Accommodation is one of the main issues you will be faced with throughout your course of study in the UK.

2.1 Finding accommodation in advance
2.2 University/college accommodation
2.3 Private accommodation
2.4 Tenancy Agreement
2.5 Deposit and rent
2.6 Council tax

2.1 Finding accommodation in advance

It is always best to sort out the accommodation as soon as you can. There are several types of accommodation that you can choose from and there are also shortages in areas such as London. So, it is unwise to leave this important issue until the last minute. As soon as you have accepted a place on a course, you need to look for suitable accommodation by contacting the accommodation office of your university or college. Remember to complete and submit any application forms by the deadline. At the very minimum, make sure you have temporary accommodation sorted out before you leave Maldives.

2.2 University/college accommodation

Universities and colleges run their own accommodation service for the students of their institution. There are several types of this accommodation:

• Halls of residence: large buildings accommodating large numbers of students, with some halls being catered (meals provided) and others being self-catered (students have to cook their own food)
• Houses: for small groups of students
• Flats for married students and/or students with families

As a norm, if you submit the application for accommodation by the deadline, universities and colleges provide their accommodation at least for all the first year undergraduate students, and the first year students in postgraduate courses who are new to the university/college.

For comparison, typical weekly rent for a university accommodation will be in the range of £70-£140. The cost of a one-bedroom flat in Central London can be more than £800 per month, and the same in Manchester can be over £400.

Halls of Residence

In a hall of residence you have your own bedroom (or shared bedroom) and you will have a bed, bed-mattress, storage space for your clothing, a desk, a chair, bookshelves and internet point. Your room may also have ensuite toilet and shower areas, but will be more expensive if so.

It may be a good idea to start out in the university or college accommodation, even if you think you would eventually prefer private accommodation. It is a great way to get to know other students, you will normally be close to your campus and other facilities, and there are many such benefits.

However, there may be some disadvantages in choosing a hall of residence, such as paying the rent for a whole term in advance, and you might have to move out of your accommodation during the semester holidays such as during the summer (which may be an advantage as well!).

How do you apply? The university or college will normally send you an application form and information about their accommodation when you are offered a place. Important thing is to send back the application form by the deadline.

2.3 Private accommodation

There is a wide choice of housing in the private sector. Several students choose to share a house with other students and there are many opportunities to meet other students who want to live in a shared house.

Private sector accommodation may be owned and run by private companies, organisations such as charity organisations or individuals (landlords). There are different forms of private accommodation:

• Flats and houses
• Student hostels
• Lodging
• Bedsits

2.3.1 Flats and houses

This is perhaps the most famous choice for students who are not first year students. The rent of flats and houses vary widely depending on size and location. A self-contained flat or house which is furnished will typically have a living room, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom(s) and sometimes a dining room. You will need to sign a tenancy agreement by law and is legally binding. You will need to pay a deposit (which is normally one month rent) at the time of signing. Normally, you will also be required to pay the utility bills (gas, electricity, water) and TV license for the property. If not it will be mentioned that the rent is inclusive of these.

The most important thing to remember about securing a flat or house from the private sector is that the place should be viewed by yourself before signing an agreement.

The advantage of this type of accommodation is that you and your friends/family will have lots of independence, and when you split your costs it will sometimes be even cheaper that other types of accommodation! This is the most suitable type of accommodation if you have your family or spouse with you.

The main disadvantage is that sometimes it is very difficult to find a suitable flat or house near the campus, and if there are, they will mostly be very expensive.

How do you find flats or houses? Contact the accommodation office at your university or college for help. Also, contact the Student Advisor of MSA (UK) (by email at studentadvisor@msa-uk.org) for assistance. If you are in the UK, check for advertisements in local newspapers, in shop windows, notice boards. You can also advertise by yourself in these places. You can also contact a letting agent to find a suitable accommodation. Some of the letting agents charge a fee for their service, whilst others do not. You should find out first about this from them before getting help. It is illegal for an agency to insist that you pay fees before they have found acceptable accommodation for you. To find a letting agent, you can try the Yellow Pages (www.yell.co.uk)

Those who bring families have to remember that finding proper private sector flats or houses takes several weeks and hence you should arrive several weeks before your course start date and look for proper accommodation. It is not advisable to bring your family before you have found suitable accommodation. Normally, the university or college will not be able to provide emergency accommodation for more than two or three days.

2.3.2 Student hostels

These hostels are normally run by charitable organisations. Some are for nationals of specific countries, and others are open to multinationals. The average cost of student hostels are about £60 per week.

