Things To Look For In Your Student Housing Abroad

Things To Look For In Your Student Housing Abroad

Taking part in study abroad programs can increase your prospects with future employers. According to The Institute for the International Education of Students (IES Abroad), an impressive 90% of students who take part in international programs are employed within six months of graduating. Only 49% of those who do not study abroad find employment just as quickly.

If it has been your dream to study abroad one day, is it still possible with the coronavirus ravaging its way across the globe? The answer is complicated, but — in short — yes. Countries are slowly reopening their borders to international students. Canada, France, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore are welcoming students who wish to study abroad. The exact requirements for travel and admission vary by country. Those who enter Canada must quarantine for 14 days, for example. If you are entering France from a high-risk country, you must present a clean travel record and a declaration that you are COVID-19 free, Study International reports.

Plus, keep in mind that these restrictions are only temporary. With the rollout of the coronavirus vaccine, more and more countries are likely to loosen restrictions as people continue getting the vaccine.

Don’t cancel your study abroad plans just yet. Many countries are reopening, and Dr. Anthony Fauci predicts things will return to normal by Fall 2021 as long as most Americans get the vaccine.

Keep your plans, and do your research to ensure that you have the best possible experience. One of the first steps is finding reliable student housing abroad. Ask these questions to find quality accommodations.

Is It Easy To Get In Touch With The Landlord?

If you are living abroad, open communication with the professionals around you should be one of your top priorities — and that includes your landlord. Experiences with your landlord can make your break your experience in student housing abroad. “A majority of unpleasant issues faced by landlords and tenants seem to sprout from the soil of communication breakdown,” The Seattle Times writes. Avoid issues by keeping an eye out for hallmarks of effective landlord-tenant communication. Here are some of the most important:

  • A landlord that wants to hear from you and actively encourages it. Exceptional property management doesn’t just benefit tenants. Keeping up on repairs, maintenance, and other essential tasks makes life easier for responsible landlords, too. Take note whether your landlord provides any additional paperwork during the application or lease-signing process. Receiving written “permission to enter” or repair forms indicates that the landlord responds to and documents requests promptly.
  • You should know the best way to get in touch with your landlord, and you should feel comfortable reaching out to them. Is the best way to reach your landlord over-the-phone, by email, or by stopping by the rental office in-person? Know the answer to that question, and rent only from landlords you feel comfortable talking to. If you do not feel comfortable talking to your landlord about a late payment or missed payment or any other issue that might come up, chances are they are not the best fit.
  • A lengthy, detailed lease. It may not seem like a lot of fun to thumb through pages and pages of a lease, but — more often than not — a detailed lease is a good thing. As a tenant, you do not want the terms of the lease to be unclear. If anything may result in the termination of the lease, additional fees, or any other extenuating circumstances, it is best to know and understand these terms.
    If there is something important that is not included in the lease, ask questions. Once again, your landlord should answer your questions openly, honestly, and to your complete satisfaction.

The experience of renting student housing abroad largely depends on your landlord. Ask questions, do your research, and find the landlord that is the best fit for you.

student housing abroad

What Happens To Trash? Recyclables?

Local waste removal can vary a great deal. What will happen to any waste in student housing abroad? What about your recycling?

You should be able to find this information in your lease and/or in your new resident paperwork. Depending on where you rent, you may be responsible for purchasing a trash can, recycling bin, and paying for waste removal. Other locations may provide bins, but expect you to cover removal costs. Still, others may provide a trash compactor and/or community dumpsters free of charge, but you will be responsible for getting your trash to the appropriate location.

Adjust your plans for garage disposal and recycling accordingly. For example, if you share dumpsters or a trash compactor with your fellow residents, chances are you may not be able to make it out to the dumpster every night. While it is commonplace to keep trash in the garage or at the curb when circumstances allow it, you may not have that luxury with the shared trash compactor. If that is the case, plan ahead and decide what you will do instead. Toss perishables, like foods, down the garbage disposal when possible. If you have a baby or pet, consider investing in a litter genie, diaper genie, or sealed, airtight trash cans to keep odors to a minimum.

Likewise, if your apartment, rental, or student housing abroad does not personally recycle, find the nearest community recycling center in the area. Rinse soda cans, beer cans, and food cans to prevent smells and to keep bugs out of the house.

Finally, find out what items require special pickup. Depending on your area, the local trash pickup company may or may not pick up chemicals, pesticides, batteries, medical waste, and needles. Ask your landlord for more information. Large, bulky items, like appliances and furniture, can generally be left at the curb, but it is always best to review policies just in case.

Is The Plumbing Up To Snuff?

