Some observant students may have noticed on some school websites that students need to book their own accommodation 6-8 weeks in advance 🏠, and at the latest, one and a half months in advance. So, do you really need to rent in advance? Let's consider the following three points:
1️⃣ Price
Students with rental experience all know that the closer it gets to the start of the school year, the more expensive the rent becomes. In the month or two before the start of school, the rent for some apartments may change weekly, and the prices during the period before school starts are ridiculously high. Most apartments in the UK are booked in November or December of the previous year for September 🏠.
2️⃣ Availability
Some popular apartments are often booked up as soon as they open for reservations. Places like the White Rose in Leeds are always the first to be fully booked. If you have a preferred apartment, it's best to book in advance to avoid paying a high price in the end and ending up in a place you don't really like.
3️⃣ Cancellation Policy
Most apartments have a cooling-off period of 24 hours to seven days after booking, during which you can cancel without giving a reason, and you'll receive a refund 💰. If your offer is rejected or your visa is denied, you can cancel the booking and get a refund. If you don't meet the conditions for cancellation, you'll need to find someone to take over the contract. Make sure to clarify the cancellation policy with each apartment for specific details.