Before choosing any student flat, it is important to make sure you are making a good decision. Bear in mind that you will be living there for at least one university year, which is how long contracts usually last, and it will not be good to spend all that time in discomfort.
We’ll help you figure out which aspects you can’t overlook. It may all seem acceptable at first glance, but you’ll have to look at the details. Here are some of the reasons to rule out a student flat:
1. It is not adequately furnished
Good furniture will make your stay comfortable. Check that the bed is a good size, that it is clean and that the mattress is in good condition. This is essential, as your rest depends on the bed.
If you don’t sleep well, you won’t be able to replenish your energy and in the medium term, you may have concentration problems that will affect your academic performance.
It is also important that you have a study space equipped with a desk and ergonomic chair. As a student, you will need to work on your laptop, read, do homework, and so it is essential that you have a place to do this comfortably.
We also recommend that you assess the condition of the dining room and living room furniture. Although they are part of the shared spaces, if you do not feel comfortable with the size or quality of the furniture in these areas, consider it a good reason to discard that student flat.
2. Lack of storage space
Keep in mind that when you move here, you will bring clothes and many personal items, some for their significance and some for their usefulness. Also, over time, you will have books, notebooks and university materials, so you will need space to store everything.
If the student flat you’re visiting doesn’t offer enough storage space, it’s best to keep looking. It will be very uncomfortable to live with your belongings out of place or with a cramped wardrobe because your clothes don’t fit.
3. Does not offer good internet connection
Every university student needs access to a good WiFi connection. This is non-negotiable. When you start your studies, you will need to do research, write essays, send emails, communicate with classmates, watch educational videos and more. For all of these tasks, you’ll need a good WiFi signal.
Before you move in, make sure that you will be able to connect to fast internet without difficulty. Also, that all your flatmates will be able to connect their devices without affecting network performance.
4. Does not include canteen services
If the flat is in a student residence, ask if they have canteen services. Part of the experience of living in these buildings is having certain amenities that will make your life easier, and one of them is food.
At LIV Student, we offer half-board and full-board meal plans for all residents. If you plan to move into a student residence, but are forced to cook every day or spend more money buying food outside, it is not worth it.
5. Insufficient space for all occupants
When you move into a student flat, keep in mind that you will be sharing space with others. Especially in common areas such as the living room, kitchen and dining room.
Ideally, everyone should be able to share the common areas without feeling cramped or cramped in space. In the living room, everyone should be able to fit on the sofa without any problems. Especially for those days when you want to watch a movie with your roomies or share any leisure time.
Similarly, the dining room should have enough chairs for everyone to sit down at mealtimes. If anyone is left out, it is a signal to discard that floor.
In general, one trick to choosing a good student flat is to imagine what your days in the flat will be like. From where you would put your things to what your daily routine would be like. Take a walk around the flat looking at the details and we are sure you will make the right choice.
