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.