Are you ready to move into your student house? | Guest Post

There is so much you need to know before moving into your student house, here are some tips from Walton Robinson to help you along on your way. Before you start -  why not read over our top 10 tips for what to do before you move out to help avoid deposit charges, which you can check out here. Hopefully you find this post interesting as there are so many different parts of moving into a student house which students aren't made aware of.

1) Make a plan in advance -There is nothing worse than not having a plan for an event like this. When moving house, you want everything to be as stress free as possible. Maybe you can your family and friend if they can lend a hand? If there's a few of you moving together, it could be worth hiring a van so you can do it all in one trip!

2) Paperwork - Moving is stressful, before you move into your house it is vital you make sure that all paperwork is complete and all fee and rent payments have been made. If you're in a group, make sure every single one of you have completed everything - if just one person is missing one payment or piece of paperwork we won't give out any keys at all until everything is 100% complete!

3) Collecting the keys - Check with your agent or landlord if there is a certain time you have to collect your keys. At Walton Robinson it must be after 3pm and you must call up and make an appointment in advance. Speak to your housemates about when they're moving in, the first person to come to the office can collect all the keys for each tenant.

4) Know your point of contact - When you collect your keys make sure you are given the number and email address of the person you need to contact if there are any issues with the property, and if there is a separate number for out of hours’ emergencies. This will either be the landlord or, if your property is managed by Walton Robinson, your property supervisor. You can also find details here if WR manage your property. We also appoint a lead tenant, someone who is our point of contact for when we need to inform you about viewings and inspections.

5) Inventory - You will be given an inventory when you move in, either from Walton Robinson or the landlord. Make sure you know the deadline for returning the completed inventory (with WR it is seven days) and that you pay close attention to every item and make any corrections that may be necessary. This will help when it comes to moving out and getting your deposit back at the end of the tenancy.

6) Utilities & Bills- You will be asked to record meter readings on your inventory form. Keep a note of them as you will need this information when creating new utilities accounts. If you need any help with this, call your property supervisor and they will be happy to help.

7) Council Tax -  Students are exempt from paying council tax but you will need to inform the council of your exemption status or you will be sent a bill. Download the form here.

8) Summer Arrangements - If you're moving your things in but not actually living there over the summer, let your landlord or agent know. This bit's obvious but remember to switch the heating and any plugs off before you leave and make sure you don't leave any valuables on display! You never know who might be peaking in.

*Guest Post By Walton Robinson. 

Moving To University, What Do I need? |Tips and Tricks.

I can't believe it's a matter of a week until it is August! Crazy right? For those of you who are going to university means it's only a matter of a month until you move into your halls for university, or if you're going into second year you may have already moved in or be planning to into your new house. I decided to make a little bit of a guide to share with you what you need to take to halls when you're moving into university. I hope you enjoy this post and find it somewhat helpful, I would love to know any ideas you have in the comments also to help those new students.

First things first you need something to pack your stuff in, if you're anything like me you have a LOT to move. When I was looking for ideas of how to pack all my stuff I came across a website called Davpack who offer a huge range of boxes from all shapes and sizes, perfect for moving. On the boxes it even says what weight to put in them and what they are suited for! You can get a pack of 10 for £14.95 and the boxes are suitable for so many different things as well as sturdy.

Now to the check list of what you need to take:

Important documents:
This is usually the last thing on any students mind, but it is really important. I have my own important document box now, which I have collected up all of my documents over the last few years, including my passport, birth certificate, course acceptance letters, student finance as well as your driving license (if you have one) and bank card!

Kitchen and Bathroom basics: 
I cannot stress enough how when you get to university you will not use everything you've brought with you, and if you do it is probably likely to get destroyed in shared accommodation. Go for cheap, your cutlery will probably end up missing, with your cups stained and smashed and your towels destroyed. Of course bringing stuff to university and over buying is normal, but just be wary of what you don't want getting wrecked. For basics for the kitchen you need things like plates, cutlery, glasses, pans etc. For the bathroom you need things like towels, toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo. But of course like everything else in this guide don't worry too much if you forget anything.

The bedroom: 
For most university students this is where they will spend most of their time, it is important to bring things from home which you feel you will need as well as the things which will give you comfort. You need things like a duvet, pillows, clothes, possibly a TV, washing stuff, linen. There's so much you could take but it is just about what you think you need. When you move into your halls you don't want to have taken a huge bedrooms worth of stuff to fit into a small one, as it just won't work.

