Picks & Mortar: choosing your student digs

**It’s that time of year again: Week 7 is upon us, the nights are drawing in and we’re counting down the weeks until Christmas.** This also coincides with an irrational event specific to Warwick – the mad dash for accommodation. Before you jump into a contract with numerous other mates you’ve known for just over half a term, take heed of the Money section’s top tips to find your prized home.

**First, where are you going to live?** Leamington, with its 8,000 strong student community is the favourite, although it does carry a slight premium. Various options closer to campus in Coventry, notably Canley and Earlsdon, or Kenilworth are indeed cheaper, more convenient and avoid the packed bus journeys at rush hour.

**How many people are you going to live with?** Smaller and larger groups have their pros and cons. A larger group can mean fixed utilities bills such as internet and TV licenses being a few quid a month per person; however heating and electricity bills often end up much lower in contained properties for two than Georgian three-storey terraced antiquities for eight.

**How much are you willing to pay?** Typically anything for lower than £70 a week is a steal, with rates over £85 requiring serious luxuries to warrant the price tag. A figure between the two is a good guide price. Contracts are by and large 11 months, so during term holidays unfortunately your rent is mere deadweight. Would an August-June tenancy suit you better than the conventional September-July? Query this before you put pen to paper.

**Which estate agent to go with?** While private agents may have a wider selection of properties, a deposit and an agency fee (at least £50 and non-refundable) will be demanded by the vast majority. Alternatively, Warwick Accommodation asks for neither a deposit nor an agency fee, and provides insurance cover of £4,000 per person. These guys are safely the best bet in terms of estate agents, if their selection takes your fancy that is.

**Decide early on who gets which room.** Many houses vary in room size; some more akin to broom-cupboards and others like presidential suites replete with fireplace and posh sink. Work out a fair way to decide who gets what. This may mean redistributing cash to the worse off. The last thing you want is to start the year off on the wrong foot.

**All in all, take your time.** The student housing stock has coped year after year with the breakneck sudden flurry of demand for property. As Students’ Union President Nick Swain reassures, a relaxed approach is best, ‘‘It’s better to make a decision you’re happy with, rather than jumping for the first house you see. It’s essential to live with the right people.’’

If you follow this advice, you can’t go wrong. Happy house hunting!