Believe it or not, your first term is nearly finished with and for most of you that means packing up to go back home to be fed, watered and have your washing done!

Before you leave for Christmas  though, we need you to take note of some important information below.

1. Ensure you leave your heating on low before you go home.

Leaving the heating on is vital. A burst pipe running for any length of time can leave the house uninhabitable for months. We will try to come to check that you have done this as early in the holidays as possible. So if you are staying in the property over the holidays please let me know and we won’t bother you.

2. Please make provision for paying January’s rent if you have not done so already.

It is due on 1^st January, but if your loan is later than this please let us know so we can make other arrangements for you. Please also ensure that any outstanding rent is paid before you go home.

3. Rats 

Whatever you do, don’t leave out waste food on plates etc. to rot while you are away or the house will stink when you get back and you could find yourself infested with rats and/or mice, together with a large bill to get rid of them. You should also check the fridges for anything that may rot over the Christmas period.

4. Make sure all rubbish or recycling is put in the correct bin.

Canterbury

If you leave any other bags out, they will still be there when you get back but ripped to shreds by animals. The Council will identify the culprits and dish out heavy fines. If you have excess bags take them to the tip on Vauxhall Road, CT1 1QY.

Medway

Bag everything up and put the bags out. You will know your bin collection days by now and these are as normal up to 24 December. Make sure you have a good clear out the night before as you are not allowed to put bags out for longer than a day and will be fined by the Council if you do. You will need to take any excess bags to the tip – Ambley Road off Hoath Road ME8 0SJ.

5. Run the taps

When returning to the house, run the taps for two minutes so the water supply is fresh and not stagnant water that has been sitting in the pipes for weeks.

Lastly, from everyone at JG Student Lets, have a great Christmas and new year, and return safe and well!

‘Clearing’ is the process of universities looking to match up the empty spaces on their courses with the students who do not yet have a place confirmed. In fact, many of the top 20 Universities regularly accept students through Clearing.

Most people assume that Clearing is only for those who have achieved lower than expected exam results. However, over-achievement in exams or simply a change of heart about what course to do are also popular reasons to look down the Clearing route. With a lot to do in a short space of time, it can be stressful. Because of this, research is absolutely vital.

How do I secure a University place through Clearing?

If you find yourself in the Clearing process, it is important to act swiftly. Below is a video guide from UCAS on exactly what you need to do in order to get your place on a course:

Find further information on the UCAS website.

Where will I live?

Your place on a course is now confirmed. As a result of this, your next step is to find somewhere to live. If you had a chance to visit your University before getting your place, then it is worthwhile making enquiries with accommodation providers about availability during this time. If not, another visit to your Uni would be beneficial, especially if you are not familiar with the area and would like to view accommodation before committing to it.

The quality and cost of accommodation can vary throughout the country. Most first year students do find accommodation directly through the University, but when coming through Clearing you may find that all their flats and houses are full. This will mean you need to search for private agents or landlords. For speed,  the quickest place to do this will be the internet. You will likely find a plethora of different agents and landlords after a quick google.

Due to the little time between securing a place on a course and its start date, it is always a good idea to phone the agent direct rather than emailing them. This way you can find out exactly what you need to do to secure a room and what rooms they have to offer you.

Things to consider when looking for accommodation:

At JG Student Lets, we offer the following on in all of our houses in Canterbury & Medway:

Rent inclusive of the gas, electric and water bills – Not all agents have bills included in the rent so it is imperative to find out what you get for your money

No deposit to pay – Different agents charge different amounts for their deposits. Whilst we do not take a deposit for our tenancies, if yours does, ensure that your payment is lodged with a Tenancy Deposit Scheme. This is a requirement by law and offers you protection from rogue landlords.

Fully furnished properties with locks on the bedroom doors – All our bedrooms come supplied with a bed, wardrobe space, chest of drawers, a desk and chair as minimum. The lounge will have enough seating for a number of tenants in the property. The kitchen will have an oven, hobs, microwave, fridge and freezers as well as a washing machine as standard. With other agents, make sure you ask what furniture and appliances are included.

All safety checks carried out at the regular recommended intervals – Gas boilers need checking every 12 months, the electrical wiring every 5 years and the fire alarms and appliances should all be tested regularly as well.

