Guide to renting for students - Lease

Lease: Depending on where you are living landlords may expect a minimum lease length. This may be 12 months, 10 months or whatever the landlord asks for really. As the average student only spends 9 months at university you can often be paying for months when you will be at home. This of course means your student loan is being stretched even further but there isn’t much you can do about it.

Again, depending on where you are living, landlords may want you to move in straight away or they may be prepared to keep a property empty for a while until your term starts. This will usually depend on the market in the area you are living in. For example, as a London student, I can tell you that in London properties come on and off the market very quickly so the landlord can be very strict on what he wants because if you don’t take the place then someone else will tomorrow. I have recently rented a flat and had to pay for a month before I really need the place, but due to its excellent location I took it.

If you agree with your landlord that you only wish for a 9 month lease then they will most likely put in the contract that the lease can be terminated with 2 months notice after 7 months. Make sure you don’t forget about this after 7 months as the landlord will expect this notice and you will be paying for extra months if you don’t give it.

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