Student Accommodation

Student Accommodation in different countries.

General
Accomodation in the UK
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Accommodation in the USA
Accommodation in the RSA
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General: The following is a guide of how you could find accommodation in your host country. The guide is based on the assumption that your budget is low due to the unfavourable exchange rate in Zimbabwe. If you can afford any accommodation you want, you may still find some tips given here useful. We recommend all our members to read this page carefully and possibly act on the recommendations given

Types of accommodation:

Hotel	Expensive usual short term arrangement, This is not suitable for students. Hotels are the most secure accommodation
Bed and Breakfast/motel	You can have your own room or share a room. This is expensive usually, and is not suitable for students.
Youth hostels	Many students live in youth hostels. They have the advantage that the people you meet are roughly of the same age group as yourself and socialising is easier. The disadvantage if you are from Zimbabwe is that you pay a flat rate which include at least two meal per day. This tends to be higher than what you would pay if you were cooking for yourself.
Room in a Private house (present landlord)	You are given a room and the rules that govern the family that live in the house. You are limited on such things are visitors, use f telephone, noise, electricity, water, etc. If you can cope with this then you are advised to try this as it is usually cheap and secure. You are usually culturally different from your host but this is the quickest way to learn the life style of the host country.
Room in a Private house (absent landlord)	This involves sharing a house with people you do not know. You negotiate you own contract with the landlord. Usually you pay a deposit which you forfeit if you damage anything in your room or house. This can be cheap if you get a very small room, but you are usually on your own and security is low as other people in the house may not interact with you at all.
Private flat	Private flats are slightly more expensive than rooms in a house. They offer privacy. You are usually allowed to treat the flat as if it was your own house. You can have a telephone, furniture, etc, as long as you do not alter the fabric of the flat.
Room in a Private house (shared)	This is the cheapest option. You find three or so students from Zimbabwe, you get together and rent a full house between you. You then split the cost between you. The landlord is usually unconcerned unless you annoy the neighbours by making noise or allowing litter to accumulate. For students with limited funds at their disposal, this is the best option. You have to choose the area you want with care as some areas do not welcome students or black people. You do not want to be victimised for what you can not change.

If you are unsure, email us for confirmation of the validity this information and for further advice.

Student accommodation in the UK :

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Before you can stay in any type of private accommodation, you need to have a rent book. You can buy this from any newsagent in the UK. Ideally you need to have arranged accommodation before you arrive in the UK if you have a good idea where you will be studying. If you find you do not like the accommodation you have arranged in advance, the look for alternatives. The landlord will ask you to read and sign a contract which binds your stay in they house. In return you ask the landlord to sign your rent book each time you pay your rent. This protects you from forgetful landlords who may falsely accuse you of defaulting. The rent book also helps you to get considered for new accommodation as it is evidence that you are a reliable tenant.

Some people do not want to mix with other Zimbabweans when abroad. If you are this type of person, then you may be better off in a flat or room in a house. Flats tend to involve longer contracts and larger deposits.

After you have been in the UK for a week or so, you should have found at least twenty or so other Zimbabwean students. There are hundreds of them in the south but not so many in the north. Find out how they manage and ask for advice. Some of them may have spare accommodation which they will be happy to let you have as it lowers their costs.

You need a room for yourself. The room must have
A bed which is adequate for you purposes
A reading light (you normally have to provide this for yourself)
A reading desk or table adequate for you reading and assignments

You will share cooking facilities and other amenities.

If you are having trouble finding other Zimbabweans to share with, find other Africans. You are advised to look for students before you look for any other people. It is good to surround yourself with people with people who have the same objectives. For shared accommodation, you should expect to pay anything from £20-£40 per week (£40-£80 per week in London)

USA

Summary of Student entry in the USA

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RSA

Summary of Student entry in the RSA

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Email us some valid information for the country you are in. Thank you

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