You got a place what happens now?

Good you got in. Step 1 complete.

1. Contact the university if they haven't now informed you of your accommodation - ensure you have accommodation arranged. Most first year students will get a place in halls of residence. You may already have seen them.

2. Some students, (or their parents), opt to go full board so they can at least eat during the year, food varies but in general seems to be reasonable to good café fare but not high end restaurant standards.

3. Some go accommodation only and have the use of a shared kitchen. Unless your a keen cook (not a bad skill to pick up) you're in for a surprise, Few students can or will cook, even fewer will wash up of clean, just not a habit they have got into, so the kitchen will quickly get to be a MESS.

4. The old saying "Your mother doesn't work here so TIDY IT UP YOURSELF" is a good one to remember BUT don't become a servant to other lazy students who WILL take advantage.

5. Many students find that after a couple of month when they make friends they look for accommodation off campus. Leaving behind the comfort of the halls but also the noise and often childish behaviour that seems to be endemic in these places.

6. Moving into private accommodation is OK BUT it is going to COST, ensure you understand what is involved, and ensure you can afford it BEFORE you sign on the dotted line. Talking to parents or relatives can help here - use their experience but it will still be your decision in the end.

7. When you move into the shared house take photographs of the condition - especially things that are broken or wrong. Photograph the kitchen and equipment, cutlery and crockery.

When you leave your landlord is almost certain to argue that they will keep the deposit because something is wrong, broken, missing etc. IF you have photographs that show the condition when you arrived then you just may have a bargaining position.

This ploy by landlords is very common and makes them a fortune. Students are leaving and moving on and few are prepared to argue.

HOWEVER if you do leave a mess or break the place up you may expect to loose the deposit!