Category: Tips

4 Must-Read Tips for University Parents

Congratulations! Whether your child is prepping for their first semester at a university or their last, you deserve a pat on the back for supporting them as they begin to tackle the world as an adult. While the fact that your child is on their way to becoming a young professional is certainly something to be celebrated, there are plenty of challenges that lie ahead. Though you survived the terrible twos, it can be argued that a panicked “I slept through a final exam” phone call from your 20-something is almost as unpleasant. Luckily, these Tips for University Parents will help you navigate this exciting and transitional time in both of your lives.

Create Quick Cuisine.

As the old saying goes, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”.  University students spend staggering amounts of money on food delivery services, so take some time to teach your child a few quick and easy recipes. No need to get fancy, some simple dishes will remind them of home and keep them from totally adhering to a diet of pizza and beer. It’s a win-win as you’ll be able to sneak in some quality time, and your bank account will thank you!

Money Matters.

After the basic cooking skills and a quick laundry tutorial, some smart financial decisions guidance is one of the most important things university parents can teach their children as they become increasingly independent. One common mistake made by university students is signing a rental agreement with housemates only to have them fail to pay their share, especially on Joint and Several Agreements. As a parent and possible rent guarantor, you may find yourself taking on massive debt along with your child. To avoid this, I recommend checking out a service like Only My Share that protects you both from a future financial disaster.

Communicate, Communicate, Communicate.

As the title suggests, communication is key. As a university parent, the most important thing you can do is remain on the same page as your child. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you will agree with every decision your child makes or that they will follow all (ok, any) of the (amazing) advice you give them. It means keeping an open line of communication and discussing future goals to make sure everyone is on the same page.

Information is Power.

University students are notoriously terrible when it comes to passing along important information in a timely manner. Between their busy social life and crammed class schedule, your child might not be the best when it comes to keeping you informed. This may be borderline infuriating for a university parent, but luckily university websites are packed full of important information and dates of semester breaks just waiting to be transferred into your calendar. Make sure to check your child’s university website every once and awhile to stay up to date.

This article about the “4 Top Tips for University Parents” was written for Only My Share by Ameena Debboun. For more information on how Only My Share can help you protect yourself from rent arrears in shared rented accommodation, visit onlymyshare.com or call 0203 887 2961.

Are you planning on renting in the UK? If yes, then read our top 5 tips for how to get the best property…

1. Be sure you know what you’re looking for when renting.

When it comes to finding a new home, we always have a special image in mind, built from our dreams or from what we’ve seen on TV. But in the end, many of us just don’t know what we want. This can get even more complicated if you are in a shared property as you may not all have the same idea of what is best when renting in the UK.

The best way to avoid being lost in your research is to start with a list of the elements which are the most important for you. If you are new in the city, you will need to do some research about the local area such as; local facilities, security issues, transportation options, and rental price to help set a budget…Don’t forget the bills and the agency fees!

2. Ask the locals.

Whether you are new to the city or not, a student or a working professional, you might be able to find friends, colleagues or people from the uni or even groups on Facebook to help you with your property hunting.

3. Considering shared accommodation.

Sharing a flat or a house with friends or other people is a good way to save money. In a case you move in with people or someone you don’t know, you will need to meet them first to talk about details such as; who is cleaning and how, if you or they party oriented?

Your life will be so much easier if you are moving in with the person who shares the same interests as you. Be sure to check if your tenancy contract is joint and several, as you may end up having to pay your housemate’s rent in case he/she doesn’t pay or leaves unexpectedly. To prevent ending up in this kind of situation, OnlyMyShare (Housing Hand group) is an assurance that divides the contract and covers you in case of non-reliable housemate (from £99) www.onmyshare.com

4. Be organised.

Renting a property in the UK might sometimes be a bit tricky and requires ample organisation.

you should write down all viewing appointments in a diary and note down the time, address, the name of the person you are meeting and any other important details.

Also, keep a record of all the questions you need to ask the landlord or letting agent. Be sure you ask the accommodation provider what their requirements are guarantor wise. Finding a guarantor or applying for one through Housing Hand, usually takes at least a day or two. so if you don’t want to be in a position where you are stressed or may lose a property you like it’s best to leave enough time to arrange a guarantor or have a guarantor in mind.

5. Prepare yourself.

Be sure you have all the documents usually required by letting agents or accommodation provider in general. Some accept international proof of ID whilst some will only accept passports so be sure all your documents are scanned and readily available to be sent quickly.