Things a student should ask during a property viewing
Cath, Assistant Lettings Manager, highlights a few key questions students should ask while viewing student accommodation in Cardiff...
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
One of the most exciting things about finding student accommodation is the viewings you’ll be attending at different properties to find the perfect place - unless you leave it too late and are left stressing over the few options available!
Student property viewings may be exciting, but they are also essential as they allow you to ask the right questions that can reassure you when making your decision on where you’d like to live during the academic year.
So, what should a student ask during a property viewing?
What does the rent include?
The first thing to check is whether the property is definitely within your budget. To be honest, you should really be asking this question before you even book the viewing so that you don’t waste your time. You’ll see the price of the rent on the listing and may assume that this covers everything - a lot of the time it does, but it’s vital that you check whether it includes bills, and if so, does it include all bills or just certain bills? If you’ll have to take care of some utility bills on top of the rent, ask how much each student tenant can expect to pay each month to cover them.
Read: A guide to student accommodation and bills
Will areas of the property that need attention be rectified?
You may plan to stay in the property for just a year or two, but that doesn’t mean you need to ignore any glaring maintenance issues you spot during the viewing. For example, if there’s damp patches, large cracks in a wall, peeling or flaky paint, broken tiles on the floor etc. ask whether these issues will be dealt with by the letting agent or landlord before any moving in date. Chances are the issues are already noted and are in the process of being fixed, but it’s still a good idea to double check so that you can be sure you’d be moving into safe and pleasant student accommodation.
What’s the parking and public transport situation?
If you drive, parking in a busy city like Cardiff can be tricky at times. Many private student properties in Cardiff come with off-road parking and often require a parking permit. Ask about the situation so that you know where you can park and what sort of fees you may have to pay. You’ll also want to be aware of safe and legal places that visitors can park. If you don’t drive, ask about the local public transport links and make sure they take you to where you need to be at convenient times - namely the university! Most of Cardiff is well covered by buses that link suburbs with the city centre, and depending on where you are, some areas are served by train stations as well.
Is the WiFi connection reliable?
One thing students rely heavily on is a strong and stable internet connection. You won’t want to be uploading large essay or dissertation documents or trying to research online with a weak internet connection that dips in and out of signal. These days, most properties have access to super-fast broadband, so if it’s included in the rent make sure the speed offered is acceptable in every room you’ll need it. If it’s not included, make sure you you’ll be able to connect yourself up with an acceptable speed in the area the property is located.
Read: Is student private housing better than university halls?
Are there any recommended pubs, cafes or restaurants nearby?
The one great thing about Cardiff is that many of the student-centric suburbs cater for students fantastically well. Ask about local pubs, cafes and restaurants and get some recommendations on some of the best places to go. Whether it’s places known to offer great student discounts, or social hot spots where likeminded people gather to have fun and get away from the stresses of studying every once in a while.
Do you feel safe in the property and when walking around the area?
Last, but most certainly not least, ask yourself how safe and comfortable you’d feel living in the property. Take a stroll around the local area and get a feel for it’s vibe. If for whatever reason something doesn’t quite feel right, you’ll know to continue your search. There are many ideal student locations across Cardiff, so if in doubt don’t hesitate to speak to local letting agents so that you can expand your search into other safe and suitable areas.
Read: Best areas to live in Cardiff for a student
Here at CPS Homes, our team of letting agents are here to help students along every step of their student accommodation search. Check out our useful student guide and if you have any questions or would like to learn more about how we can help you find the perfect student house or flat, reach out by calling 02920 668585, e-mailing enquiries@cpshomes.co.uk or by popping 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.
