Research the location of the house
Before you look for a property, you need to research the zoning of your place (i.e. the first part of the postcode), the location, traffic, people and safety of each district, and then pick out a few districts that are ideal for you to concentrate on for your property search.
Find properties online or through agents
There are two broad types of property listings: those advertised for rent on the internet, and those where you can find a property on behalf of a housing agent. Most students prefer to look at online advertisements to save money on agency fees, so it is advisable to choose a well known website and do more research before deciding. If you don’t have any experience of renting or are worried about being scammed, it is wise to find a reputable agent to handle the search for you.
Contact them to arrange a time to see the property
It is difficult to know the actual condition of a property without going to see it on site, after all photos cannot reflect all the details of a property. The first thing to look for when choosing a Leeds student accommodation is whether it is fully equipped, clean and available, and whether there are any safety hazards. If you choose to share a room, you should find out more about the details and character of the person you are sharing the room with in order to avoid disputes. If you are sharing a room, you must reach an agreement with your co-renter to avoid your roommate bringing home unknown people. Do not give keys to other people and avoid complicated access.
Pay the first rent and ask for an invoice
Always remember to ask for an invoice or receipt when you have paid your landlord in full. Generally speaking, the first month’s money includes: agent’s fee + deposit (usually based on six weeks’ rent) + first month’s rent. At this point, all rights other than the ownership of the student accommodation Leeds revert to the tenant, even if the tenancy has not yet started. Make sure that the invoice or receipt states the amount paid, the date, your name, the name of the other party and what is being paid (deposit, rent, agent’s fee). In practice, of course, most landlords prefer to pay in cash, but it is better not to pay in cash but by bank draft, cheque or bank transfer, which are all relatively safe methods of payment.”