Is student private housing better than university halls?
Rhys Owen, Senior Property Advisor, highlights a few reasons why student private housing may be a better option than university halls for you personally...
The university experience for students is an extremely important part of life. It’s an experience that not only has you working your way through arguably the most important educational years as you build towards creating the foundations of your future career, but where you learn so much about all aspects of life, where you meet new people, and perhaps get to understand a new city or even a new culture.
Your work, rest and play balance may not always be quite as in sync as you think it should be during your years of study, but where you live during your university years can have a big impact.
In fact, your student accommodation will have a big impact on your overall university experience.
You want to be comfortable, relaxed, and as happy as possible in your humble student abode.
Do you find student campus digs expensive? Are you tired of queuing up to use communal showers? Do you wish you didn’t have to put up with kitchen small talk every time you cook a meal? Are things just a bit too loud and boisterous and turning your head away from focusing on your studies too often?
These are all things that can negatively affect your studies, attitude, and overall mood during your university years.
Opting for private housing that is designed to attract students could be the answer as the benefits on offer can help eradicate all those problems you may have been facing by living at a university campus.
Read: When Should You Start Scouting For Student Accommodation?
What are the benefits of private housing for students?
The cost of student private housing versus on-campus accommodation
Renting a private property, or room within a private property, can work out a lot cheaper than student halls, and in a city like Cardiff there are many different areas and property types, meaning there is always something to meet a range of budgets.
Once you know which area of the city your campus is based, pop along to some local letting agents and see what sort of student properties are available within the area. Even if you feel as though the properties stretch your budget too far or don’t show as much of a saving compared to student halls as you might’ve hoped, there is likely to be plenty of other options just an extra mile or two away where prices may start to fall quite significantly.
Read: Best Areas To Live In Cardiff For A Student
More choice over who you live with
In student halls you won’t have any say over who your neighbours are. You may be able to request a change of room if you’re unhappy, but that’s about as good as your options will get. When renting student accommodation privately you can meet any housemates beforehand during different viewings and get a real feel for each property on your shortlist.
Alternatively, there is always the option of renting a property entirely by yourself if you can comfortably afford it.
No worries about who you’re living with at all then, and plenty of peace and quiet to maximise your studies.
Less people at the property
In student halls you’ll be living with hundreds of people, whereas renting private student accommodation allows you to live with as few people as you like.
Less people will mean less queues for the bathroom and microwave (or oven!). Less waiting around and scheduling your use of things will allow you to live a far easier life, ensure you’re not always running late for lecturers, and generally have a better chance at enjoying your university experience.
Feels more like a home
Private properties will feel far more like an actual home - and that’s because they are built to be a home. You will have freedom to put your personal touch on the property, though within reason of course and after gaining approval from the landlord. In comparison, student halls tend to be very basic and clinical, which can leave you feeling a little cold emotionally and more prone to missing life at home.
Read: The Different Types Of Student Accommodation
Less distractions
With less people and a quieter environment, you can naturally expect far less distractions. In student halls you’d likely become familiar with parties passing your front door at silly-o-clock and random fire alarms being tested. In private student accommodation there will be no unnecessary or unwanted disruptions to hamper your focus, allowing you to study smarter and take planned disruptions in the form of study breaks at your own leisure.
Longer and more flexible tenancy contracts
Student halls tend to have strict tenancy contracts that run only through the Academic year, whereas renting in a private student property will allow you much more flexibility in terms of how long you’d like the contract to be.
Ultimately, contracts that are offered will always be at the landlords discretion, but at least renting privately means you’ll always have the option to have a discussion or to look specifically at student properties that offer a contract length that suits you.
This will allow you to stay in the property during university holidays or remain in the city to work throughout the summer.
Are you looking for student accommodation in Cardiff? If so, why not get in touch with our friendly lettings team here at CPS Homes to find out how we can help. Contact us by calling 02920 668585, e-mail enquiries@cpshomes.co.uk or simply pop into one of our three Cardiff based branches.
The information contained within this article was correct at the date of publishing and is not guaranteed to remain correct in the present day.
