Flying the nest can be stressful. For many, university is the first experience of fending for themselves and this can often involve residing in a hovel. So why do it?

Lucy Gornall, from Bromham, is in her second year at Nottingham Trent University and is on hand to offer to some practical pointers on student housing.

Home comforts. They're just so hard to live without.

Mum's cooking. A comfy bed. A TV that works. A clean bathroom... wait... let me take that back... clean EVERYTHING.

 

The comforts of home are something which most students have to sacrifice when heading off to university, which is why searching for that perfect student home is undoubtedly one of the most important things you'll have to do. Along, of course, with hours of revision and work.

As a student myself, I know all about the tediously long search in finding that perfect dwelling. Somewhere you can call home for eight months of the year.

My chosen few flatmates and I spent weeks trawling through accommodation brochures and visiting various flats and houses before we settled on a newly renovated, five bedroom house above a Polish food store in the centre of Nottingham. It was like a massive weight being lifted off my shoulders.

I know I'm not alone when I say that the whole process was in fact one of the most stressful things I've ever had to do.

What if all the good houses are taken? What if the best places are too expensive? What if I've chosen the wrong people to live with?

To stop other students from losing sleep, I've compiled six tips which are essential when house hunting.

1: CHOOSE YOUR FLATMATES CAREFULLY:

OK, so you've arrived at uni where all you want to do is let your hair down and go wild in freshers' week. Within hours you have definitely met THE funniest people and you just know straight away that you've found the people you're 100 per cent going to live with next year.

Yes, so having a flatmate whose vodka supply never decreases or a roomie whose brains could compete with Einstein is always a bonus. But what about when it's the morning after the night before and you're the only one willing to clear up the aftermath? What about when the kitchen hob is no longer silver... instead it's a dirty shade of brown?!

The key thing is getting to know people before deciding to live with them.

Having similar ideas of cleanliness is crucial. You don't want to be the only one running around, clearing up everyone's mess.

One of the most important bonds you must have with your friends is trust. If you can't trust them, don't live with them. You're going to be sharing a lot of the same space and, as I've had the misfortune to experience, it's not nice when someone steals your last potato waffle which you'd saved especially for that, 'coming in at 3am' treat.

Rent payment is also important. Most letting agencies now require post-dated cheques in advance but if this isn't the case, it's vital that you and your flatmates are clear on exactly when each payment is due. Being evicted doesn't really sound like fun!

2: THE GREAT OUTDOORS:

If the thought of sitting out in the sun with friends, sipping on a drink (or two!) gets you all excited, then don't choose a house which allows you no access to an open space. It doesn't necessarily have to be a garden. You could try living near a park instead.

Although a park may seem like the cheaper, 'less work' required option, gardens are a great place to hang out washing and save having soggy clothes clogging up the kitchen. They also provide a great alternative to partying indoors. No dirty carpets, no smashed glasses and no-one thinking it's hilarious to ransack your bedroom. (Having tolerant neighbours is also a great help).

3:SAFETY FIRST:

Safety is key and should be one of the main points you consider. Being a student in Nottingham has made me very aware of the dangers of city life. Make sure all windows in the house are secure and that fire AND burglar alarms have been installed. If living in a block of flats is your preferred choice then make sure the front door is coded and don't tell anyone the code! Student houses will always have individually locked rooms. Take advantage of this and lock your door. A friend of mine recently had his laptop stolen while he was in the house! The robber crawled in through an open window. You never think it will happen to you but you just never know.

4: UNDERFOOT:

Cream carpets may be OK at home, when mum's around to clean up after you but what about when the art student in your flat decides to work on the floor, staining it in the process. Or what about when your wine drinking friend has a few too many vinos and ends up spilling the remainder of her glass on the floor?!

Yes, it really is not a good idea to live in a house of light carpets. This year, I chose to live in a house with wooden flooring in the kitchen and lounge area and dark carpets in the bedrooms. The wood is easy to clean and means we will almost certainly (fingers crossed) be reimbursed with our full deposits! It's a lot more fun being able to relax when you've got friends over, rather than constantly having to keep an eye out on that glass of something or other, which is precariously balanced on the edge of the table.

5: BILLS BILLS BILLS:

When choosing your new house, you may be given the option of having bills included (at an extra cost added on top of the weekly rent). It will almost ALWAYS be worthwhile choosing this because, let's be honest, although we should, not many of us can be bothered to turn the heating off at night, and turn the lights off every time we leave a room. Generally, for students especially, it works out cheaper. Plus, think how great it will be not having to worry about bills when England gets its next bout of snow and ice.

6: NEIGHBOURS:

Neighbours... should be there for one another... that's when good neighbours become good friends, la la la.

Your neighbours might not become your good friends, but the Aussie soap does have a point when saying that they should be there for one another.

Normally you'll be living next door to other students but if not it might be a good idea to just pop over and introduce yourself BEFORE you sign on the dotted line.

The saying of 'don't judge a book by it's cover' comes into play here as I learnt in my second year. Our neighbours were... erm, well, people you wouldn't want to meet down a dark alley. Think piercings, tattoos and drugs. As it turned out they couldn't have been nicer people though and i feel pretty safe having them next door!

So there it is, a few handy hints to help you on your way. If you're really struggling there are always people around who are willing to help. Searching for accommodation doesn't need to feel like the nightmares you've woken up to in the middle of the night. Enjoy it! And, when you've found your dream dig, get to work on planning THE party of all parties!

Happy hunting!