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Many universities offer on-campus housing for international students. It is safe, secure, and convenient in many ways. However, some universities do not have residences, and in several countries, this type of accommodation is not common in principle. For example, unlike in the United States and England, campus culture is underdeveloped in Australia, and most students rent their housing. Residence hall accommodation may also not be available if the student has applied too late. By the way, this is a great reason to submit them as early as possible.

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How do I find my own accommodation in a foreign country? How not to make a mistake and make the right choice? Here are 15 questions you'll need to answer when looking for housing abroad.

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And we're getting started.

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Who do I want to live with?

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Most students choose to live with other international or local students. There are pros and cons to both. While you will have a lot in common with other international students, especially your compatriots, living with local students gives you a better understanding of the language and culture of the country.

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You can learn more about the representatives of a particular nation from social networks. It can help you decide if you want to live under the same roof as them. Talking to them online will help you understand if you will be comfortable living and studying with them. They don't have to be your potential roommates, but it will be easier to decide who you want to live with once you get a general idea.

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Do I want to live with a local family?

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A homestay is an option that involves staying in the home of a local family as a guest. This option involves paying a monthly room rate and individually negotiating meals and household chores. Usually, the homestay family and the student talk about the details beforehand to determine if living together is a good idea for both parties.

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If you live with a local family, you must respect their rules and agree to abide by them. Keep in mind that there may be small children or pets in the family. If you do not want to live with other students, a host family is a great option. It also gives you a unique opportunity to experience the culture and traditions of a new country. Many parents also choose to have their children live with local families abroad.

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How will I get to campus?

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If you plan to walk or bike to school every day, choose to house close to campus. Use Google Maps to ensure good biking or walking routes from your housing to campus. If you are planning to take public transportation, find out about bus, streetcar, and subway stops and streets ahead of time.

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Have I contacted a University Center for International Students?

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University Center for International Students often deals with student housing issues and liaises with real estate agents and landlords. They may also know alumni who have recently moved out of affordable rental housing.

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It is helpful to contact one or two representatives from the university and the Student Housing Center if there is one. Many institutions also post information about affordable off-campus housing on their websites. These listings usually come from trusted landlords and agencies with which the university has a history of working.

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Are any properties vacant?

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It's not unreasonable to join the university's social media groups, such as Facebook and Google Plus. In the group, you can post an announcement about looking for accommodation and read the reports of other students. Perhaps some of them are about to vacate suitable housing soon and are looking for another student to take their place?

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Where will I live during the housing search?

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If you can't find a place to live before moving, you'll have to live somewhere until you find a permanent place temporarily. Don't worry. Just be prepared to spend weeks to months looking at housing and dealing with paperwork. Just book an inexpensive hostel or hotel and aim to find permanent housing as soon as possible. Sometimes it's better and more reliable to choose your place after you move in than to do it in absentia while still in your home country because you can see the property and the area with your own eyes before you sign the lease.

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Am I being careful enough?

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When it comes to a foreign country and a foreign language, it is worth protecting yourself as much as possible. During the rental process, you will be communicating with landlords and agencies, signing documents, etc. It is important not to run into scammers. Be careful and learn in advance from the Internet about the ways of fraud in this country used in real estate transactions.

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Do I trust this site?

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As you browse the website of a real estate agency that offers housing for students, think about whether the agency is credible to you. Does the website look severe and convincing enough? Does it have genuine customer reviews? Does the agency cooperate with universities and colleges? It is also worth looking online for independent assessments of the agency.

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Who am I communicating with?

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When corresponding with a representative, make sure he/she is who he/she says he/she is. Realtor employees usually correspond from official company email addresses, and you will find official contacts and other information in their emails. On the contrary, if a real estate agent will correspond with you from an email address on a public server such as Gmail, it should alert you. You can also check the agents' social media pages you communicate with.

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How much does the agency need my money?

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Pay attention to the agent's language and expressions when communicating with you. Is he simply telling you the cost of services or pushing you to pay as soon as possible? Is the agency putting any pressure on you? Remember, you don't have to pay an agent you've never seen. Some countries have tenant and landlord protection programs. For example, there is a Deposit Protection Scheme in the UK that allows you to pay in full only if both parties are satisfied.

Have I seen the property?

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We do not recommend that you sign any documents or make any money transfers before seeing the property with your own eyes. Never rely on the description and photos of the property on the Internet. They may not correspond to reality. Any self-respecting agency will allow you to see the property in person before you sign the contract.

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If you want to get a better idea of the property beforehand, ask the agent to send you more photos and more detailed information that might interest you. You can also use Google Maps to get an idea of the property's area, nearby transit stops, and shopping.

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Have I looked at enough places?

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Don't rent the first place you see for fear that you won't find anything better or that it will take too long to find it again. Be calm and try to schedule as many property viewings as possible (preferably in different neighborhoods) over several days to get a wide range of choices in a short period and to make an informed decision.

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Do I know exactly how much I will pay?

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Many students make the severe mistake of signing a contract and not understanding exactly how much they will be paying. It can lead to unpleasant surprises when you receive your first bills for payment. To better understand all the points in the contract, send a copy to someone knowledgeable and fluent in the language or your relatives (especially if they will be paying the rent on the property).

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What is a meter reading?

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Before you move into the property:

Take gas, electricity, and water meter readings and send them to the appropriate companies.

Do the same when you move out.

Take pictures of the tasks before you send them in to prove they are accurate if necessary.

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Are any things damaged? Will I have to pay?

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Are there all the things that should be in the home when you move in? It can refer to furniture, decor, household items, and electronics. If something is missing, it reduces the home's value, and you can ask for a reduction of the missing items. When you move in, make a list of all the damage you have and send it to your landlord to avoid being accused of damaging his property.

We hope you'll choose an excellent apartment to live in, using our piece of advice! Good luck!

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