If you havenÔÇÖt been swept in by the mythical rush to get a house before Christmas, then perhaps youÔÇÖve started to feel the pressure to get one now. It is a good time to start looking ÔÇô a lot of letting agents have added many houses to their lists in January, so there are plenty of options. Perhaps youÔÇÖre desperate to get out of your current house due to a long list of typical student-house problems, so here is a run-down of everything you need to know and some advice on solving housing problems.
Picking Housemates 
Having a nice house is one thing, but the people that fill it will make all the difference. In first year you find yourself flung together with a random group of people and you all seem to get along splendidly ÔÇô but cracks start to show as time goes on. YouÔÇÖre never going to find the perfect housemates, or be a perfect housemate, but you need to be honest with yourself on who you can actually stand to live with. If youÔÇÖre extremely tidy then choose those who are alike in that way, and if mess doesnÔÇÖt bother you then itÔÇÖs best to avoid the inevitable arguments and not live with the neat freaks. Always think ahead ÔÇô perhaps next year you donÔÇÖt want to go out all the time or donÔÇÖt want another year of your housemateÔÇÖs partner practically living at your house, so definitely be fussy about who you agree to live with. The other thing to think about is the number of people you want to live with. Living in a house with just two of you sounds relaxed and easy, but it does work out more expensive. Most two-bed houses charge full rent during the summer as they are usually rented to professionals who would be there, and the bills are only split between two. Large houses mean that inevitably there are going to be diverse living habits, some may go out a lot more than you do and cause you to miss your 9am lectures for lack of sleep, there are more people to make a mess or steal your food and there are more chances of waiting for the bathroom. However when renting large houses the rent can often include all bills which means no arguments about turning the heating on, or discouraging people from having a bath. If theyÔÇÖre not included, splitting bills between 6 or more people will make everything a bit cheaper. So its important to pick the right people, and the right number, that suits you.
House Hunting
The winter months are a good time to find a house because the condition of a house is most tested during the cold. Mould and condensation problems, heating problems and leaking issues will all show themselves around this time of year. When looking around a house, make sure you are really inspecting everything. Around windows or in bathrooms are the key places to find mould and condensation, and a lack of a tumble-dryer or ventilation will only add to the problem. A lot of big houses have basement conversions that look great, but in reality they can be poorly ventilated or easily flooded by rain, which we happen to get a lot of in Cardiff. DonÔÇÖt be afraid to snoop around ÔÇôcheck that the bedroom doors have locks, test the power of the shower, see how much space the fridge and freezer really offer. The best way to get a true representation of the house is by asking the current tenants what its like and if there are any problems. If your keen on a particular house book a revisit, especially if the tenants arenÔÇÖt in the first time, so you get the opportunity to ask them what itÔÇÖs like to live in. Ask about the landlord, find out if theyÔÇÖre problems have been solved ÔÇô you will also get an idea on the reliability of the letting agents. It is also important to consider the bedroom sizes. Some can vary in size quite a lot, so it is best to discuss who would have what bedroom before signing for a house, and perhaps arranging a staggered rent for those with the smallest and biggest rooms. If you just canÔÇÖt agree then keep looking, you will be able to find a house that has similar room sizes that wonÔÇÖt cause disagreements. Finding the perfect house will be difficult, and if there are just a few problems or amendments you want made to a house it is worth asking the letting agents if these can be written into your contract to be done before your arrival. This means that the landlord will have to add those locks, or treat the mould, before you move in, and this will be part of your contract agreement.
Current Housing Problems
One of the most common problems for student houses is the complaint of mould. Condensation can be the reason for mould building up on your walls, and will appear black. Condensation is caused when water vapour in the air lands on cold surfaces and condenses to form dampness or water droplets, so is most likely to be found on windows or external walls. As a tenant it is your responsibility to try and prevent this in your house and there are a few easy ways to do this. Having the heating on for a few hours everyday during the winter will warm up the cold surfaces so reduce the condensation forming, so it is important to turn it on. When condensation forms on your windows, use an old towel to wipe it away ÔÇô this will reduce the amount of vapour in the air. Dry your clothes in the tumble dryer as often as you can. If you have to use a clotheshorse or radiator, leave your window open while it is drying or turn on a dehumidifier to take the moisture out of the room. Some rooms are fitted with a small vent, which should also always be left open. Even during the winter months try and open your windows for some time every day, this will allow the water vapour in the air to escape and reduce the amount that lands on cold surfaces. If water vapour repeatedly lands on the same cold surfaces it will start to produce black mould. Think about the things that produce water vapour ÔÇô having a shower or bath, drying your hair, cooking or boiling a kettle will all add to it. So during each of this work out a way to ventilate the rooms they happen in. Open the window after your shower or bath and while drying your hair, keep pots covered with a lid and open the window while you are cooking. These will all allow the warm water vapour air to escape and stop it from landing on cold surfaces and condensing.
Housing Safety
The police have reported an increase in the amount of student burglaries, so although defence strategies have already been outlined in previous issues of Gair Rhydd, it is worth including advice directly from the police. Insecure doors and windows are the most likely way a burglar will gain access to your property, so they advise that you close all your curtains and leave a light on when you go out in the evening, and ensure that you have properly locked everything before leaving.
They are also holding a large property-marking event on Friday 29th January in the Cardiff University Main Building in the VJ Gallery from 10am-3pm. It is a free property-marking event for all your valuables, so bring your phones, laptops, tablets and pedal cycles, or anything else of value. Dr. Bike will be in attendance from 11am-3pm to provide free bike maintenance. Visit their website at www.cardiffnightline.wix.com/cardiff-nightline
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