Early Booking Etiquettes For The Best Student Accommodation

It might not seem like a big deal, but indeed, booking etiquette is very important when it comes to your application or the entire process until selection. Early booking etiquette is crucial for a smooth application process, In this blog, we will discuss some of the booking etiquette that can make your application far smoother and quick! Looking for student housing that suits your every need and fulfils your requirements in terms of amenities and commute can be difficult. The longer you take to place an application, the tougher it gets to get the student accommodation of your choice. However, amber is here at your service! Amberstudent offers the best and most affordable student accommodation in proximity to all famous universities and the safest neighbourhoods. 

Why You Should Book Early For Your Student Accommodation

Early student accommodation booking is extremely important when it comes to moving away from your hometown to pursue education! It may interest you to know that according to the National Student Accommodation Survey 2023, 25% of students start looking for their accommodation almost six months prior to their academic year! There are reasons for us to stress the importance of the same. Some of them are: 

• You could get the best deals by booking early- prices can go up at the beginning of the academic year. Also, the city where you are searching for accommodation will matter! If it attracts several students like the city of London, New York, or Boston; then the only way to get the best student apartment is by early booking! 
• You can get your preferred room types simply by booking your student rooms early! Whether it is a private studio, shared apartment, en-suite, or non-en-suite, with the early booking of student apartments, you can browse through many room options and select your favourite! 
• The best locations are always up for grabs! Hence, early booking for student accommodation will help you pick the best student apartments in your preferred location, from the neighbourhood to the best view from the window. You can pick everything according to your choice! 

One thing that makes the experience of shifting your life to a new place comforting is finding the right and early accommodation. Your accommodation is a place where you can feel the most comfortable while you're away from your home! Follow our blog, Early Accommodation: Your Ultimate Guide, to find out more about the benefits of finding early accommodation choices and also a few insights on how early you can book your preferred stay options. 

How Can You Book Early For a Smooth Application Process

Being accepted to any university means there are two options for accommodation in front of you. These accommodation choices can be between on-campus and off-campus. One thing to consider is that both of these choices come with their benefits and drawbacks. You can learn about the pros and cons of living on campus vs off-campus accommodations in our blog On Campus vs Off-Campus Accommodation: Which Is Better? 

Step 1: Search For Student Accommodation Near Your University

You should start by having a clear understanding of what's available near your university. Even if you have not decided on any particular university yet, search for available student housing near your shortlisted universities. Also, consider going through the policies for on-campus accommodation and if the university's accommodation is on a 'first come, first serve' basis. Step 

Step 2: Think of Your Room Preferences 

Have a clear understanding of what kind of rooms you are looking for while doing your research for student apartments. You should also give some thought to what kind of accommodation is required for you. Some like to live by themselves and prefer private studios, while some can really look forwards to sharing an apartment. You might be feeling a complete change of scenery, so maybe you'd like to go to university halls. Or you might want to live somewhere that's a bit more in line with your current home. Do thorough research about the facilities that they are offering. You can search by applying filters like: 

• Room type – you can pick from several options like a private bathroom or a private studio/apartment, shared flats, suites, en-suites, and non-en-suites. 
• Accessibility – verify if you can access elevators, wheelchair access, cafeteria, swimming pool, roof, outdoor lounge, etc. 
• Room amenities – go through the room amenities that you can enjoy during your stay, such as wifi, desk, double bed, kitchen utilities, wardrobe, etc. 
• Bills – confirm if bills are included in your rent or not!
• Common amenities – your common amenities must cover security, car parking, laundry, outdoor area, communal study area, entertainment options, etc. 

Usually, the accommodations available are Private halls of residence, Shared houses/flats, Halls of residence and another interesting kind is PBSA! Read our blog Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) Amenities: What to Expect and How to Make the Most of Them will tell you everything about PBSAs. You can further read why PBSA Student Housing is the right choice for you so that any remaining dilemma inside you will be resolved! 

