When it comes to selecting accommodations for students at universities, they now have more accommodation options than they did in the past.
Leicester is the city with the highest percentage for student accommodation in the United States (alongside Exeter) with 1 out of 15 properties being designated as student-friendly. With all the options available, it can be quite daunting. Here’s the advantages and disadvantages of student living in private accommodation which could make your decision a bit simpler!
What is private student accommodation?
Private student housing (or privately-owned halls) are not the same and include specifically designed buildings where students are able to rent rooms in the shared apartments. This is distinct from student housing, where you can also rent a space inside a house by a landlord, typically through an agent for letting. Private accommodation is also different from University run sites. Universities will provide information on both University and privately operated alternatives.
What are the advantages?
If you’re a social butterfly staying in a private accommodation for students might be the best option for you. Private student accommodation usually has rooms in which residents and you are able to hang out with each other.
For parents who are concerned regarding security and safety It is important to keep in mind that, unlike the private sector the private Leicester uni accommodation is usually staffed. This means that you will have a staff member on call throughout the day.
Private student accommodation typically provides excellent value in terms of value. Most often, you’ll have to pay fees for agency services on top of the deposit when you rent a room from an individual landlord or let agent. The typical fee for the nation is an astronomical PS208. In general, when you book an accommodation that is private there are no upfront costs required.
A quick lookup on the forums on The Student Room will turn up many horror stories of landlords who are rogue and untreated student housing maintenance problems. Instead of relying on your landlord for fixing problems , and sometimes having to wait for weeks to see the work completed, stay in your own private accommodations and inform the staff of any problems and staff on site will go working immediately!
What are the pros?
In some halls run by universities, residents aren’t given a choice regarding the room they’ll live in when they make their booking. In some cases, it’s the luck of the draw who they will be living with, and there’s no assurance that you’ll be living with your friends when you book in an ensemble. In recent times, private student halls permit students to pick their own rooms, which gives them some control over the people you’re likely to live with.
In areas where student housing is common can be equally noisy in the evening, level of noise in the private accommodation for students could be a problem in the event that you’re a light sleeper. Most of the time, this is because the building being closer to the campus, and therefore gaining quite a lot of foot traffic in the evening. Of course, the friendly on-site staff will always attempt to solve any issues that arise, so you’ll feel secure knowing that security personnel is watching the situation.
In certain housing options, you may experience a loss of the freedom you normally enjoy in private accommodation. Many students find that living in a housing unit is an experience of living on your own before the actual reality. On the other side, you could miss out on the valuable experience of dealing with bills along as a group of flatmates. However could you opt to lower your the rent, with all expenses paid?
