Tips for a smooth transition to private housing

The transition from living in student accommodation to private housing (whether that be a shared house or apartment) can feel overwhelming😫 – especially when it comes to managing finances.

As someone who has experienced this transition, I am happy to report that it is not as scary as it seems🤗!

By the end of this article, I hope that you will feel more positive about making this transition.

One of the biggest decisions you will have to make when considering private housing is choosing your housemates. I think it’s wise that you live with people who are willing to cooperate and fulfil the financial obligations that come with living in private housing💷. If you have doubts about someone’s ability to meet these obligations, it might be wise to reconsider living with them😬.

If you are looking for a flatmate for next year, why don't you come along to our Find a Flatmate event on Thursday 13 March.

In private housing, it's common for students to take on responsibility for paying the utility bills, such as gas and water. While some fortunate students may find utilities included in their rent, others will need to budget for these.

Here are two tips to help you effectively keep on top of your bills:

1. Nominating one or two people to pay the bills☝

 When I lived in private housing, I was nominated to pay the bills. This meant that each month, after receiving the bills from our utility providers, I would calculate each person’s share, set a deadline for each person to send their share, and once I received everyone’s share, I would pay the bills. This also included sending our rent to our landlord.

Although it seems like a lot of work, once you get into a routine, it becomes much easier.

2. Use reminders to stay organised with payments⏰📅

You can set up reminders on your phone or use a physical calendar that everyone can see in your shared space. This way, everyone is informed and accountable.

One of the things I enjoyed about living in student halls was the predictability of expenses: my rent, which included utilities, was consistent. When you live in private housing, this may not be the case, as you may encounter unexpected costs such as an increase in utility bills.

I would recommend setting money aside to prepare for circumstances like this!

My last advice for managing finances when living in private housing is to look for ways you can save money.

This can be through different ways such as:

• Buying groceries collectively rather than individually
• Downloading sustainable Apps such as Too Good To Go and Olio, which allows you to save money on items and reduce waste!♻
• Cooking more at home rather than dining out or getting take outs.👨‍🍳🍽

Want to find out more about living in private housing? 

The Housing Services team have organised a Housing Fair to answer questions you may have private housing. You can find out more about the event here.