The hostels are normally made up of rooms for single students, but few also provide rooms for married couples. Many hostels provide meals, and also kitchens are provided in others.

The main advantage of student hostels compared with university or college accommodation is that you are better equipped to become familiar with an area and decide where you would like to look for other accommodation. The main disadvantage is that furnishing and facilities is student hostels may be of a lower standard than in some other type of accommodation.

How to apply? To secure a place you need to apply direct to the hostel and pay a deposit. However it should be noted that hostels are not available everywhere and some of them have a long waiting list. Thus you will need to apply as soon as you accept a place in a course.

2.3.3 Lodgings

Lodging means you will be living with the landlord, in the landlord's house. The average rent could be between £70-90 per week. In lodging, you will have your own room, but will most probably have to share the bathroom with the landlord. Your host may provide meals, if not you will have access to the kitchen so that you can make your own food.

The main advantage of lodging may be that if you get along well with the landlord, living in lodging can be a comfortable option. The disadvantage can be that you will need to adapt your lifestyle to the customs and routines of the household. Thus you will have less independence than in some other types of accommodation.

How to find a place? Follow the same methods as given for flats and houses.

2.3.4 Bedsits

The word ‘bedsit' means normally a combination of bedroom and sitting room. Some large houses consist entirely of bedsits, which are rented out to couples or individuals. Other bedsits may be located in someone's house. The rent can be in the range of £65-£100 per week, depending on the location and the type.

In a bedsit, you will normally have a single room containing living, sleeping and sometimes cooking arrangements. If cooking arrangements are included, they are likely to be only a small refrigerator, an electric kettle, a microwave oven and /or a hotplate. Similar to flats and houses, you will have to sign a tenancy agreement with the landlord and may also have to share some utility bills. You might also have a separate electricity or gas meter for your room only. If cooking facilities are not included in the room, you will have to share a kitchen with other residents of the house. In addition to that you need to share the bathroom.

The main advantage of a bedsit may be that you have more independence in a bedsit than lodging, and the main disadvantage may be that you will have less chance of being more social compared to living in another type of accommodation.

2.4 Tenancy Agreement

By law, you will need to sign a tenancy agreement when you secure a place in the private sector, such as a flat, house or bedsit.

Tenancy agreements normally contain information about the amount or rent, the length of the tenancy and what rights you and your landlord will have under the law. In most cases you will be signing an "assured shorthold tenancy" which means that your landlord cannot ask you to leave without a good reason during the first six months. However, you should read through the tenancy agreement carefully, and seek advice from someone (contact the student advisor of MSA (UK)) if you have any queries, before signing the agreement.

The landlord will most of the time, ask you to sign an inventory list, which is a list of all the items in the property. If you have to sign an inventory list, make sure the list is correct by checking the property to see if all the items listed on the list are there and in the condition mentioned in the list. You also have to inform the landlord (or letting agent, if you are finding the property through an agent) of any damaged or faulty item (furniture, kitchen items, toilet items etc) as soon as you move in.

2.5 Deposit and rent

Mostly you will have to pay a deposit. Make sure you obtain a receipt for the deposit, or any fees you have paid. You have the full right to claim the deposit at the end of the tenancy when you leave, if you have paid all the bills in full and caused no damage to the property. You must also keep record of all the rent payments you make, for your own record. There are different methods of paying the rent. You could pay by cash, by cheque or set up a standing order with the bank. In the latter case, the rent will be paid by the bank to the landlord (or the letting agent; i.e. to the bank account details you provided to the bank) by direct debit on a specific date each month. This method is the most convenient to you and the landlord/letting agent as you do not have to physically pay the rent each month.

2.6 Council tax

By law, most of the adults in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales)have to pay council tax based on the value of the property they live in, to cover the cost of local services such as police, rubbish collection, etc. (In Northern Ireland a different tax is applied)

But, if you are a full-time registered student, you (and your family if they are living with you) will not normally have to pay council tax, unless you share the accommodation with someone who is not a student. Either way, if you live in private accommodation, you will need to fill in a Council Tax form from your local Council Office and send in your Council Tax - Student Certificate. This is issued by institutions, annually, to all its full-time students, when requested.

The council tax rules are complex. For more information check the following: www.ukcosa.org.uk/images/tax.pdf

You can also contact the student advisor of MSA (UK) for further assistance. You can also contact the International office, or Student welfare officer of your university or college.