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The top property rental tips for Oxford University students

Finding the right accommodation to rent in Oxford can be a great challenge for the university student who already has a very limited amount of time, and money, not to mention a lack of experience in buying and renting property. Here are the top tips to help prevent you from suffering the stresses of renting the wrong property in Oxford.

Rent with other university students

The cost of rent per person tends to go down as the number of sharers in the house increases. If you are a full time student you will be exempt from paying council tax, part time students on the other hand will still have to pay. Full time students should avoid sharing accommodation with part time students in case the household decides that it is unfair for the part-time student to pay the entire Council Tax bill on their own.

Find your accommodation early

The best student accommodation in Oxford tends to go early. Make sure you check the Oxford University boards and recommend estate agencies, plus try asking other existing students for advice on where they rented previously and if they have any of their own tips. You can also use a UK property search engine like Gartoo to find the best properties early.

Don't be put off if the house is a mess

Cleaning a house from top to bottom isn’t fun, but if the house is in a mess when you look around, don’t let this put you off as this is the fault of the previous tenant, and is not a reflection on the landlord or property.  

Make sure you judge interior over exterior

Don't worry if your house looks shoddy from the outside, just make sure the space you have to live in is up to scratch. Try to gauge the quality of the carpets and walls when you are looking around.  

Find out what furniture is included with the property

The furniture you see in the property when you look around might belong to the previous tenant, be sure to ask your landlord what furniture is included.  

Find out what electrical appliances are included with the house.

It really is useful to have a washing machine as laundrettes are rare in Oxford, and they are expensive compared to having your own washing machine. Don't expect a TV either.

Seek unbiased advice on what it’s like to live in Oxford

It’s advisable to network with other students in Oxford by participating on student forums, and social networking websites such as Facebook. It’s likely that your landlord will have a vested interest in selling you the property, so be sure to take the landlord’s advice sparingly.

Find a property in a safe area

Oxford has a student population of approximately 30,000, which makes it a targeted area for burglars. Students should ask their Landlord to fit key operating locks on the windows and five lever deadlocks on all external doors. Before renting a property it is advisable to visit the area in the evening to get a feel for how safe the area is.

About the Author

This article was written by Gartoo. To see the latest property available in Oxford please visit Gartoo.co.uk.

Universal truths. Can you relate to any of the following?

Everyone relates to the embarrassment of calling their teacher 'Mum or Dad'.

Everyone had an Uncle who tried to steal their nose.

No one ever dares to make a cup-a-soup in a bowl.

No one's ever met anyone who has had there arm broken by a swan.

Triangular sandwiches always taste nicer than square ones.

No one knows where at least 50% of their coathangers came from.

Every man has at some point pulled the chain/lever half way through and tried to beat the flush.

Your dog that gets mad at you when you blow in his face, is the same dog who loves to hang his head out of the
car- window when you're travelling at speed.

Got any more?

Universal truths?
1. Never called my teachers by my parents' name. Can barely grasp the concept, though.

2. Yes, I had uncles who thought that was hilarious -- but who never realized the puzzled expression on the child's face was not "How'd my nose get there?" but rather, "Why is this man calling his thumb my nose?" I have to admit, though, I've tried it on a child or two.

BTW, one of those uncles had an annoying habit. Whenever a cousin would ask, "Has anyone seen my xyz?," he'd always answer, "I know where it is. (wait for it.) It's the last place you look!" So helpful. So kind. Maybe it's a good thing he only had one child (-:.

3. I've made cup-a-soup in a bowl. I heard styrofoam was bad for you, so I went through a phase. Then I heard cup-a-soup is bad for you, so I figured, why bother? When I have it, I have it in the styrofoam.

4. Nope. Can imagine this, though.

5. Yes, they do, don't they? Why is that?

6. I don't know where 50 percent of my coathangers GO. I know I buy tons, but whenever I need one . . . suddenly I have no free ones. I don't dry clean, though, so that may have something to do with it.

7. Not a man. You guys really do that?

8. My dogs are so easy-going they are pitiful. Except when it comes to riding in the car, because that means vet or shots, so they cower and one vomits a lot.

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