Off campus accommodation styles

Some of the different types of off campus accommodation you might like to consider include privately renting a house or apartment, sharing with other students, or boarding with a local family.

Board

Board is offered by families or mature age adults who enjoy the company of students and who, by taking in a boarder, reduce their expenses such as insurance, utilities, rent.

Board has a number of combinations of different services provided. You need to enquire what is being offered: washing, ironing, all meals, or making your lunch, and what happens if you are late home for meals?

Board is normally the cheapest type of accommodation because you have: a furnished room; and electricity, gas, food and washing are usually included; ironing is a bonus.

Sharing a house or flat

Sharing usually means that you share a house or flat with other students or the owner. Each person has their own bedroom and shares the facilities, i.e. common bathroom, kitchen, laundry etc. Costs for utilities such as electricity and gas are shared.

Renting a house or flat

Real Estate Agents have listings of houses and flats to rent and are familiar with students making enquiries. Before you leave home, collect two or three character references (from school, work, or someone in the business community). These can assist in applying for rental accommodation as Real Estate Agents need to assure Landlords that property will be looked after.

There are very few single bedroom flats or bed-sitters in Albury/Wodonga, Bathurst or Wagga Wagga. Students intending to rent may need to already have someone to share with or be prepared to advertise a room or rooms to rent. The first cost to the lessee (student) is the preparation costs of a tenancy agreement. The bond is approximately 4 weeks rent for unfurnished and 6 weeks for furnished plus 2 weeks rent in advance.

Connection Fees for Gas and Electricity vary depending on the provider. Some providers allow you to pay this fee with your first account. Enquire if the provider will waver the fee if you set up direct debit on your account. Contact Country Energy on 13 2356, or your Gas provider for more information.

Usually the water access charges are paid by the Landlord, but the tenant pays for the water. The amount varies depending on many factors, including garden water usage, number of people sharing the house or flat. Contact your local water provider for more information.

There is a fee for connecting the telephone. Contact Telstra for more details on 13 2200

Renting a farmhouse

The same criteria apply to renting a farmhouse as renting a house or flat. The advantages are you may be able to keep a horse or pet and the environment would be quieter. The disadvantages are you may be further from the Uni and shopping facilities. Living out of town may save on rent, but transport and fuel costs will probably be more expensive.

Where to go next:

• Living off campus: Checklist
• Hints on saving money when leaving rental accommodation
• Costs involved in renting off campus accommodation