No apartment is complete without a sitting room of some kind. A communal space to sit people down and have real social interaction instead of squeezing 6 people on those tiny blue ‘sofas’. While most halls have a square of carpet to call your own, privately-owned property will have a living room perfect for slouching, duvet days and getting together with friends. Just make sure you move the Roosters boxes off the cushions first.

FAQ's

Q. Do I have to fill in any forms?
A. Yes, we have an application form along with terms and conditions which all tenants must fill out. The application form can be found completed online or in the office. We will also send guarantor forms to your parents or other family members to fill out as part of the letting process.


Q. How much is the security deposit?
A. The security deposit is £100.00 more than the monthly rent per person. This will be registered with the DPS (or your landlord’s choice of deposit protection scheme). The deposit is refundable at the end of the tenancy as long as there are no damages or rent arrears. E.g your rent is £325.00 a month, your deposit would be £425.00. The security deposit needs to be paid within 2 weeks of paying the holding deposit.


Q. What do I have to pay to reserve a property?
A. We ask for a holding deposit of £100.00 per person to secure the property. This will become part of your first month’s rent.

Q. Minimum contract length? And am I committed to pay rent for a fixed length of time?
A. Most of our contracts are 12 months. We occasionally have some tenancies that are shorter. Yes, you are committed and legally required to pay rent until the contract ends.

Q. Who will maintain and manage the property?
A. If the property is managed by SUSU Lettings, you should contact us with all maintenance, management and rent issues. Details will be provided about the various ways of contacting us. If the landlord manages the property, you will be given their contact details when collecting your keys. You will be informed about which service you will have when you view the property.


Q. Who will pay for the utilities, services and TV Licence?
A. Unless stated otherwise, bills will be the responsibility of the tenant(s). There will be no council tax charge when a house is occupied ONLY by full time students. There are specific rules governing who is classed as a full-time student and tenants are advised to check this before choosing whom to live with.


Q. Will my belongings be covered by the Landlord’s insurance?
A. No, tenants must take out insurance for their own belongings. It is a good idea to look at insurance companies. We can also recommend companies if you ask. You should also check whether you are covered by your family’s home insurance too.

Q. Will my deposit be protected?
A. Yes, if SUSU Lettings is managing the property, it will be registered through the DPS (Deposit Protection service). If your landlord is managing the property, they will either register it through Mydeposits, the TDS or the DPS. Details about which scheme is being used will be provided in the tenancy agreement. Landlords must send proof to tenants about the registration of their deposits within 30 days of receiving the deposit.

Q. Will I get an inventory for the property?
A. Yes, if the property is managed by SUSU Lettings. A professional inventory will be completed. It will document the exact condition of the property with digital photos.

Q. Can I rent properties through you if I’m not a student?
A. The only non-students able to rent through SUSU Lettings are alumni and staff. There is a fee of £100.00 including V.A.T per person.

Q. When should I have a house by?
A. You should have a house sorted by the time your course starts. We would not advertise looking sooner than January to find a property.

Q. What happens if I need to drop out?
A. If you have not signed the tenancy agreement, the security deposit of £100.00 will be forfeited. If you have signed the tenancy agreement you will need to find a replacement for yourself.

Q. How can I find house mates?
A. There are Facebook groups to help with this. Search The University of Southampton and the housing groups. SUSU Lettings also has its own group to help with this.

Q. Are there any hidden charges?
A. All charges that are in the contract are stated in the terms of conditions that you will read before signing the tenancy agreement.

Q. How do I complain about my landlord?
A. If you are having problems with your landlord you can come and complain to SUSU Lettings. All complaints will be handled anonymously if preferred.

Q. Average bill costs?
A. Depending on the size of the property and how many people are living in there will depend on the price of the bills. Usually they are around £40 a month per person for gas, electric and water.

Q. How do I take meter readings?
A. You can find the readings on the electric and gas meters. These are usually located under the stairs.
Q. What safety certificates does the property require?
A. All properties are different. All properties require an EPC (Energy performance Certificate). Most will require an Electrical Safety certificate. If the property has gas it will need a gas safety certificate. If the property is a HMO it will require a licence from the council.

Q.Why do we pay rent in advance?
A. You are asked to pay in advance to make sure that the money is sitting in our account. The money needs to be in our accounts so that we can send it to the landlord in time.

Q. Emergency contact details for out of hours?
A. There is an emergency maintenance contractor on standby. If they are called out for a non-emergency you will be expected to pay a call out charge.

Jargon Buster

Ever been confused by what certain terms mean? Here's a list of what we think are some of the most common 'jargon' you might come across, we hope this help clears up some confusion!

Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement: This is for a fixed term of 12 months, that is, it has a starting date and an end date. If you sign a fixed term contract you are liable to pay rent for the full period, unless there is a specific clause allowing you to give notice to quit (this is very rare). This type of agreement means that you are a tenant and have exclusive possession of the property. The landlord/agent can have access to the property (e.g. for repairs/inspections), but you should be given notice and they should only call during reasonable working hours.

