Accommodation: Finding it
Finding accommodation is not always easy, and even when you have a place to call your own you could face problems unless you know something about your rights and responsibilities as a tenant. We’ve put together some information to get you started.
If you find you need more help, or if you just want to chat things through before you make a decision then please contact The Advice Centre.
The Advice Centre
John McIntyre Building
advice@src.gla.ac.uk
0141 339 8541
Where to look
Pad (private accommodation database)
A centralised database of private sector accommodation available for rent to students attending all five institutions in Glasgow. To access go to: http://www.accom.gla.ac.uk/pad/page1.htm
Noticeboards
The John McIntyre Building (home of the SRC) and both the unions have notice-boards filled with adverts for rooms in student flats.
Flatshare
The SRC’s electronic version of the noticeboards. Click here
The press
The Herald (Wednesday), Evening Times (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) and the Sunday Herald all carry adverts for lettings.
Letting agents
Renting through a reputable Letting Agent can sometimes save a lot of headaches – everything should be licensed and any problems are often dealt with efficiently. Expect to pay more, though. Don’t part with any cash until you’ve found somewhere you’re happy with.
Word of mouth
People are always looking for new flats and leaving old ones behind. If you hear someone talking about moving on, find out what’s happening with their old flat. You may find you can secure a flat before it’s even been advertised.
Internet
s1rental
gumtree
spareroom
citylets
glasgowwestend
pastures new
lettingweb
These websites are a good resource for flathunting, but remember that these are essentially adverts, so be wary if something looks too good to be true. When you are searching for accommodation online, look out for when the website was last updated to make sure you’re not viewing a property that’s no longer for rent, or worse, a scam. The usual basic rules apply; never give out your personal details online.
What area should I stay in?
There are a lot of different areas to live in around the University. When looking for a flat, think about how close to campus you need to be. Do you want to wake up next to your lecture theatre or would you mind living a bit further out? If it’s important for you to live near your main campus, then there are lots of accommodation options around, but there is more competition for these flats.
If you’d like some advice from a student perspective, it’s worth reading the section on page 72 of the SRC Guide (pdf, 20MB) as there are pros and cons with all of the different options surrounding the University.
Bear in mind that Glasgow is a city, so whichever area you decide to move to will have good and bad sides. It’s probably more useful to be looking out for a well-lit street that is near public transport, then one with a ‘good’ postcode.
Who should I move in with?
Living with your friends can be great fun, but they’re not always perfect flatmates. It’s important to remember that if you do sign a lease together, this is a binding contract.
There are a couple of things that you should think about when you are looking for potential flatmates, whether you’ve met them before or not.
- Will your potential flatmate be someone who is guaranteed to pay rent and bills on time?
- Does s/he have similar standards of cleanliness and tidiness in a flat as you do?
- Will s/he put up with your bad habits and can you put up with (or ignore) theirs?
If you can, try to get to know your new flatmates before you move in, to see if you can live with each other.
Things can go wrong, however. If you do decide you want to move out of your flat early, you will have to negotiate this with your landlord or you could end up being liable to repay the remaining months’ rent. Call into the Advice Centre if you’d like more help and advice on this issue.
Tips and Resources
Flathunting – Death Trap or Dead Good?
The SRC has produced an information leaflet to help you with the essentials of flathunting – pick a copy from the Advice Centre or read it online (pdf).
Download our checklist to take to viewings with you.
Your landlord should provide an inventory of what is provided in the flat and the condition of furniture, carpets etc. If your landlord doesn’t do this, then do your own inventory within a week of moving in, and get him/her to sign it.
Pastures New is a website with some realistic advice about student accommodation options.