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15 Tips for Students who are looking to find a Uni House
Cooksleys 82 South Street Exeter Devon EX1 1EQ Telephone: 01392 202220 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Check out your monthly rent budget and make sure all your future housemates agree on one. Understand that your other housemates might not have the same access to funds as you do every month. So, you need to agree on a price together which you can all realistically afford.
- Choose your housemates wisely. Even if they are your best friends, it is difficult living in such close proximity to others. It can be the best thing, but also the worst if you fall out. Make sure you are comfortable with those you choose, and remember a lot can change between the time you agree to move into a house and the day you move in.
- Get out and have a look at some houses. The only way you are going to find somewhere to live next year is by going out and looking. That means not putting it off until a few weeks before! Try and book several viewings in one day so that you can compare houses easily and so that more likely to find one.
- Think about location of your house. How far is the house from uni? Is it walkable? Is the walk uphill? Will you have to walk up it with two full bags of shopping? How far is it from the centre of town? Will you be able to walk to and from evenings out? The answers to these questions may determine how enjoyable your uni experience will be, so make sure you think about the house’s location before you sign a contract.
- Avoid places with damp and dirt. Nobody wants to live in a house like a squat. So, make sure when you look around you watch out for areas of mould and dirt. As well as this being unpleasant, it may determine whether you get your deposit back when you move out. If they can blame you for it getting worse or for not ventilating the room properly, they may keep your deposit.
- Make sure the water, heating and electricity is all working fine. When you are looking around ask the agent, that’s what they are there for. Also, make sure you turn on all the lights, flush the toilets and turn on the showers. This can stop you getting caught out after you move in.
- Are bills included in your monthly rent? What other payments will you have to make? If you can get a house that only requires one payment a month instead of 5, you are less likely to be stressed and will be able to keep a better track of your money. The agency will only charge you a set amount for each monthly use of electricity, water and heating. The means you won’t have any surprises from excessive bills which you won’t be able to pay.
- What appliances and furnishings will be included? Ask the agent what furnishings and appliances are included with your tenancy. Make sure you have a desk and chair to sit and do your work, a wardrobe to hang your clothes in, and sufficient kitchen appliances to cook food with.
- Talk to the current tenants about their experience. If the tenants are in the house while you are looking around, make sure you have a chance to talk to them about their experience of living in the house. The agency might not be completely truthful with what they tell you. You will get a much more realistic picture from the current residents.
- Are the neighbours nice? Are you going to be disturbing them with noise? Are you the type to be partying until the early hours of the morning? If so, you are better off living in a more student heavy area of town, rather than next door to a young family. This will stop any tension and issues between you and your neighbours.
- Could you imagine yourself living there? Think about what it would look like with all of your things in it. Can you picture your stuff in the house? In your room? If not, it’s probably not the right house for you.
- Don’t just choose the first house you look at. You have plenty of time to look. Whether you look at one or twenty, you will find the right house for you. Don’t just rush into signing a contract for a house that isn’t right just because you are desperate to find somewhere to live.
- Choose a house that is with a good agency. Are they easy to get in contact with? Are they reliable? What experiences have others had with them? If you need help or have an issue, you need to be able to get hold of the letting agents. If they aren’t helpful, you are likely to have a stressful experience.
- Read the contract and other information thoroughly, maybe even ask an adult to look through it. Make sure you are aware of the terms and conditions that you have to abide by. You don’t want to have an issue with breaking the contract if you haven’t read the contract.
- Make sure you have a reliable guarantor. When taking on a tenancy, you are required to have a guarantor – someone to pick up the bill if you are unable to pay for whatever reason. If you are unable to give the details of a family member or close friend
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Carrying out regular 3 monthly inspections is one of the most effective ways for landlords can protect their investment while keeping tenants happy.
Also being carried out at 3 monthly intervals ensure that the property is checked if only a 6 month tenancy mid way through once the first month move in has been undertaken
and to check you have settled in ok and any in house questions you may have ?
This is included In our management package for our clients and an important service provided
These visits aren’t just about spotting problems. They’re about building trust and ensuring the property continues to feel like home.
