Looking for student accommodation? Find out here what to look for before and during the viewing of a student room!
What to look out for before viewing student digs?
Before you go to a student dorm viewing, consider the factors below.
Location
- How far is the city center?
- How far is the dorm from campus?
- Is it accessible by foot, bike or public transportation?
- Is the dorm located in a quiet neighborhood with cafes and bars (little noise pollution)?
- Are supermarkets, sports facilities, pharmacies, post offices and other useful amenities nearby?
Price and cost
- What are the average rents in the neighborhood? Is the cot well priced?
- What is included in the rent (energy, water, internet)? Are there any additional costs? If so, what?
- What are the terms of the lease?
- What is the notice period?
- What is the duration of the contract?
- How much is the rental deposit?
Residents
- How many fellow students are there?
- What courses do the fellow students do?
- How long have current fellow students occupied the building?
What to look for during a viewing of a student room?
Below you will find all the things to look out for when viewing a student dorm. Print out this article and take the list with you. That way you won’t forget anything!
Safety
- Is the area well lit at night?
- Are the doors and windows properly secured?
- Are smoke detectors and fire extinguishers present?
- Are you required to have fire insurance?
- Do you feel safe in the neighborhood, both day and night?
- How do you gain access to the building? With keys, a code, …?
State of the building
- Do you see cracks or stains on the walls or ceilings?
- Do you see signs of moisture problems, mold or pests?
- Are there plans for renovations or major maintenance soon?
- What is the condition of the common corridors and stairwells?
- Are the interior and exterior of the building properly maintained?
The room itself
- Is there adequate lighting?
- Does the room get enough daylight?
- Is there adequate ventilation in the room?
- Is the room large enough and practically laid out?
- How well is the room insulated against noise from neighbors, the street, kitchen and bathroom?
Facilities and furniture
- Can you park your bike safely?
- Are there provided smoking areas?
- Is there air conditioning available?
- How is the room heated?
- Can you adjust the room temperature yourself?
- Is there a (high-speed) Internet connection available?
- Are there any restrictions around the Internet bundle (download)?
- Are there enough electrical outlets? Are they practically placed?
- Is there furniture present? Are they in good condition and practical for use? Or should/may you bring your own furniture? How will you get the furniture up to the room?
- Are there common facilities:
- Shared TV?
- Shared printers?
- Shared washing machine?
- Shared study spaces?
- Shared fitness areas?
Sanitary facilities
- What is the condition of the bathroom and toilet?
- Do you have your own bathroom or do you share the bathroom with others?
Kitchen facilities
- Do you have your own kitchen or do you share it with other residents?
- Is there enough storage space for your food and utensils?
- Are there enough cook stoves, ovens, microwaves for the number of students and are they in good condition?
- Do you have to bring your own pots, pans and cooking utensils or is this communal? If communal, in what condition are these items?
House Rules
- Who is the contact person in disputes between students?
- What are the agreements and rules around:
- pets?
- hosting guests/visitors?
- overnight guests/visitors?
- the procedure of final inspection upon departure?
- noise pollution? Especially in the evening and at night.
- the cleaning of the common areas?
- food in the refrigerator? Does everyone share each other’s’ purchases?
- mail and packages? How is mail delivery arranged?
- dirty dishes? Is there a rotation or does everyone wash their own dishes?
- waste management? Should you separate waste? Where should you deposit it? Should you put a container on the street?
Want to know more about what your landlord can legally set as house rules? Then read our article All rental housing rules by law.
Other matters
- Are there organized activities or social activities for the residents? E.g. BBQ
- If possible, get to know your future neighbors or roommates. What is the atmosphere in the house?
Sources: KU Leuven, Student, Student Kotweb
Would you like to cite this article as a source? Then use:
Stiasteny, L. (2024, June 1). What to look out for when viewing student digs? Apartment.be. Consulted on (date XX/XX/202X), from https://www.appartement.be/bezichtiging-van-een-studentenkot