Other things to consider:

• Is the house safe – In addition to the regular checks that need carrying out, have you had a chance to view the potential property and did it look safe? Were there any uneven floor boards or loose wires?
• Gut feeling – When you have spoken to the agent, do they seem professional, friendly and, in a nut shell, do you trust them to look after you as a tenant?
• Reputation – Do you know anyone else who goes to or went to the Uni? If so, do they know of the agent? Find out what is being said online about them.
• Paperwork – Enquire as to what you need to do in order to secure a room. Always ask for copies of the paperwork to read through before committing to anything. If you don’t understand something, query it with the agent or speak with a more experienced adult. In some cases, a Guarantor may be required as part of the sign up process. Ask the agent what their requirement for a suitable Guarantor are. Lastly, does the Tenancy Agreement tally up with what they have said in previously?
• Property location – Is the property near Uni? Are there local amenities nearby so you don’t have a 30-minute walk to the nearest supermarket? Is the local area safe? How close is it to the town centre?

Conclusion

In summary, Clearing is not the doom and gloom some consider it to be. With the right amount of research and application, you are highly likely to find the course and accommodation you need. Who knows, you might even end up better off than you would have been with your original plans!

If you find yourself being offered a place at University in Canterbury or Medway, do not hesitate to get in touch with us at JG Student Lets and we will do all we can to help.

Arranging the broadband as a student in private accommodation can be confusing. It is likely the time you have to organise your own bills. With so many options out there now, it can be overwhelming to get started.

What do I need to know before arranging my broadband?

These are the things you should consider when setting up your student broadband:

The speeds available to you

Most areas do have fibre optics which offer good speeds. Be aware though that there are still properties that have the old copper wires which have lower speeds. Use Broadbandspeedchecker.com for a guide on the speeds you can expect in the area.

The length of contract

If your tenancy is 12 months long, it’s not worth getting a 2-year broadband deal. Getting an 18-month contract may have its benefits, but cancelling 6 months before the contract expires will incur expensive cancellation fees. Additionally, there are student-specific 9-month contracts. These can be beneficial if you are only in your student house from late September until June.

The Price

In addition to the monthly cost, be aware of set up costs, delivery fees and charges for going over your data allowance.

Data Allowances

How much data will you need? Streaming TV /films, online gaming and downloading large files will use lots of data. If this is you then you may want to look into getting an unlimited data package. If you only use the internet for general browsing, then it could be more economical to opt for a package with limited data.

Do you want a calls package?

Most suppliers will need you to pay line rental in order to supply your broadband. However, if you are not going to be using the phone line for calls then it is not worth having. If you are planning on using your landline for calls, it is worth getting a specific calls package as this will drastically reduce the amount you pay.

Do you want a TV package?

Most companies will offer a TV package as well, particularly if you are looking at one of the big companies like Sky or BT. Consider if this is something your group would like, but also appreciate the additional cost this will involve.

Paying the bills

Normally, one tenant will take the lead and set up the broadband on behalf of the whole house. This responsibility includes paying the bill. They then go round to each tenant to collect their portion of the bill. If you do not like the sound of this there are other options. Companies such as Split The Bills and Glide will organise your broadband for you. They then charge each tenant individually as if you all have a separate account.

Price Comparison

Compare The Market and Moneysupermarket are just two of the many out there. It’s always worth checking direct suppliers though, just in case there are any special deals that aren’t advertised on the comparison sites.

Set up your package in advance

Give yourself plenty of time to do research the packages. If you can, place the order at least 3 weeks before you move in. This allows you the freedom to activate your account for whenever is suitable for you.

Remember to cancel your package before you move out

Make sure to contact your provider and cancel your package. Setting up a reminder for a month or two before your tenancy ends is a good idea. There is normally a notice period and you do not want to be paying for broadband after your tenancy has ended.

Summary

It is important to do some research before placing your broadband order. You want to make sure you get the right deal for your tenant group. Make sure everyone is happy with the package and the costs are clear. This should set you up in good stead to get the best deal available.

Firstly, do you actually need a job?

So you might be thinking “if I didn’t need a job, I wouldn’t be reading this”. But before reading on, it’s definitely worth asking yourself first if a part-time job is right for you at this moment in time.

Establish exactly why it is that you want a part time job. Are you doing it purely for the dollar, or is it to bulk out your CV or even just to meet new people, perhaps? Or all of the above?

If you’re doing it just for the money, make sure you work out what your monthly budget is first. Sitting down to work out what your incomings and outgoings will give you a clear idea of how much of a shortfall you need to make up.

You might even find you don’t need a job after all, and just a few small money-making tricks here and there will be enough to bring in some pocket money.

It’s also worth pointing out that whilst juggling a job at uni will look great on your CV, getting some temporary work experience or getting involved in some extracurricular activities can do the same trick, without you having to commit long term.