Why mid-tenancy inspections matter ? An inspection allows landlords to check that the property is being looked after, but also that tenants feel supported. Issues such as maintenance needs, safety concerns or any questions that are thought about at the time and to check on any recent maintenance that has been undertaken also
For tenants, knowing their landlord cares enough to check in often leads to better communication and longer stays.
These are respectful visits to the occupiers and useful to pick up any maintenance issues with a fresh pair of eyes too and to ensure you are happy too
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NEXT MONTH =NEW MOVE IN FOR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
🧳 🏡 🧳 🏠
Preparation Before Move-In
Confirm details: Confirm your accommodation details and ensure you have all required documents before moving day.
Pack smart: Pack essentials like bedding, toiletries, and seasonal clothing, but don't overpack, as you'll likely buy some items later.
Coordinate shared items: If moving into a shared house, coordinate with your flat mates to avoid buying multiple duplicate items like toasters and colanders.
Moving Day & Settling In Unpack essentials first: On move-in day, the first priority is to set up your bed so you have somewhere to sleep, even if the rest of your room is still a mess.
Open communication: Talk to your flat mates early about household bills and items, establishing clear expectations for shared costs.
Establish household routines: Set up a system for managing communal needs, such as weekly rota's for taking out bins or a noise curfew.
Take advantage of university support: Don't hesitate to use the resources available at your university to help .
We are only a call/email away if needed and mostly enjoy your new home and next adventure
☎️ Telephone: 01392 202220
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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# Having dealt with several Local Letting Agents we found Kym Hamilton of Cooksleys by far the most helpful and patient during our recent search for a property. She is a valuable member of the Cooksley's Letting Team.
# Kym is a very professional agent, she is knowledgeable in what she doing. She help us to make our home letting experience a smooth one, she is very responsive to all our queries and keep us updated on all the progress for the whole process.
Thank you Kym for all your help!
# We have just rented a flat through Cooksleys in Exeter. Kym (the Lettings Coordinator) was brilliant from the start and all through the process. Really excellent communications and explained all the paperwork (there is lots!), what she would do and what we needed to do.
Popping into the office to sign the contract was hassle free and well explained - thanks Mark - as was picking up the keys - thanks Kym!
Very professional, efficient, helpful and friendly team that went out of their way to make the process smooth.
Highly recommended. Thank you.
# Used my fair share of letting agencies over the years and had always found them cold and impersonal, so was very happy to find Cooksleys so friendly, personable and straight forward to deal with! Special mention to Kym for being so helpful and friendly and for making the whole experience as easy as possible
# I purchased a 15th Century almshouse in Exeter from Cooksleys some 20 years ago and they have successfully found me tenants on several occasions. I have now sold the property through the firm and was impressed with their efficient, friendly and professional service, with regular feedback and updates.
# I rented through Cooksleys for 12 years and have always found them to be super supportive and friendly. I always felt like they respected that, although a rental property, the house was our home and they were considerate of this during the regular inspections. Thank you to the lettings team help at the end of our tenancy, if we ever need to find a rental property again we would not hesitate in contacting Cooksleys again.
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We believe in keeping the process of renting your property out as simple and as stress free with the upmost efficiency.
As one of Exeter’s original independent rental agents we believe in traditional service with a personal touch and we are here to help with all of your questions, queries etc.
All of our staff members have a vast knowledge of the rental sector and are willing to help out where required face to face in our City Centre office.
We pride ourselves in keeping all of our properties compliant with the changes in the regulations that are being brought in to the rental sector on a regular basis.
All of our fees our transparent with no hidden costs there are no extras for certain things that are carried out.
We also have a Director who runs the maintenance department of Cooksleys and this is offered to the tenants on a 24 hour basis.
We have a range of contractors who can be called out to carry out minor repairs to refurbishments and also arrange all of the certificates required without no extra charge to you as the landlord.
We advertise the property on our Website, Facebook, X, in our City Centre Office, Rightmove and “On The Market” and we charge one of the lowest fees to potential tenants.
We offer two services fully managed or tenant find only as a small independent Estate Agent we are able to tailor the package accordingly to suit the individual needs of the landlord.
We are also always happy to meet landlords at potential investment properties.
We look forward to hearing from you
