The importance of house hunting and finding the right house whilst at university is hugely underestimated. It can be gruelling looking for house, especially at university, as there so many different things to consider; how do you decide on housemates or whether to have any at all? How do you know how much you can afford to spend? What about the location, is it better to be closer to campus or the town centre? There really is so much to consider with so little time to consider it, especially around lectures, seminars, extracurricular activities and a buzzing social life! Here are the top 5 things to avoid when searching for your new home:

Starting your search too late

Believe it or not, this is the most common mistake people make when student house hunting. Amongst all your studying, looking for a house is understandably the last thing you want to be doing. It’s advisable to start looking mid-November to December, as hopefully by then you’ll have made friends and know who you want to be living with – it will also be huge relief if you get it all sorted for when you go home over Christmas break so you can relax. However, do not panic and rush into it, start early and take your time.

Not putting enough thought into who you live with

This is one of the most important things to consider. Second year housing can come in all different forms, from a luxury private apartment to a house you can share with ten people. So, first of all you need to consider whether you want to live alone, this could be a great option if you’re not good with sharing and you like your own personal space. This can also be a great option to avoid the risk of falling out with your best friends because of living with each other. However, if not then just make sure you pick the right people. If you do decide to live with your friends make sure you agree on everything beforehand so you know what to expect.

Not keeping in mind your budget

Many people get carried away with house hunting and upon seeing a bigger, nicer place which is way above their budget feel persuaded to go for it. Only problem with this is that it means you’re broke for the rest of the year. So think carefully, look around and be sensible. You will find something which you like and is in your budget. Also, don’t forget that you also have to pay the deposit and then bills for Wi-Fi, electricity and gas every month!

Living too far away from campus

Living too far away from campus is a rooky mistake, especially if you’re low on funds because it means a lot of bus rides and taxis, which is never ideal if – like most students – you don’t have the money for it. So even if the price overall is cheaper you’ll make up for it in fares.

Agreeing on a house too quickly

It’s really important to take your time choosing the right house. A situation will arise when you’ve found a nice house maybe the second or third you’ve seen and the estate agents are telling you ‘you won’t find anything better’ and ‘other people are interested, so if you want it, take it now’. Don’t panic buy! That’s for when there’s only one pair of shoes left in stock – not one house! If it’s something you’re unsure on and you’ve only seen a couple of houses, just keep looking until you find what you want.