Go Higher: Counting the cost of a room
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.PAYING FOR the roof over your head will be your biggest outlay.
When choosing your university or college remember that the cost and availability of accommodation is a major consideration.
If you choose London you need to budget for spending more on your student digs as well as possible transport costs to get you around town.
The cost of living is lower outside London. A recent survey showed rents near Kings College, London, were pounds 55-per-week while students at the University of Teeside could get digs for pounds 26.50-per-week.
Check the details when you get the university prospectuses and also have a good look around if you visit the campus for an interview.
If there are different blocks of accommodation on campus ask other students for advice on which are considered best. Some might be in better condition or in a better location than others.
Most students suggest trying to live on campus in the first year as it means you can't help but make friends with your neighbours, and saves you the hassle of finding a home as soon as you reach the university.
A study by the National Union of Students in 1997 found that the average cost of university or college accommodation was pounds 48.37 per week, with private accommodation being slightly cheaper at pounds 40.12.
The study also revealed that a student living in institutional accommodation in receipt of a student loan will, on average, spend 63 per cent of his/her income on rent.
If you don't get a room on campus and need to rent digs in town then the Law Society says it is important to enter into a proper legal tenancy.
The tenancy agreement is there to protect both the tenant and the landlord, laying down the rules that both must observe during the tenancy.
Make sure the agreement is in writing as it will be much harder to prove your basic rights as a tenant without it, if things get nasty.
Also ensure that the agreement covers all the basics, such as:
Your rent, some landlords charge rent "inclusive" of the cost of gas and electricity (but not the phone bill). Check what is covered and what is not. Also agree how and when the rent should be paid.
Does your landlord want a deposit and is it refundable? Where is it going to be kept while you are a tenant. Remember most landlords ask for rent a month in advance and for a month's rent as a deposit. This means you have to find two months' rent - often more than pounds 500 before you get over the doorstep.
Get a receipt for any money paid to the landlord, a rent book from the local stationery shop might prove a good investment.
Try to ensure that the bills are in joint names and are a shared responsibility. You don't want to end up with a phone bill in your name for all your flatmates' calls.
Your rent will be the largest chunk of money coming out of your budget, so never sign up for a property outside your means.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments