1. Take pictures of damage
When you moved into your new student house, you may have received an inventory that itemised all that comes with the property and any prior damages. You should ensure that this is accurate. If there is any unrecorded damage to the house, furniture and appliances, take pictures and let your landlord know. This ensures that breakages or missing items prior to your arrival cannot be blamed on you and will not impact your deposit.
2. Set up your internet
If the internet is not included in your contract, setting it up can take time. Sometimes you have to wait around a week to receive your WiFi box in the post.
First, you should make sure that you have the best deal. Some companies offer 12 month student contracts which are perfect if your tenancy ends next July. However, most companies offer 18-24 months. If you are moving out sooner than this, you can choose a 18-24 month contract that offers a free cancellation policy.
To find the cheapest internet, type in your postcode on ‘Compare the Market’ and browse different providers. Read their blog post to see how to find the best student internet deals.
3. Set up bills
If your bills are not included in your rent, you will have to set up bills for your gas and electricity.
Some students choose to pay a third party bill splitting company to sort their bills for them. However, this is often much more expensive than doing it yourself. It is easier than you think to sort out your bills.
Because of high energy costs and some providers not accepting new customers, Save the Student advises that it may be cheaper to stick with the companies that currently supply your house. If you want to know who currently supplies your property, you can find your gas supplier here and your electricity supplier here by simply entering your postcode.
However, it doesn’t hurt to check that you’re getting the best deal. To find the cheapest energy bills, use comparison websites such as Compare the Market or Money Super Market.
When you have found the right company for you, sign up and they will sort out the rest.
4. Change your permanent address
It is frustrating when you accidentally send your online shopping to your old address. Make sure you change your address on your most used shopping apps. If you use royal mail a lot, you can use this tool to redirect all royal mail packages to your new student house.
More importantly, if you use student addresses on official documents, such as bank statements, remember to update these!
5. Make sure you have a Tenancy Deposit Scheme
All landlords by law must protect your deposit with a government-approved scheme within 30 days of you paying it. Your landlord should tell you which scheme it has been placed in. This protects your deposit and ensures that you are returned what you are owed at the end of the tenancy. If, at the end of your tenancy, you are being charged for something that you feel is unfair, you can challenge this through the Tenancy Deposit Scheme . Remember that wear and tear cannot be taken out of your deposit.