It’s crucial to sit down and work out how much time you have outside of uni that you can commit to a job. Can your timetable really accommodate a part-time job? Most universities would advise no more than 15 hours a week during term time.

Getting The Right Balance

While it’s totally understandable that you might need some extra cash, don’t put it ahead of your studies. It can be easy to fall into the trap of working all the hours you can, often to the detriment of your degree.

Before committing yourself to a position, have a talk with your potential employer about how many hours you can do per week, and what your availability realistically looks like.

Flexibility can be pretty crucial when it comes to working and studying simultaneously, so it’s important to know your boss has your back. Especially when exam period comes around. You need to know the company you’ll be working for understands just how important your studies are.

So where to start?

As with most money-making opportunities, sometimes the hardest part of finding a good part-time jobs is knowing where to look.  Here is out top 5 points to help you get started!

1. Search online: It may seem obvious but knowing exactly where to look online is key! Sometimes the best place to look can be on company websites or on their social media, for their vacancies. You can also sign up to job sites so they notify you when positions pop up in your area.
2. Try this search tool from Save the Student, they claim it is one of the best around! UCAS also have some handy tips.
3. University schemes: A lot of universities will organise job fairs throughout the year, giving you a chance to meet employers directly, so make sure to get out of bed on that day. Many unis also have a JobShop service too, and will hire people directly to work in their shops, bars and on open days.
4. Ask around: If you’re lucky enough to have friends or family working at a company you like, they might be able to give you a heads up when a new opening is coming – and hopefully put in a good word!
5. Walk in and ask: Weirdly enough, when it comes to finding part-time jobs, just walking into a place with your CV and asking if there are any jobs going tends to be most effective. It might make you squirm at first, but once you’ve got past the first couple, it’ll be a doddle!

5 things to consider doing this Summer

It’s finally the summer and all those deadlines and exams are behind you, for now at least and it’s time to enjoy some time not focused on Uni! Here’s a short list to give you some inspiration of what to do with your time this year! Make the most of it as it will be over before you know it!

1. Summer Job

Whether you’re earning money for rent or looking for experience you can put on your CV, working should definitely be on your list of things to do this summer! In the event that you can’t find paid work, try volunteering for a good cause and do some good for someone else (and it won’t look too bad on your CV either!) Have a look at this useful guide to Volunterring!

http://gph.is/1glYNN6

2. Travelling

Feel like you want to get away for a bit, but don’t want to stay in one place? Why not just get up and go? Jump on a train, visit some places you’ve never been. You don’t have to leave the country to travel and see new places. Why not see how many cities you can visit in one summer? You might be surprised how great some of them are, right on your doorstep too!

Have a look at the Visit England site gives you some handy info about transport and places to go!

http://gph.is/11yQ7er

3. Festivals

There’s always music festivals going on and the biggest of those take place over the summer. Being stuck in a field with no showers and poor toilet facilities, getting sweaty and listening to loud music, what more could you possibly want?!

Here’s a handy festival database to see whats going on near you!

Don’t just think of the big ones, the smaller more intimate, and sometimes more local festivals provide an enjoyable atmosphere. Plus they are also usually half the price!

http://gph.is/1FCXIIH

4. Get Fit

After weeks of drinking and late night dissertation/exam snacking, your body deserves some TLC – summer is the perfect time to get yourself in shape! Whether it’s a run every couple of days or a couple of minutes every day in front of the TV with a fitness DVD – every little helps.

Have a look at this to get you started.

http://gph.is/2gaZJJM

5. Spend time with your family

When your away from family most of the year, being home over the summer is a great time to catch up on your all unties and uncles goings-on, plus they will love to see you!

http://gph.is/2c3UMT1

Why become a Student Landlord?

Letting to students can be an great option for a landlord. You can be sure of high demand and longer rental periods, resulting in high yields. However, when you rent to students, there are some specific considerations to be taken into account.

Benefits?

• Higher return on rental
• High demand in a competitive market
• You can get more rooms out of a property – many landlords transform lounge or dining rooms to additional bedrooms
• Property investment in itself can offer high capital gain when it comes to selling
• Looking to the future, being a student landlord can serve as a good pension investment as it will continue to provide an income

Any downsides?

Properties tend to suffer more wear and tear when let to students, and as a result you are likely to spend more on maintenance at the end of a tenancy than you would with a traditional let.

Is there any legislation to consider?

You will be letting to sharing occupants so you will need to comply with rules around Houses in Multiple Occupations (HMOs).  We can help you with these applications if need be or you can find all the information here.

