Guide to finding a proper Student Accommodation Belfast

From dorms to rental apartments, students have seen a lot in recent years when it comes to student housing. Here are the best tips for student housing in Belfast.

Moving from student housing to student apartments is an exciting experience for many. It offers a new level of freedom and responsibility, as well as greater independence and a lower cost of living. You gain experience managing a home, have your own space, and can set your own rules.

If renting a student apartment has piqued your interest, read on to learn more.

Below are some things students should consider when searching for and selecting student housing:

Search Early

The rental market for Student Accommodation Belfast can be very competitive. Houses and apartments for the next academic year can be available for bid as early as January, with move-in dates between June and September. Once you know who you will be living with, you should start looking for potential candidates for houses or apartments. There are many websites you can use to search for student housing. There's even a dedicated app you can download so you can keep track of new listings on the go.

Location

The most popular neighborhoods in Belfast for students are the BT7 and BT9 zip code areas. In particular, Botanic, Holylands, Stranmillis, and Lisburn Road are popular in the student community. The different areas have advantages and disadvantages, such as proximity to campus, noise levels, etc.

Viewing

Once you find an apartment you like, call the broker as soon as possible to schedule a showing. Brokers are often inundated with viewing requests, and homes often go to the first prospective tenants when they are eligible to be tenants. When viewing the home, look for signs that the home may not be suitable for you, such as signs of mold, dampness, or rodents.

You should also check the home's heating system, as it can get cold in Belfast during the winter. It may sound silly, but make sure the boiler has a thermostat and/or timer. You'll regret it in the winter if you can’t program it to turn on before you get up!

Top tips for moving in

Although you may find it hard to contain your excitement about moving into your own apartment, take photos of the condition of the apartment when you first move in. Walk through the rooms and take videos or photos of all the rooms, focusing on any flaws. This will save your back and help you keep your security deposit when you move out of the apartment.

Bills

In almost all student housing cases, utility bills (including broadband) are not included in the monthly rent or provided to you by your landlord. No need to worry - it's easy to pay for electricity, gas/oil, and wifi.

In most houses, there are billing meters for gas and electricity. Your home has recharge cards for these that you can take to a pay station (such as Centra). You then load the card and enter a code into a keypad or insert the card into the meter in your home to load credit onto the system.