House Hunting

Q: What help can I get in finding the right accommodation?

A: The answers to these questions and others about services available and the state of the accommodation market will depend on where you’re studying. Click here for local details. But there are some things which always apply, wherever you’re looking to rent.

Students with dependants should see the family housing page for additional information specifically for those looking to share accommodation with their partner, spouse or children.

Unipol also offer a number of mixing days, normally between February and September, for students who would like to meet other students to form a group. Specific events are available for students already in Leeds and new to Leeds students who will be taking up postgraduate study and undergraduate students attending the Leeds College of Art and the Northern School of Contemporary Dance.

Q: How do I know what properties are available?

A: If you’re a returning student you may find yourself in the lucky position of not having to look very far: a significant number of properties are let by word of mouth and never reach any advertisement boards. They are let to students who stay in them for more than one year who then pass them on to friends (or friends of friends). This happens generally because they are good properties and well priced. If friends or acquaintances are due to leave their house and you like the look of it, don't be afraid to follow this up with them.

Q: How do I search for properties online?

A: The Searches are on the left of the screen – you can choose from a predefined search or choose a quick or advanced search.

Predefined Searches

Allow you to quickly get a list of the types of vacancies shown. The buttons on offer change throughout the year to provide users with some of the most common types of properties people are looking for.

Quick Search

Allows you to enter a street name or an advertisement reference number (which you would get from a previous search on the computer or from the paper adverts). This screen also shows information on availability, rent levels as well as house hunting tips.

The street name option is quite a 'rough and ready' option for finding any vacancies in a street - remember this could be in quite a range of different types of properties and lets - if you have more specific requirements you can enter the street name in the personalised search (see below).

Advanced Search - Getting Exactly What you Want

By using the 'Advanced Search' option, you have complete flexibility over the features you want in the accommodation you are looking for.

e.g. you could search for all the three bedroomed properties with central heating and a lounge let as whole property for two rooms in a house for 5 with a burglar alarm and shower.

You are able to be as specific as you like, but the more specific you get, the fewer properties will match your requirements. You might have to be a little more flexible to find the property you are looking for.

Search Results - Your Property List

The first results you will be presented with will be for 'shortlisting'. This list gives you brief information about each property and a small ‘thumbnail’ photo of the property. You can look at a more detailed description of the property by selecting the “more details” button. If you like the look of a property you can add it to your clipboard if you are registered and logged in.

Property Details

The detailed advert screen shows the full details of the property including if we have one, a photo of the front of the property and if the owner has supplied them, up to two other shots of the photo. There is a link to a map showing the location of the property. You can also add the property to your clipboard from this page.

screen shot

Q: Why should I register as a user?

A: To use the Unipol site fully you need to become a registered user of the site. All you need to do is to enter your e-mail address and set up a username and password as well as some information about where you are studying. Benefits of registering include:

Your Personal Clipboard

You can add and remove properties from your clipboard and next time you log on they will still be available to view (if they are still available to let). You can e-mail your list of properties and contact details to your own e-mail box or print that list out straight away.

Student to Student Noticeboard

Anyone can read messages on the notice board but only registered users can add new messages or reply to messages. A summary of all the threads you have contributed to is included on your personal Noticeboard page.

Previous Searches

All the criteria you have used in advanced searches over the past two weeks are stored and available for you to run again.

Q: Once I’ve accessed the property details, what do I need to do?

A: You need to be a registered user to output your list. You first need to add properties to your clipboard. When you have added the properties you want you simply click the print or e-mail buttons on the small toolbar over the property details.

Print: An easy to print format, your list can be printed quickly by any printer connected to your computer.

E-mail : You can send the list to your registered e-mail address.

Q: How do I use the Student to Student Noticeboard?

A: The Noticeboard allows students to leave messages for other students. The first page shows a list of notice topics. Usually only topics posted to in the last 30 days are shown but you can choose a longer or shorter time span. If there is a long list of topics you can narrow the list down by typing something in the 'filter' box then pressing the 'show notice' buttons.

Reading notices and Following up Messages

Click the notice title you are interested in. If you want to reply to the message you need to be logged in (see box). Simply, go to the bottom of the page (or click 'Reply to notice' which will get you there automatically). Type your message and press ‘Post Message’ and it will be added to the Noticeboard once it has been checked (usually within 24 hours).

Creating a New Notice

Go into the topic you have chosen and click ‘Post New Message'. Type the subject for the message and the text in the boxes then ‘Post Message’ and it will be added to the Noticeboard once it has been checked (usually within 24 hours).

Q: Is there anything else I might find useful?

A: Current average rent levels are displayed on the Unipol homepage. You can also conduct a quick search of any particular street to see how your rent level compares with others available in the market.

Q: Is there any other information I could make use of that isn’t on the Website?

A: We also provide a comprehensive information service which provides help and advice beyond that described here. Click here for local details.