Have you been selected in a prestigious Australian university? Well, congratulations! You are about to embark on a journey that every academic dreams of. Australia is one of the best places to be at for your higher education. Every year, over 500,000 applicants aspire to be a part of the Australian educational ecosystem.
While securing a place in one of the most sought-after universities can be daunting, it is only half the work done. You would need to sort out other details as well. Most importantly, you need to pick the place you’d (hopefully) be staying at for the duration of your college. You could find homely and reasonable student accommodation online too, on websites such as Iglu.
However, before you sign the papers of any rental, here are a few pointers you should tick on the list:
1) Does it fit my budget?
Needless to say, the first filter you are going to set on your search is the financial range of the property. When you finally make the move to a new place, there are going to be some unprecedented costs. No matter how well you plan your finances, be ready to have your budget violated. On top of that, even when you finalize a reasonably priced rental, there may be extra costs attached to it: electricity bills, maintenance, etc. So, we would recommend you enquire about all the hidden charges too before you close the deal.
2) Is the locality safe?
This should ideally be the first thing you look out for, especially if you are going to be far from home. It is a well-populated neighborhood? Or is it suspiciously isolated? How long would it take to reach the nearest hospital or a police station in case of an emergency? Also, you should ask around and you would get to know the reputation the neighborhood has.
3) How far is the place from your college?
A place in the party street may be a lot more happening, but let’s not get carried away here! Primarily, you need accommodation that’s within 5-10 minutes of walking reach from your university/college. Those options may also be expensive and they get sold out pretty quick.
4) How well-connected is the place?
The next best thing, in case you aren’t able to book a spot right next to your university/college, would be a locality very well-connected via all means of transport. A metro line, bus stop, taxi stand are the landmarks you are looking for. Easy access to public commute could help you bridge the distance between your educational institution and your place in cheap.
5) What else could the property offer?
Access to clean drinking water, a pantry, a reliable security system, and a 24*7 available internet connection have all become indispensable in today’s world. Ensure that the property offers these amenities, without any extra costs. Nowadays, student accommodations also come with a decent indoor pool, gym area, a recreational hall, and other lucrative add-ons. The more you get, the happier you’ll be. However, do not settle for anything that compromises on the basics.
Along with this, do run a background check on the landlord. After all, he would be your guardian figure, responsible for your ease of living, while you are far from the protective cover of your family. It is best to leave the contact details of the place and the landlord with your parents. You could also contact the people who have previously stayed there. Always good to know what you are getting into!
Wishing you good luck with your house hunt, students!