Step 3: Location 

Choosing the right neighbourhood that complements your personality can significantly affect your mental well-being. Some might prefer quiet surroundings to concentrate and work, while others crave a more vibrant and fancy atmosphere with lots of events, cafes and restaurants around! Early accommodation booking puts you ahead of your competition to grab the best neighbourhood as well! If your university city is more popular than others, then it is more likely that you will miss out on the best places to live if booking is delayed. Look for places near your university as it's easier to commute and saves a lot of time and energy as well. 

Step 4: Have A Glance At Your Student Apartment

Visiting university campuses and student accommodation is by far the best way to see where you could live – to really get a feel for what it's like. In-person visits are the best; however, if you are unable to make it, be sure to take a virtual tour. Only looking at images will not help you understand the real spaces it offers. Here's what you can do to look at your student housing

• Go to an open day and get a tour of the student accommodation options
• Arrange your visit and tour on a quieter or more convenient day
• Look at virtual tours to explore the university`s facilities and accommodations online

Step 5: Plan Your Budget 

Of course, when it comes to moving into a new city, budget is the most important. Planning how much it is going to cost you in particular student accommodation booking and then how much needs to be saved for personal expenses is the most critical stage of planning. Student rooms are available according to shapes, sizes and cost. Rent varies depending on where it is and what amenities are nearby or on-site. Some accommodations may include more bills than others, too, so it's worth thinking about what your budget might be and what you can afford. Here are some questions you might want to ponder! 

• What's your budget for your tuition fees and living costs?
• Are you getting a student loan; is it enough to spend on rent?
• Can you get any funding to increase your budget?
• Could you rent privately in student house shares for less money?
• Can you top up your budget by working part-time there?
• Will shared student housing be more financially beneficial? 
• Are there any hidden costs in terms of your accommodation?

The cost of living will vary according to the area where your accommodation will be located. You could go through these guides for more details on the cost of living in Glasgow, Oxford, Bristol, Liverpool, Birmingham, Manchester, Dublin, and London, given they are the most popular student destinations! 

Step 6: Student Accommodation Booking

After you have thoroughly researched and considered all factors and shortlisted your favourite student apartment, the next and final is booking! Simply go to the accommodation website and look for the availability of the type of rooms then. If your preferred student rooms are available, go ahead and book the apartment with the first instalment payment. 

What To Check Before Booking A Student Accommodation

Now that we know how exactly to go about the process of booking student accommodation, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind before making the final call! 

1. Go through the website

Be very thorough in browsing the website through which you are booking your student apartment. Look at the images for all room types and find the one that fits your needs. You'll also find answers to those all-important questions, like 'Will I have my own bathroom?' or 'How far is the walk to lectures?'

2. Consider Private Accommodation

While university accommodations come with secure and safe promises, private accommodations can give you a certain degree of freedom! Consider private accommodation as they are likely to take in students from different universities and backgrounds, which will help you with a rich and diverse social network. Or, if you are interested in exploring the spectrum of university-managed accommodation, head over to our blog, Different Types of University-Managed Accommodations, for a better understanding of the same. 

3. Read The Agreement 

Read? Or shall we say, learn it by heart! Go through the agreement very carefully; even the smallest print should not be skipped. That's exactly how you will be saved from trouble or fine and know if you're allowed to bring your pets, ask your friends to hang out in your apartment, or stick your Captain America poster to the wall! 

4. Check What's Included in the Bills 

Most halls will include water and electricity in your rent, but make sure you check. They might charge extra for things like faster internet, and you'll need to get insurance and a TV licence. Don't get stung by added extras. 

Lastly, we understand that shifting to a new place comes with a lot of emotions. It brings joy as much as anxiousness and uncertainty and can be very overwhelming. However, having a calm, peaceful place to call home in a new city is the best way to cope and adapt. If you are confused with many student housing options that are available today, you can weigh the pros and cons in our blog HMO vs PBSA and University Accommodation. Hope this blog helped provide insight as to why early booking will cater to smooth application and how you can proceed with student accommodation booking. You might want to be aware of Things to Look for When Choosing Student Accommodation for a wholesome understanding of the same