Hi everyone, I'm Chloe - I'm a third year student currently on a placement and I've written this super handy guide to help you find your next student home! It gets to this time in the year where we all start rushing into looking for and signing for student housing when we've barely settled into our current homes. I've been in your shoes and I know this feeling well - you start to feel anxious that other people are looking and feel pressured into doing the same.

It's easy to follow suit, but there's a lot to consider - from spotting scams to understanding your budget and picking the right housemates, these tips will help you find a place you'll actually enjoy coming home to... without any of the usual headaches.

Think of me as your go-to guide for student housing, follow my advice, and trust me - I've been there, done that, and I'm here to help you get it right.

How long do I really have to find a place?

Now, there is some truth in the best places getting snapped up first, however, these ones are usually super expensive. This is only something you should do if you were going into your final year AND had a solid group of friends you've already lived with.

Landlords will start to advertise properly from the start of December, and whilst it's good to get some viewings booked in - don't sign any tenancy agreements or pay any deposits until after the Christmas break. There's no shortage in Sheffield when it comes to student properties either, so take your time to find your perfect place.

Choose your housemates wisely

Seriously consider who you want to live with for the next year - it's a big deal!

Now this is (in my opinion) is absolutely crucial when you're looking for somewhere to live, as living with someone you don' get along with can make things super difficult. You will be living with them for around a year, so you need to seriously take that into consideration. Socialising with someone and living with someone are two completely different experiences, and it will make that year drag out if you choose the wrong people.

Think about these things:

• Are you all on the same page about cleanliness?
• Do you have similar routines and habits?
• Do you all have the same budget?
• Can you trust them not to mess you around?

You might also want to consider how many people you want to live with. It can often be cheaper living with more people in a shared house - but this all depends on size, location, and overall quality. Consider bedroom sizes too, you don't want to fall out over a room before you even move in.

It's not uncommon to rush these things as you can get caught up in the excitement of it all, just remember once you've signed a contract, it can be difficult to get out of one.

Budget basics - what you need to know about rent and bills

When you start looking, have a budget in your head AND stick to it. Don't let others pressure you into signing for something you can't afford, there's no point getting into money trouble as it will only make you feel worse in the long run. Your maintenance loan is there to use on your rent and bills. If you sign for an expensive property, it's on you to cover the extra costs if your loan doesn't cover them fully.

In some cases it may be cheaper to pay for your bills separately, but if you're living with others you need to be confident that they'll pay their fair share and on time. If you'd rather your bills all came out at the same time and didn't fluctuate in price, it's worth getting a property with bills included.

If you're unsure on your budget, check out Money Helper - this can help you calculate what you'll be able to spend on rent each month.

Don't rush in! Avoid signing without seeing the property

Please make sure you view any property before signing for it! Don't rely on a friend's opinion and definitely don't rely on the images of the property. Go to view it in person because you'll be able to spot certain things that the pictures don't show. Whilst you're at the viewing, prepare a list beforehand of all the questions to ask the landlord whilst you're there.

Here's some questions if you aren't sure of the kind of things to ask:

• How much are the bills typically each month? It's helpful to know what to expect in terms of costs for things like electricity, water, and internet.
• How quick are you at responding to maintenance issues or repairs? No one wants to be left in the cold if the heating breaks down, so understanding the response time is key.
• Are we allowed to decorate or put up posters on the walls? You're going to want to make it as homely as possible, so it's good to know if there are any restrictions.
• What happens if one of us needs to move out before the end of the contract? Life happens, and it's useful to know your options if someone in your group has to leave unexpectedly.

And here's some questions you might want to ask the current tenants (you'll get the truth asking these):

• What's it really like living here? This open-ended question can give you honest insights into the good and bad aspects of the property from people who've experienced living there.
• Are there any hidden issues with the house, like mould or poor heating? Tenants are more likely to point out problems that you might not notice on a quick tour.
• Is the internet reliable here? Fast and stable internet is a must for both studying and streaming - tenants will know if there are issues.
• How noisy does it get, especially during exam season? If you're someone who needs peace and quiet to study, you'll want to know if the house or neighbourhood gets loud.
• Would you recommend this place to a friend? Their answer will tell you a lot about their overall satisfaction with the property and the landlord.

It's so important you and your housemates find accommodation that suits you all. Tenancy contracts can be lengthy and daunting so never sign anything you don't understand. Our Advice Centre offers a free contract checking service, where fully trained and qualified Advisers can look over your tenancy contract before you sign it to let you know if anything seems out of place.

Snug Accreditation - what it means and why it matters

While most landlords are professional and trustworthy, unfortunately there are times when this isn't the case. Every student deserves to feel confident that their landlord is reputable, and that's where 'Snug' comes into play.

Sheffield Hallam University, the Students' Union, and Sheffield City Council have teamed up to create a 'private sector student property standards scheme' called Snug.

Snug was introduced to tighten up the control and regulation of student housing in Sheffield to make sure all students have access to good-quality, safe accommodation. Properties receive Snug status only if both the home and its landlord meet specific standards for property conditions and tenancy management. These standards include factors like furniture quality, electrical safety, security, decor, and the condition of kitchens and bathrooms, as well as the landlord's approach to property management.

For more information on this, or if you're having issues with your landlord or accommodation provider, Snug or not, contact the Advice Centre or email accommodation@shu.ac.uk.

The best places to start your student housing search

The safest way to find student properties in Sheffield is through SHU Accommodation Services. Choose from 14 different Uni-managed halls or find a private student house or flat on Studentpad.

All properties advertised with SHU are 'Snug' accredited, giving you added reassurance that the properties and landlords/agents are high standard.

More private student properties can be found online, but the Uni cannot guarantee their quality so proceed at your own risk:

• UniHomes
• Right Move
• Dove Students
• Strawberry Student Homes
• Accommodation for Students
• Gnome Student Homes
• Fit Property

Keep an eye out for our annual Housing Fair (typically held in November) where you can meet Snug agents and landlords, ask anything you're unsure of, and have a look at the properties they have on offer.

Housing scams - don't get caught out!

Accommodation scams are pretty frequent, especially in house hunting season, and some can look pretty legit so never give any personal information if you aren't 100% sure. You don't want to lose out on any money by sending it to wrong people. Keep the following in mind throughout your search:

• DON'T trust any messages from numbers you don't know
• NEVER send money to a company you don't know - triple check it is a legit company you have spoken with about sending a deposit etc. over to. (If you're unsure, get someone to check).
• ALWAYS view accommodation before you pay a holding deposit - make sure the accommodation exists and is in a liveable condition.
• ALWAYS pay for your accommodation with the provider directly - avoid third party rent payment services.
• If a deal seems too good to be, it probably is!
• If you think you may have been targeted by fraud in any capacity, please report it to the police by calling 101 or via Action Fraud.

Use your brain!

Trust your gut instinct with this whole process. Think logically and don't be scared to speak up if you spot something that doesn't feel right. Ask as many questions as you want, and get a good understanding of it all before you put pen to paper! Please don't just nod along to keep the peace - you're going to have to live there too and you should enjoy it.

It's going to be a long few months with booking viewings and contacting properties but it's all worth it in the end. Remember, this is your home we're talking about, a place where you'll study, relax, and host many pre's - so it's worth getting it right.