Try not to make these mistakes when you’re looking for student housing

The memories of Freshers’ are long gone, and the horrors of student accommodation are sinking in. No one’s taken the bins out for two weeks and you can’t afford to pay another eight quid for a clothes wash. Your dreams are being haunted by the constant drunken chanting outside your flat every night, and you’re seriously contemplating unwiring your fire alarm if it chooses to go off at 8am one more time.

You’ve decided: It’s time. You need to sign a house for next year, and fast.

So before you panic and sign for that house with one bathroom for all twelve of you, here’s a checklist of things you should probably avoid if you want to actually survive next year.

Don’t live seven post codes away from your university building

You’ll tell yourself you’ll have the energy to walk to uni everyday, but 12 months from now when you’ve missed your eighth consecutive Monday morning lecture, you’ll kick yourself. You won’t want to have to leave for your 9am at 8:15. So try and make sure it’s at least near a bus stop that’ll drop you off right outside.

If you leave for uni and it’s dark, you’ve probably made a mistake

Don’t live next to a club

Or even worse, an all-night take-away. Sure the area’s nice during the day and the house even has a garden, but at night it’s a whole different story. You’ll want to leave the drunken chants in first year. But, if it’s a last resort, at least become mates with the take-away owner; they’ll give you free leftovers.

Don’t choose an estate agent with two people working and is in the basement of a restaurant

It’s probably not a good idea. If you walk in and no one welcomes you with open arms, walk away. Choose a company that will actually respond to your emails, because there’s nothing worse than having to deal with a leaky roof and no working fridge for a week or two because of bad communication.

Avoid living with Jenny

You may think you can last another year with her even though she does have the worst cleaning skills possible and the habit of waking you up at 8am practicing her trumpet – but honestly, you can’t. Who you live with makes or breaks your year, so choose wisely, and go for people who have a sense of humour. There’s nothing better than living with people who accept that you want the star on your Christmas tree to be an upside down sex doll.

I can’t really explain this

Don’t pass up speaking to previous tenants

Speak to them. They’ll happily vent about the landlord to you if you pluck up the courage to ask, or – hopefully – tell you how wonderful the house is (and maybe even give you tips on the best room).

Avoid not having a washing machine

Or most other utilities really. A dishwasher is a luxury only parents can afford, so don’t set your expectations too high. But a washing machine, decent bathrooms and enough storage won’t go unnoticed. Look out for double beds too, you’ll thank yourself later.

Don’t leave it any longer

All the good houses are probably gone by now but keep looking, there will be a gem out there, so try to start looking while you can.