Thousands of students dream of studying in one of the prestigious universities in the United Kingdom. With so many international students coming to the UK, the issue of finding the right student accommodation, adjusting to, and dealing with problems has seen a rise.
If you are an international student who is planning to move to Loughborough, UK for their education, then there are some things you must know about student accommodation in Loughborough. In this article, the top problems faced by students in accommodation are shared. Don’t worry, they come with solutions too!
Loughborough is an amazing town in England and home to the University of Loughborough. Being one of the most affordable places in the United Kingdom, the town attracts students from all over the world for education. From infrastructure to quality of education, everything in Loughborough is worth experiencing.
Dealing with Student Accommodation Problems
- Searching: Looking for student accommodation from thousands of miles away can be difficult, especially when you have never been to the city. Many students decide to book accommodation the day they reach their destination, but that only leads to high prices, far-away places, and disappointment. Therefore, the best way to search for student accommodation is by trusting authentic providers. There are many student accommodation providers that offer verified properties near the universities, such as University Living, UniAcco, Amberstudent, and more.
- Affordability: Many students find it difficult to afford student accommodation due to high rents, utility bills, and the never-ending living expenses in a new city. Students on a tight budget especially face this problem. However, there are several ways to tackle these challenges that come with affordability. The first step is to opt for inexpensive housing options, such as shared rooms or apartments. Next, look for scholarships that can cover your tuition fee living expenses, or both. Students can also get themselves some part-time jobs to support their finances.
- Availability: Many students often look for accommodation when it is too late. Because of this, the best options often are sold out, and the ones that are left are too expensive. So, to avoid this problem happening, make sure you book your accommodation way in advance, preferably as soon as you receive your offer letter. Also, check for offers or try to negotiate with the providers. Lastly, do check a few neighbourhoods and areas near your university to get a clear idea about the price range.
- Quality & Maintenance: Make sure you take a virtual tour or check reviews of the property before you go forward with the booking. Sometimes students are often scammed and given properties that are not well-maintained and have low quality. These can lead to a negative impact on your well-being and student experience. Apart from checking for reviews, make sure you check the quality of the accommodation before you sign the contract. And if there is any damage, make sure you get it repaired before you move into the property. Lastly, always communicate with the landlords in case of any damage or maintenance issue, instead of waiting for the ‘right time’.
- Safety & Security: Leaving your comfort zone of so many years and suddenly moving to a completely new city and home can be overwhelming. The fear of whether you’re safe, if there’s enough security, if there is help available, what can you do in emergency situations and so many other questions come to every student and their parent’s mind. Fear of theft, harassment, and other crimes are also common. Therefore, it is essential to do proper research about the area or neighbourhood in which the property is and check what precautions the property is taking for the safety and security of students. And most importantly, keep your friends and family updated about your whereabouts.
- Location: Not booking student accommodation in time can lead to many other problems, such as having your accommodation far from the university, among others. This can be inconvenient and lead to many problems, such as missing lectures or paying major amounts for travel. To avoid this happening, always book accommodation that is in proximity to your university or has a close public transport link. Also, check whether the location has supermarkets, grocery stores, medical and other such amenities nearby or not, since you will need them time by time. In short, staying in the right location is crucial for students when considering student accommodation.
- Contracts: Many students sometimes sign their contracts without reading what they say. This leads to many problems in the future, such as unfair demands for money, extra prices, termination, and more. Therefore, make sure you read the contract before you sign it. Also, never trust any verbal contracts, and always ask for written ones. Lastly, if you ever feel that any point in the contract is confusing or unfair, make sure you talk it out with the landlord before agreeing to any such point. If at any point you feel stuck, seek advice from your parents, student unions or the agency you booked accommodation from.
- Roommate Issues: Moving abroad comes with a lot of adjustments, one of them being friendly with the roommates. Just because you are a stranger, it does not mean it has to be uncomfortable. Sometimes, the values, beliefs and lifestyle of the roommate won’t match with you, but that necessarily doesn’t mean it should lead to a fight. To avoid these conflicts with roommates, always communicate clearly about your ways of living, set some personal boundaries as per your choice, and respect one another even if your views don’t match each other’s. If needed, you may also get help from a third party for mediation between you and your roommate.
- Noisy Neighbours: When you live in shared rooms or apartments, having noisy neighbours can be an issue. Every student has their own way of living, some may like loud music, and some may like pin-drop silence. To solve problems like these, always have a clear discussion on boundaries, expectations, noise levels, study times and ways of living together. It is essential to meet in the middle to ensure healthy bonds and friendships between roommates and neighbours. Also, with the high rise in technology, noise-cancelling earphones and headphones are an excellent way to not get bothered by the noise.
- Utilities: Many student accommodations offer utilities, such as Wi-Fi, Gas, Heating, Electricity, and more. While some have these utilities inclusive of the bills, some may charge you extra. Firstly, check with the contractor if these utilities are inclusive or not. If there are, check if there are any set limits or speed issues with Wi-Fi. Many students face slow internet connections, unclear utility responsibilities and unreliable connections. To avoid this happening, make sure all the details about the utilities are written in the contract. If you still face these problems, research well about the internet and mobile plans in the city, and make sure you have documented all the issues that you have expressed regarding utilities to your landlord.
Conclusion
Many students who choose to study abroad think that finding student accommodation is the hardest job. However, they are wrong. There are various problems and challenges that students can face when they move to their student accommodation in Loughborough, United Kingdom. Therefore, read the above-mentioned points carefully to be prepared to deal with them.
