Tony Costin speaks to the GreenPad team about why students should attend the Housing Fair and Halls to Houses events in November.
House-hunting as a student can be a difficult, often daunting task, especially in the midst of all your studies. For some it's the first time dealing with housing contracts and landlords and for many it's simply their first time searching for somewhere to live in the local area. Either way it can feel like you're jumping in at the deep end.
For this reason GreenPad, who are the Union's own lettings agency that are completely free for students to use, established the Housing Fair and Halls to Houses events.
The Housing Fairs take place once a year in Stoke and Stafford and give students exclusive early access to an array of Union-approved landlords offering the best choice of houses possible.
All the housing events will take place in the third and fourth week of November and will also offer crucial knowledge to those uncertain about the next step with the Halls to Houses talk. Here inexperienced students, or just those who need a refresher, will learn what's best when signing contracts and choosing a home as well as how to avoid making the mistakes that could cost them big.
Gary Thomas, GreenPad's Duty Lettings Manager, said: "The students at the housing fair can expect to see landlords that have been working with us, whose properties we've visited and marked as up to a good standard.
"There's a variety for them in terms of price, in terms of whether they want to be inclusive for the bills, whether they want to be in a shared house, whether they want a larger accommodation just outside the campus and more."
Last year's housing fairs saw hundreds of students attend and the Union is working hard to improve on that number for this year. There's an even bigger collection of landlords and there's more information now about the people who provide accommodation in the area.
The Halls to Houses events were equally as successful because they taught students what they needed to know before they made a mistake.
"In the past, before we set Halls to Houses up, we were aware there were some companies that were getting students to sign up for properties without them even viewing. We don't think that's good practice," Gary said.
"The worst thing that can happen is a student comes in and says 'I've just signed a contract, can you help me?' At that point it's too late.
"The main things we'll be saying in Halls to Houses are: a) don't sign anything until you've seen what you're looking at and b) if you're in any doubt at all come and talk to us or visit the Student Advice Centre.
"We're just trying to protect the students, making sure they don't make any fundamental mistakes and sign for something they don't actually want."
Where and when to visit your local Housing Fair and Halls to Houses talk:
Stafford Halls to Houses talks:
Green Lecture Theatre, Octagon
Tuesday 17th November, 11-12pm
Wednesday 18th November, 5-6pm
Friday 20th November, 12-1pm
Stafford Housing Fair:
Student Space, Beacon Building
Tuesday 24th November, 3-7pm
Stoke Halls to Houses talk:
Brindley Food Court
Wednesday 25th November, 5-6pm
Stoke Housing Fair:
Henrion Gallery Space
Thursday 26th November, 11-3pm