Your child is hoping to find great student accommodations in Perth while studying abroad in Australia. You are excited about the new school year in this new country, but you also want to make sure your kid doesn’t hit any snags.
This is only possible with proper planning and knowledge, which is what you’ll get here. Here are the things you need to know about student accommodation.
1. Know the Options
The first thing you want to do is learn all the options regarding accommodations. Many don’t think beyond what the university is offering. There are definitely a few perks of staying in the dorms since students get to meet new people, but these are sometimes uncomfortable since they are a little small.
There are other options, like a private residence. Your child can stay in communal rentals, or he or she can rent a private home. The possibilities are endless, so make sure you explore until you find accommodations that match your student’s needs.
2. Figure out the Budget
One of the most important things to know about student accommodation is the cost. Consider your child’s budget. Find out if he or she is expected to pay by the week or by the month and how much this is going to be.
Ask if the rent is going to include additional fees, which are sometimes only mentioned in the contract, so make sure your child reads that before deciding to rent any of the places.
Try to estimate how much money your child will have each month, and make sure the accommodations will not cost more than 30 percent of your student’s monthly earnings or allowance.
Thirty percent is relatively standard and helps ensure your child can still eat and put money aside. Perth has a lot to offer, like great eateries and attractions, and it would be a shame if your kid missed any of this because of money.
3. Look at Contract Lengths
Another vital thing to know about student housing in Perth is how long you are expected to stay in one particular place. Your student is probably doing a lot of research to find a nice place, but that doesn’t mean he or she won’t find a neighborhood more desirable once in Perth.
This city has a lot to offer, so your child does not sign a lease that is too long. A year could work though there are shorter leases, like a lease lasting three or six months.
Find out which options are available, and have your student choose one. You know breaking a lease looks bad on a rental record and can sometimes incur an early contract termination fee.
4. Additional Expenses that come along
Be sure your student understands what the accommodation covers and what will have to be paid for separately. If your child really wants to get the most out of Perth and visit places like the Swan Valley wineries or the Perth Zoo, then he or she has to keep an eye on these additional expenses.
If the student accommodations don’t come with an in-house gym, remind your kid about this monthly expense. You want to find out if the accommodations offer things like free WiFi, free storage, access to parking, or free printing.
Have your students make a list of all amenities offered by each potential accommodation being considered to figure out which ones are most important.
5. Living Situation in the Accommodations
The next thing to know about student accommodation is comfortability. Your kid should consider how a potential place is going to make life easier. Some student housing offers great opportunities to meet others, such as access to a community pool or community theater.
Some potential accommodations might be near places of interest, such as shopping centers or grocery stores, which should make life much simpler. It may also be a good idea to ask the staff and folks who live there about the noise level.
A few student accommodations can be a little noisy, so it is good to ask because your child will need a little peace.
Now, you have a good guide to help you remember the most important things about your child’s accommodations. Knowing these things should improve your student’s chance of staying in a place that works.
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