Move smart:

Your Questions Answered

Worried about where you might live next year? We’ve got your burning questions answered by current and recent students.

We’re a house of 6, but struggling to find anything – has all the accommodation gone?

It can be more challenging to find houses with more than 4 people.

Areas like Richmond Road, Victoria (Vic) Street, Pennsylvania Road have some bigger houses. If you really can’t find a 6, maybe split the house into 2? I know lots of people who did this, and then found houses close to each other as a compromise.

There are fewer larger properties, more often there will be 2,3,4 bed properties.

What is better, bills included or excluded?

That depends on the group moving in. Sometimes having bills included is a good deal, sometimes it’s not. It can save hassle with organising bills and providers for certain utilities. A big plus is that no singular person is responsible for bills, nobody chasing for money so leaves out awkward conversations. It can then create a better house dynamic.

If you’re an organised house you can get your own bills and build up your credit score. Make sure everyone is included, so that no one person is at risk if people don’t pay. One person doesn’t want to be responsible for the whole house’s bills.

Where are the best places to live in Exeter?

That depends on who you are, what you are looking for, and what is available.

Things to think about:

Proximity to campus, and proximity to town – what would you prefer? Will you be on campus a lot, or would you prefer to be closer to town?

How many students’ houses are around you?

Although you can live in heavily populated student areas, these can be noisier with house parties, and noise when people are coming back from nights out.

I’ve not got people to live with, am I the only one in this situation?

It’s normal to have those feelings, and you are not alone.

Lots of people are looking for people to help them fill a house they might have – always meet in a public place first to see how you get on.

PBSAs – you can live with others, who you can get to know whilst you are living there, similar to halls.

What happens if you fall out with your housemates when you are living with them?

People rush into moving in with people they don’t know particularly well.

You are all adults, small things like washing up and mess can be annoying but be mature about them.

You can find other people to live with, but you will always make friends outside of your house. As long as you can find ways to get along that is ok.

We see students using WhatsApp group to talk about house things and sometimes that can’t work, tone is misread etc. Set expectations and talk to people at the beginning so you are moving in with people with similar values.

Work out what kind of flatmate you are, and what your friends are like too! Will you get on, or fall out over the washing up?

House for next year is really nice, but a bit over budget and I’m worried about this.

If you’ve already signed up, and you’re looking to earn some extra money, there are lots of opportunities for part time work at the University and across Exeter. Look on Handshake for the latest job opportunities.

If you haven’t yet signed that house, have an honest conversation about budget. It can feel awkward, but everyone has to pay the bills one way or another. It might be that other people are also having the same concerns.

If there is a room which is smaller/less desirable, could someone who doesn’t want to pay as much take that room and pay a bit less rent?

Maintenance loans now often aren’t enough to cover all living costs, including rents. Especially now not everyone has family who are able to help out financially with so many other prices rising.

Success for all Fund could help if you are struggling with your finances.

I’ve heard all student accommodation is mouldy and full of rats, is this true?

Ask current tenants at a viewing or email them and ask if there are any issues you should be aware of.

Community Team, Advice can also offer help and support if you have issues, and you can’t get your landlord to respond.

Contact the Environmental Health team at the Council – they can come and look at any issues and see if there are things which tenants can do to improve the situation e.g. letting more air into a room, but if there is a problem with the property, the landlord will be given a notice to make improvements.

My parents are not happy being a guarantor, they think they will be liable for the whole house. How can I reassure them?

A guarantor is UK-based and will pay for a student if they do not pay the rent owed. Most private houses have joint tenancies, so everyone is liable for the rent and the damage. However, a guarantor agreement can be worded so that the guarantor is just for the individual’s rent, so request this if possible.

Our top tip for viewing properties:

Check everything you can think of, make a checklist beforehand and see exactly what is going on with the property. As you move in, take photos of the condition of the property.

If you’re looking for a house where bills aren’t included, ask current tenants how much the bills are to get an idea of costs.

Get someone to come with you, preferably someone who has lived off campus as they might be able to help ask the right questions.

If there are lots of people living in a house – get everyone to look around the house.

PBSA will often have virtual viewings, but in person is best if you can.

Move smart:

Your Questions Answered

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