House Hunting So Far this Year: Facts and Figures

The Unipol website has had just under 25 million hits from January through to 1st August 2010, an 11% increase on 2009. 

Some key statistics for the year so far:

• 24.8 million hits
• 275,000 detailed searches 
• An average of 34,040 unique users per month, 9% increase on 2009 
• 3.7 million unique page impressions
• 83% of off-street properties let
• 8,548 Searches carried out on the first day (47% higher than 2009)
• 6,900 messages placed on the Student noticeboard 

Demand remains strong for Hyde Park and locations close to the institutions near the city centre. There are still some groups looking for houses but often are looking to negotiate on price. The Unipol website is still able to offer sudents a healthy level of choice.  Headingley is proving a little less popular than Hyde Park so far but offers students a vibrant place to live with some great properties to choose from.  Many more individuals are looking and during the next few weeks more postgraduate, international and placement students will be starting their search for accommodation.

The house hunting market is still buoyant with an average of over 1,000 searches carried out each day (excluding weekends).  Many students are popping in to the bureau for advice on areas and how to find out if their potential landlord is signed up to the Unipol Code. 

Unipol will be opening the next three weekends view our opening hours here

The current search figures by each day can be viewed at the bottom of the "Property Search" page in small type right at the end of the page and these are updated every hour or so.

The Unipol House Hunting tabloid  - SUMMER EDITION 2010 - available now  

Copies will be available from your Student Union and in lobby areas in your halls.  Unipol are supplying special tabloid stands to public areas across the institutions so feel free to pick up a copy.  If you are living in Hyde Park or Headingley you will receive a copy direct to your home. If you live outside these areas why not call us now to have a copy sent to you or call in to the accommodation bureau.

This edition is packed full of useful information on letting and highlights a few areas away from Hyde Park that students may be less familiar with, focussing on Meanwood and Woodhouse.  There are articles on: the Unipol Code; Using EPCs to help predict energy usage; a spotlight on all inclusive rents; moving in and out of properties information will be a helpful pull-out guide and finally the all important selection of Code properties still available will be detailed inside. 

More information for Students

The biggest thing to remember is that there is no need to panic when it comes to finding accommodation. There are more student rooms in Leeds than there are students, so you have more control over the market than you think. Make sure you take your time and think about whom you are going to live with, where you want to live, and how much you can realistically afford. Find out more about Househunting in 2010 and make sure you make the right choice for you.

If you want to know why 3rd year students often get the best houses click here

If you are a new student in Leeds, undergraduate or postgraduate, Unipol can help.  If you want to search for a room in a shared house please click here.  if you want a room in halls please click here

There are plenty of houses that are part of the Unipol Code, which means houses meet a given standard and if things go wrong you have access to an independent complaints procedure that normally sorts things out.

Not in a group?

Unipol have lots of properties available on individual lets, our own and properties from other landlords.  You can search for this by using the advanced search tool and choosing 'Yes' to the question: Will let individually?  In addition we are running a number of house hunting events for individuals.  Furthermore, why not check out the noticeboard which sees hundreds of messages a week placed from eager house hunters looking to meet new flatmates.  You will find a specfic board for individuals looking to form a group.

Unipol Code information

• Full Code Members: 448
• Supporters of the Unipol Code (Managing Agents) 31
• Inspections carried out in 2009: 575 plus 100 reinspections
• Inspections carried out in 2010: 173

 Visit the Unipol office and find out how we can help you

Unipol is open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4.45pm to:

• make accompanied viewings of Unipol owned or managed properties
• pick up one of a number of publications about finding a house in Leeds
• get information about the Unipol Code and the benefits it can give you 
• receive information and advice on living in Leeds and where to live
• browse thousands of properties on the Unipol website
• speak to advice staff about looking at properties and contracts

Whatever you do, make sure you use Unipol and the web site as your first port of call for all things house hunting.