Exclusive Possession: a type of tenancy where a landlord is required to have a valid permission before entering the house you have rented

Fixed Term Contract: A contract which you are locked into renting for a specific period (often 6 months or more) unless there is a specific break clause written into the contract

Joint and Severally Liable: a housing agreement (an Assured Shorthold Tenancy) signed by all housemates 

Guarantor: a person agreeing to pay you rent in your absence – and possibly that of your housemates if your contract is Joint and Severally Liable 

Holding Deposit: different to Security Deposit as it is sometimes charged by landlords prior to you signing an agreement as a guarantee you will take the house. Here at SUSU Lettings the holding deposit will become part of your first month’s rent. 

Security Deposit: your payment (held in a recognised scheme) to protect your landlord from potential costs or unpaid bills when you move out 

Hidden Costs: money you may find yourself having to pay if you don’t read the small print

SASSH: the Southampton Accreditation Scheme for Student Housing

Letting Agents: an estates Agents or other commercial enterprise who earn a profit from helping you find a house or flat and 

Environmental Health Service: the local authority department responsible for ensuring your landlord complies with legislation which is adequate and healthy

Statute 21 Notice of Eviction: a court notice which needs be served if the landlord wishes to evict you from an Assured Shorthold Tenancy before the end of the fixed term

Gas Safety Certificate: all gas appliances your landlord provides must be correctly maintained and a gas safety check carried out every 12 months by a GAS Safe registered engineer. By law your landlord must give you a copy of the Landlord’s Gas Safety Record (also referred to as the Landlords’ gas Safety Certificate)

Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO): is a house, or a flat that is occupied by more than one household. If the property is on at least 3 stories, and contains 5 or more people, it will need to be licensed by your local council

Unfair Terms: a clause in your rental agreement not written in clear plain English or that is unreasonable such as:
• the landlord has the power to change the agreement when s/he likes
• you have to pay costs for which the landlord should be responsible
• that the landlord can come round when they wish without a valid reason 

Rent arrears: overdue money for your property that has not been paid on time. 

Inventory: a detailed document stating the condition of the fixtures and furnishings before moving in to your house.

Check out report: a document detailing the condition of the property once you have moved out. This will be compared to the inventory to decide if any deductions will be made from your deposit. 

Fair wear and tear: The deterioration of items attributed to normal usage.

Standing order: an agreement set up with you and your bank for monthly rent payments. A standing order is not the same as a direct debit. 

Fully Managed: the agency looks after everything to do with the property, including maintenance and rent.

Let Only: typically the landlord deals with all maintenance and rent once you have moved in to the property.

DPS, TDS, Mydeposits: Deposit Protection Service, The Tenancy Deposit Scheme and Mydeposits are the three schemes that your deposit must be registered with. This must be done within 30 day of you paying.

Top tips for finding your student house

Finding your dream student house can be a daunting experience. We know, we’ve been there! So, whether you’re looking for a house in Portswood or a flat in Swaythling, here’s SUSU Lettings top tips to make house hunting a doddle.

1.       Make sure all the housemates view the property

When viewing a house look out for anything that might be problematic. Watch out for any tell-tale signs of mould, draft windows, structural issues or anything else that might be a worry. It’s always worth your while to have another viewing to double check everything’s as it should be. Don’t let landlords rush your decision! Take your time and make sure this is the right property for you.

2.       Check the rooms have locks

This might not be for everyone, but bedroom locks are an essential to most experienced student tenants. We’re not implying your housemates will be robbing your stuff at any chance they get, but it’s an easy way to avoid conflict later on. If you’re ever unlucky enough to get burgled (touch wood!), no locks invalidate insurance and leave your stuff ripe for the picking. 

3.       Location, location, location

Remember Kirsty and Phil’s mantra, location is very important! Before viewing houses know what your priorities are, do you want to be close to library or Jesters? As a rule of thumb, freshers and second years tend to live in Portswood (think the Waitrose end) and third years stick near the campus, but this is not always the case. Do the journeys from your property to really see what they’re really like, Google maps will only be so realistic!

4.       Study the contract

You’re probably in the habit of scrolling though T&Cs and clicking the ‘agree’ box online. These terms and conditions are different, don’t make this mistake. This is serious business and you definitely need to dedicate time to checking exactly what it is you’re signing. Pop to the SUSU lettings desk with your contract (in the SUSU building) and we can have a read through with you, or head over to the advice centre who can also help. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!

5.       Check what the rent includes

It could be the cheapest rent around, but always remember to ask what this includes. This could turn out to be more costly in the long run than more expensive, inclusive prices. Draw up a budget of your expected monthly bills and add these to rent prices so you easily compare different rent types so everyone knows exactly where they stand.

6.       Ask questions

There’s no such thing as a dumb question, so don’t be afraid to ask about any bits you’re unsure of. It’s probably nothing the landlord hasn't heard before, so go for it! If the tenants are in, ask them questions too, you’ll be sure to get an honest answer.