House share vs halls

Deciding where to live while at university is big decision. If this will be the first time you’ve lived away from home then you may be wondering what to expect.

Having provided accommodation for students in Chester for over 30 years, we know a thing a two about what they look for and where they prefer to live. Let’s start with what a house share is and how it differs from university halls of residence:

What is a student house share?

A student house share is one in which a flat or house is leased by a group of sharers under a joint tenancy arrangement (AST). Every person who rents is responsible for paying the rent and keeping to the terms of the agreement.

What are university halls?

Halls are provided by the university and usually consist of a large block of flats housing multiple students from the same university, with individual furnished bedrooms organised around corridors or apartments with a shared kitchen.

Student house share versus university halls – which is best for me?

Most students opt for university halls of residence in their first year. This makes sense particularly if you are moving to a new area and you don’t know anyone as halls are usually a good place to meet people. Moving in to halls in your first year can be a great way to start student life and most universities give preference for places in halls to their first year students.

University halls usually offer good value for money and a safe environment with on-site security. They also tend to offer good locations either right on campus or on good public transport routes. Gas, electric and water will be included so you will know what your living costs are and there shouldn’t be any unexpected bills. This can be an advantage particularly if you aren’t used to budgeting for bills. Some halls are catered and others offer self-catering, which is best is a matter of personal choice.

In addition to university owned/managed halls of residences it is increasingly common to find private halls of residences on offer too. These are often modern, new developments and as the market is competitive they can offer really good facilities such as gyms, stylish modern communal areas and games rooms. However they can be expensive so look at how the prices compare before you set your heart on somewhere because of the state of the art gym or the cinema room!

Halls can be brilliant but they can also have their downsides. It is unusual to have a large bedroom in halls so if space matters to you then halls might not be the best option. Shared kitchen and bathroom facilities are the norm in halls but this puts some people off and the other drawback is you don’t have any say in who you live with.

A house share offers an all together different living experience and most students prefer to move out of halls after their first year.

The main advantages of a house share over halls are choice, flexibility and independence. You can choose who you live with and where. You get to view the properties and pick a house that works for you. Bedrooms are usually much bigger and the quality of student houses available in a city like Chester is excellent.

When looking for a house share you can decide on the priorities, it might be space or location. You might agree with your housemates that a dishwasher is a necessity or maybe you want a kitchen that is big enough for everyone to cook and socialise in. Some Landlords offer bills included and others don’t so it is worth considering which approach you would prefer.

The cost of a student house share

The cost of a student house share will depend on the quality of the property you choose and it’s location and how many people you are sharing with. Typically, the more people you share with, the cheaper it is and don’t forget you will be sharing the cost of bills so the more students sharing, the less you pay as an individual.

Social life

Halls of residence provide a good introduction to student life and you get to mix with a wide range of students from the same university. Everyone is in the same boat and wants to make new friends, so it’s a great way to start off your university life in Chester. There’s usually a good social scene at the halls of residence, and some have a student bar. However, most people prefer to visit the bars and nightlife within Chester city centre at the weekends.

After a year in halls most students feel they have acclimatised to their new life as a university student, made new fiends and are ready for the move to a student flat where they will have greater independence. A student house share offers a great social life altogether, and you have more independence with no curfew times. Generally there is more space in the lounge and kitchen and you may even want to have your friends over for dinner in a more relaxed atmosphere.

If you are looking for a student house share. We have a great choice of student properties and can help you find the perfect student house for you.