What furnishing should I provide?

Student tenants will expect the property to be fully furnished. Here’s a tick list for landlords who want to let to students:

• Washing machine
• Fridge freezer with enough space for the number of tenants
• Cooker
• Curtains/blinds
• Beds
• Wardrobes
• Desk and chair for each room
• Seating area enough for the number tenants.

When do I market my property?

In our experience, letting season for Canterbury and Gillingham starts in November, with the eager students wanting to pick up the best houses that are closest to campus and have the most bathrooms! The high demand carries through into February with most houses let by this time.

How do I protect my income?

Always an important question to ask! Most student tenants do not have a regular income and rely on their student loan amount which they receive termly.  This is why our payment plan means their rental payments are due just a couple of days after they receive their funds and are taken termly. This helps them manage their finances so they can see how much money they have left after their bills come out.

We also require a guarantor for each student tenant going into the house. This is usually a parent or guardian, and they are then responsible for the rent if the tenant should fail to pay.

JG

At JG Student Lets, we specialise in dealing directly with student tenants only. We have been in the industry since 1985 when the boss saw a gap in the market for student housing provisions in Canterbury. Since then Canterbury has boomed into a thriving student city with demand now coming from three separate Universities.

Some of those Universities have now branched into Gillingham to capture another bracket of students closer to London. From our experience, demand in Gillingham is only growing with more students wanting to have a slice of University life and live away from home in a new town.

You can come to us to simply let your property or we also offer full packages to deal with every aspect of your let, including admin, maintenance, tenant interaction, and everything in between!

If you are interested in learning more about the terms and fees, give us a call/email and we will be happy to talk you through.

The dreaded question everyone starts asking. So what next?

Everyone is asking Whats Next, but your still caught up spending the last three or four years studying a degree and putting everything you have into hitting those marks and making those deadlines. Where has that time has gone?

With the end of exams and the final, ‘we did it’ parties (which seem to last a few weeks), and with graduation sneaking up on the horizon, you may only just be starting to think about what is indeed next.

For some, they know exactly what they are doing and have had something lined up for a while. Which is great, and for those mates who got it all figured out you should be happy for them!

With others, it’s a sudden realisation that their life as a student is fast approaching the final chapter and they really need a plan of action.

Alas, do not fear there’s still time to work out what is up next in the life of You.

Here’s a great article from Save the Graduate which has everything you need to know about moving beyond the realm of Student Life.

http://www.savethegraduate.org/grad-blog/life-after-university.html

Even if you have just finished your second year and you’re starting to think about what you want to do this time next year, this a great place to start. Making those enquires now means you can be the one who is that one step ahead for when the time comes!

Reading through this article it’s clear that there are so many options! Although it may seem daunting that you are standing at this crossroad with many a possible route to take. You just need to do your research. Write up a pro’s and con’s list if you’re stuck between a couple of options and just try things out! Just because you make one decision doesn’t mean that after trying it out you can’t go back to the drawing board and try something else. Nothing is forever and the world is yours!

If reading this has started to make you worry then read this article from the Guardian. Aptly named Six Reasons to Stop Panicking.

Point 6 is the one of the best to remember: You’re Not Alone.

Exam and deadline season is coming to an end and so is your tenancy! So its time to start thinking about packing up, moving on to your next house or back home for the summer.

Here are 10 things you may want to think about when your moving out

1. If your having a clear out before packing think whether you can be taking things to your local charity shop and/or getting things recycled.
2. Make sure you pack all your belongings. It may sound obvious but check if you have left things in the kitchen or lounge, or even your housemates room!
3. Clear all rubbish out – including that collection under your bed that has building since start of your tenancy!
4. Once you are all packed, check what was stated on your inventory so that everything is present and correct for the landlords check.
5.  Make sure you notify any companies you are no longer at the address. Especially if you signed up to any bank accounts or doctors with that address.
6. Have a clean! I know its not fun, but putting some bleach down the loo and wiping down some sides goes a long way.
7. Check what you need to do with your keys! We have provided you with padded envelopes to pop the keys back in the post to us. Make sure to write your name and room number only on the slip inside so we know it yours.
8. Check heating, hot water and any other appliances are switched off .
9. Make sure to close all windows in the house and lock the back and front doors.
10. Finally, taking all your belongings and rubbish with you, say goodbye to your student house! The memories made here will stay with you forever!

If you ever have any questions on what to do give us a call in the office, we always love hearing from our students. Best of luck in the rest of your Student Journey!