Assessing the plumbing in any rental at a glance can be challenging. It can be especially challenging when searching for student housing abroad. If you have the opportunity to tour student housing before making a final decision, make the most of it. Do these things during the tour to get a true feel for the housing’s plumbing system:

  • Look under the sinks. Remember, this is your time to get the full picture of your student housing abroad. Don’t be shy. Open up cabinets and look under sinks. Look for any signs of leaks, mold, or mildew. If you see mold or water damage, chances are there is an active leak.
  • Take a close look at the toilet. Look around the bottom of the toilet. Even small leaks will cause damage over time and start leaving wear and tear around the toilet. Make sure the toilet isn’t loose as well. A loose toilet indicates leaks and plumbing problems.
  • Fill up the sinks and wait for them to drain. This can help you identify a few key problems. First, a slow draining sink may be a sign of a clog or inefficient plumbing. It may also be connected to leaks.
  • Run the hot water. Make sure the hot water works. Leave the tap on for a few moments, and make sure the water heater kicks in, filling the sink or shower with appropriately hot water. If the hot water does not come on, find out if there is a reasonable explanation. For example, for a gas water heater to work, the gas must be turned on. That may not be the case in between tenants.
student housing abroad

Will The Heating And Cooling System Keep You Comfortable?

Turn on AC units. Try out the heat. Everything should be in working order, it should work without leaking or making excessive noise. Ask your landlord or property management company about air conditioning and heating maintenance. How often do they change the filters? When was the last time they inspected the unit?

Find out if your rental has central heating and cooling, or if you will rely on a separate, window unit and space heaters. If you have central HVAC, some rentals may have a programmable thermostat to help you keep your energy bills low. If you must rely on space heaters, make sure there are adequate smoke detectors with working batteries inside the apartment.

What Kind Of Condition Is The Roof In?

One of the most important things to look out for when it comes to student housing abroad is the condition of the roof. To assess whether student housing aboard is in good condition, in need of some roof repairs, or in dire need of attention, keep an eye out for the following:

  • Does the roof look stable? “Step back far enough from the house that you can see the entire roof, and look for sagging or uneven slopes. Uneven areas will be further inspected from inside the attic,” SF Gate writes.
  • Look closely at the ceiling. If the ceilings show any sign of water damage, that is a huge red flag. Address water spots immediately, and find out whether their source is an active or patched up leak.
  • Base your assessment on the type of roofing. To get a true indication of a roof’s condition, note the type of roof. A traditional, asphalt shingle roof may need repair or replacing if shingles are stripped, missing, or tearing away from the rooftop. Metal roofing, on the other hand, may need attention if it is rusting or if the metal is turning an unusually dark color.
student housing abroad

Are There Nearby Amenities?

Another way to assess student housing abroad is to take a close look at its amenities. Some amenities may be free or low-cost. For example, keep an eye out for apartments or rentals with a gym, swimming pool, playground, business center, media rooms, and/or communal grilling areas.

It is wise to look for amenities in the surrounding area as well. For example, if possible, find student housing abroad with nearby laundry services, grocery stores, transportation services, and a nearby doctor, hospital, and/or urgent care center. If you own a dog or a cat, make sure there are quality animal hospitals nearby.

What Issues Have Residents Faced In The Past?

If at all possible, talk to a current or past resident in confidence. Ask what issues they faced while in their apartment or rental. Ask if they experienced any issues with pests, like ants, rodents, or bed bugs. If pests were an issue, find out how the landlord responded — and if it was to the tenant’s satisfaction. Ask if they needed to submit any repair requests and what happened during the aftermath. Did the landlord respond promptly? Was the repair effective?

It is also important to ask about safety, walkability, transportation, and their experience with the landlord. If you like, you can also ask them what features they liked most to get an idea of what perks may be found in your student housing abroad.

student housing abroad

What Are The Perks Of Your Chosen Rental?

Speaking of perks, don’t just ask prior tenants what to expect. Do your own research — whether that means looking online or talking to your landlord. Depending on the rental in question, you may enjoy periodic house cleaning paid for by your landlord or property management company. Your rental may be located near a shipping company that may enable you to ship larger items, like pianos, to use while you study abroad.

Landlords may also paint from time to time, or even install brand new appliances to keep their apartments looking like new. Often, you can find the perks of student housing abroad on the company website. The perks help bring in new renters, and landlords want you to know about them.

Studying abroad is an investment. True, it is an investment in your future, education, and cultural understanding, but it is also a monetary investment, typically to the tune of at least $14,295 a semester, according to GoAbroad.com. Make the most of your experience. Make sure your living accommodations are satisfactory and comfortable. Review the list of questions above, and do your research before studying abroad.

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