Top 10 Things to Know Before Renting a House

Top 10 Things to Know Before Renting a House

Finding a place to live can be one of the biggest struggles for international students. You might end up choosing a house that drains all your savings, renting one that constantly breaks down, or getting into trouble with a contract you didn’t read carefully before signing.
To avoid these situations, here are 10 important tips from The Independent you should keep in mind

1. Don’t Choose Too Early

Many students rush into renting during their first few weeks at university, especially when they haven’t found a suitable place yet. However, even if “everyone says you should take that house”, don’t sign anything if you still have doubts.

If the landlord urges you to pay a deposit right away because “five other people are also interested in this place”, chances are — there aren’t any, and they’re just saying that to pressure you.
In short, don’t feel rushed into signing a contract when something about the property still doesn’t feel right.

2. Don’t Wait Too Long

While you shouldn’t rush, don’t wait until the next semester starts without finding a place either. Once you’ve had enough time to get a clear picture of the rental market, that’s when you should make your decision.

3. Don’t Fall for the “Prettiest” House

Most students get dazzled by houses with a velvet sofa, shiny wooden floors, or a sleek flat-screen TV — but try to think beyond appearances.

The author of this article once rented a stylish-looking place during their second year at university. It had a black velvet sofa (not big enough for everyone in the house), glossy black kitchen cabinets (that couldn’t fit everyone’s groceries), and a massive double bed (that left barely any space for a proper study area).

So, think about what you actually need from your home — maybe just a comfortable chair, some storage space, a large fridge, a proper desk, and, ideally, more than one bathroom.
Learn to see past the fancy looks and focus on what’s truly practical.

4. Don’t Go for the Cheapest Option

Just like with the previous point — don’t choose a house just because it’s the cheapest one you can find.
If a place costs only £50 a week including utilities, there’s probably a reason for that. It could be in an unsafe neighborhood, or maybe there’s something seriously wrong with the property itself.
Whenever you come across a deal that looks too good to be true, ask yourself whether it’s actually convenient and suitable for your needs.

5. Choose Your Housemates Carefully

That best friend you bonded with in your first semester could easily become your worst enemy by the third!
Don’t move in with someone simply because they were the first person you met at university.

All you really need is someone clean, friendly, and considerate.
Avoid living with people who can’t survive a night without going out partying — because sharing a house with someone who screams at 4 a.m. while you’re trying to study for exams can be a nightmare!

6. Talk to Previous Tenants

Check online forums or Facebook groups to find out who the landlord and letting agency are, and ask around to see who used to live there before you.
You can even ask the landlord directly about the previous tenants. Once you know who they are, do a bit of digging to see whether they had any issues with the property — and if they did, you might want to stay far away!

7. Get to Know the Neighborhood

Visit the neighborhood both during the day and at night.
A street that feels perfectly safe at 3 p.m. might look completely different — and even dangerous — at 2 a.m. when you’re coming home from a party.

Also, consider how far the house is from supermarkets, essential services, and especially your university.
Find out how long it takes to get to class and how much transportation will cost you.

8. Read the Contract Carefully

Once you’ve decided to rent a place, read the contract carefully — then read it again.
Pay attention to even the smallest details, ask as many questions as needed, and make sure your parents, guardian, or a university housing advisor reviews it too.
You don’t want to be caught off guard by an unfair clause at the end of the school year when it’s time to move out.

9. Keep All Written Proof

After moving in, keep every written record of your communication with the landlord — emails, texts, anything in writing.
If they promise to do something (like fix an appliance), ask them to confirm it by email so you have evidence later if needed.

10. Remember — the University and Local Council Are Your Friends!

If you ever face any problems, don’t hesitate to reach out to your university or local council for help.
Most universities have a dedicated student housing advice team that can guide you through legal and practical issues.
Similarly, your local council can also step in to provide support if things go wrong.