Renting in Luton

I know some friends who've been moving into private accommodation this last month. After being lucky enough to benefit from the halls of residence that the UoB offer, it's no small task to figure out the game of renting rooms, flats or houses. Having lived in Luton and rented over the last 4 years, I've had the good, the bad and the ugly, but yeah usually the ugly.

Firstly with going through a property agency or a private landlord, renting is NEVER going to be easy, and you will always get surprises and expenses thrown your way, but here are a few things to remember that will make it a little easier. 

Don't forget your deposit, which could be 1 month's rent or up to 1 and 1/2 month's rent. When renting your deposit is required by law to go into a rent deposit scheme which cannot be touched unless agreed upon by both parties. If going through a private landlord then they may not offer this, so it's up to you if you are comfortable with that setup, but the law is there to protect you should you encounter problems when leaving, differences of opinion on property damages, responsibilities, or general landlord's that sometimes don't communicate and take matters into their own hands. I have learned however that you will never get 100% back, so bear that in mind.

If going through a property agency, this usually incurs an extra charge. I'm still baffled as to why! Something about credit checks and administration, which can make up to £150 per person but some as low as £50 - just remember cheap isn't always a bargain, you'll often end up paying for it later. Some only ask for this initial charge once at the beginning of your tenancy, others charge it to renew or on an annual basis. 

When renting a room in a shared house, this will usually include all water, gas and electric bills, and sometimes an internet connection. Shared house renting has it's perks but also it's downsides and personally I hated it, but then if you're living with friends it could be fun (if you remain friends!). When renting studios, flats and houses, it's generally up to the occupying to pay for all utilities and even the installation charge of internet. Council Tax is free but you'll have to get the necessary paperwork from SiD down the the Town Hall to get it setup otherwise you'll get bills soon enough.

If I tell you anything, I will HIGHLY recommend getting a really, really good look at the whole property, in the cupboards, in the drainage, check all the plumbing works, and watch out for mould which can get out of control in the winter due to lack to ventilation and humidity. I once had a property that was pretty much built of marsh land so when the windows were closed it was like a rainforest inside! For health reasons you should always keep the air flowing but in the dead of winter this is a real issue as you don't want to pay for extra heat with open windows because that's what the landlord says will sort it! If you see something that you've decided should be sorted before moving in (like a new mattress, or a fixed window) have them do it BEFORE moving in. It's a great incentive for property owners as they know they will get a tenant once it's done, and is so frustrating to be waiting for something weeks into a tenancy, which so often happens.

Any questions, please leave a message below in the comments!

StEPs

UoB came up with something new last year: Student Experience Projects (StEPs). An opportunity for students to bid for funding from the university to put toward university student led projects. I went along to one this week as I was presenting an idea (I proudly came in the runnings, cheers!) and found it to be quite exciting and nervewrecking at the same time. I've NEVER volunteered to do a presentation, but somehow got intertwined in this one, which had its perks. As a professional in human services you have to develop some kind of presenting and people skills, so I was glad to be pushed out of my comfort zone, and although I fumbled and threw away my disorganised flash cards halfway through, I was glad to have done it and I know I will get better next time.

There were four other bidders, each with a unique suggestion, but I have to say that each one of us really needed to do our homework better. I realised that as students, I haven't met many that imagine they can step out and do something original in the way of projects and enterprises (unless already on a business degree). We get this idea that we are learning theory and academia to find our place in the employment world...but what if that is not for us? What if we have something bigger and better and new inside of us to develop? Scary no?

As I said we all needed to do more homework in preparation for the Dragon's Den type event last Tuesday, as such I would recommend the B-Innovate Programme (a european course run right here in our UoB) or Prince's Trust Enterprise Programmes. Any avenue to teach you about business plans, projected cash flows, budgeting and logistics. Perhaps in Applied Social Sciences or my own Child and Adolescent Studies, opening your own project is not what you had in mind, but we don't know what the future holds and at best it is good to look behind the scenes what occurs in welfare economics and national budgeting even in a small way.

Student Savers!

Yes - I will assume I know what you're thinking - that even with work and student finance helping (for those if us who are so lucky), there's always that period when you're just flat broke! So here are ten premptive tips to helping you squeeze that money just a little bit further (and if you're eco conscious like me add some brownie points to your conscience too).

1) Cook! The more you cook the better you will become - admittedly you will probably go through a long burnt, sad process before you get to that moment when you can just pick a few things out of your cupboard, go to the shop for a top up, and ta da! And when you do you'll produce something fabulous, edible and a whole lot cheaper than if you ate out or got a takeaway, and will prob end up saving a few pounds on your waist too while we're at it.

2) Shop around. Luton has a lot of Poundlands, 99p stores and just damn cheaper venues for your shopping needs. We've charity shops for the vintage lovers, and even your high street stores seem to always have a sales section. Admittedly I may spend twice as long shopping as the next person, but I know I have twice the money left in my pocket because of it.

3) Use your student card! You'll be surprised how many places don't advertise but have up to 20% off for lovely students like ourselves. Cinema tickets, lunches, high street stores, all add up in keeping you out of the red, and some places (yes, I will mention McDonald's choice of the 99p menu free) won't give you a discount but give you an extra freebie to make it worth the spend.

4) Turn it off. If you're bill aren't all inclusive of utilities, then make sure you're playing your part to turn off lights and heating when not using a room, or set the thermostat on a timer and a little lower and wear some snuggly socks instead. Don't overcharge your phone or electronics as it will cost you not just in bills but can damage battery life span also.

5) Car pool. If you commute to university then take advantage of Green Hub's own car pool connector online, take turns and save fuel, air pollution, and maybe even make a new friend.

6) Lotalty cards. Okay, maybe you shouldn't be as sad as me and have a whole wallet just for loyalty cards, but you'll be surprised how soon points add up. Pennies make pounds to spend in tesco's, subway give you points and additionally free cookies for your birthday, and Matalan gives you exclusive offers with their shop card. The university's own coffee bar on the mezzanine has a loyalty card giving you a free hot drink on your 8th purchase.

7) Save! Okay maybe a little ironic if you trying to keep yourself from the food bank. But putting £20 a month away, or even saving your bronzes or £2 coins. It's a little way to trick yourself into living carefully and then having some money when you really, really need it.

8) Sell and buy online. Amazon and eBay aren't the only places, there are local Facebook groups where you can sell your clothes, gadgets and what not, picking up a few bargains for yourself. Buying second hand doesn't mean wearing old, smelly clothes that are balling, most of the time it's clothes that have been worn one or twice if at all. Some even have the tags still on. And just because it's not edge of fashion doesn't mean you won't get some heads turned for your awesome fashion sense being liberated.

9) Don't be afraid of cheaper brands. Sometimes there really is no difference in the jumper from Primark or Next. Or the pasta from M&S or the Asda brand. But there is often a massive difference in price. Aldi is great for getting the same quality goods but in a less familiar packaging, check it out.

10) Give. All kinds of giving, money, time. Give to charity or a friend in need. You'll see there's always someone who needs something just that little bit more than you do. Give away your old clothes to a charity shop, your pennies to a busker, make a pledge once a month to a cause you believe in. Give one of your 11p noodle packets to the Food Bank trolley on your way out. Help out at a charity shop once a week. University isn't a pause on life, it's you becoming who you want to be. And I'm a genuine believer in karma and what you give away coming back to you.