If you need anymore advice or tips feel free to tweet me at @dungareesdonuts! 

If you're purchasing from Davpack, make sure you use the code Student10 for an extra discount!

*In collaboration with Davpack. 

9 tenancy rights every student should know | Lets Talk

Moving into your own parent-free home for the very first time is hugely exciting, but it is a serious step. This means it’s extremely important to know your rights when it comes to renting your digs. A few facts can go a long way to preventing you from losing time, money - and your patience. Pump equipment specialists, Pump Sales Direct offer their best advice:

1. Fire regulations
Your landlord must ensure that you are as safe as possible in the event of a fire. This means that you must have an adequate escape route and, if applicable, access to fire extinguishers. You must also have a minimum of one smoke alarm on each floor. It is advisable to check out who is responsible for maintaining the smoke alarms before signing your tenancy agreement.

2. Appliances
All gas appliances must be tested each year and a Gas Safe certificate should be kept in the property to show that this is the case. Make sure that you ask your landlord to show you this before you sign your tenancy agreement.

Your landlord is also responsible for ensuring that electrical installations are not dangerous and any portable appliances supplied, such as toasters or kettles, need to be PAT tested each year.

3. Carbon monoxide
Your landlord must fit carbon monoxide alarms in any room where there is a solid fuel appliance. Gas boilers are not covered by these regulations, although it would be advisable to buy your own alarm to position near these, if your landlord refuses.

4. Infestations
Unwanted guests probably won’t be unusual during your student years but some could be more irksome than others, such as bedbugs, rats, and mice. Thankfully, if you get such an infestation, it is often your landlord’s job to sort out the problem, as long as you didn’t cause the issue yourself. When it comes to bedbugs, for example, the responsibility falls to the person who brought in the affected furniture.

Most infestations can be solved with the help of private companies or through individual actions but rat problems should be reported to your local authority.

5. Decorating
You will need to get written landlord permission before you decorate. Many will give this but may want you to return the property to the original condition before you leave.

Just be wary of spending too much money on things such as decorating, especially if you are only likely to be living in a property for a short time. Whilst it may be essential to ask your landlord to invest in good quality equipment to ensure that the plumbing in your property operates efficiently - and you can have a decent shower - changing walls from beige to blue isn’t normally an essential expenditure.

6. Landlord visits
Your landlord may own your property, but that doesn’t give him the right to just wander in whenever he wants to. In fact, he must give you a reasonable period of notice if he wants to inspect the property or carry out some repairs. Your tenancy agreement should say what this period is.

7. Accidents
You should report anything dangerous at the property to your landlord as soon as possible. In most cases, this will result in the problems being solved.

If you have an accident that you didn’t cause, you could seek legal advice in order to make a claim for compensation.

8. Evictions
Your landlord does have some legal rights when it comes to evicting you - but so do you. Whilst you can be evicted for not paying your rent or breaching your tenancy agreement, for example, there are still procedures that your landlord must adhere to in order to remove you from the property legally.

The procedures that must be followed will depend on the kind of tenancy agreement that you have, so it is important to seek legal advice if you are told you are being evicted.

9. Notice to leave
If your landlord decides that he wants you out of the property, he must notify you in a certain way, including particular warnings and information. How he gives you notice will, again, depend on the kind of tenancy agreement you have and the terms it contains. If you feel you are being unfairly treated, you can seek advice from the Citizens Advice Bureau.

If you want to vacate the property before the end of your contract, you may have to pay your rent for the remaining term, unless you can reach an arrangement with your landlord, or you can prove that your landlord has done something wrong, such as breaching the terms of your tenancy agreement.

*Guest Post

4 Ways To Live A Healthier Lifestyle | Tips and Tricks.

Hi all, how are we doing? SO sorry about the delay between posts at the moment, I am sad that when I am busy my student blog suffers but I am hoping to change this soon and be able to create a weekly post for this blog, if you have any suggestions of what you'd like to see on my blog do let me know, I am happy to write about what you lot like to read. Today I am bringing you an advice styled post on how to live a healthier lifestyle whilst at university, I thought I'd give you some tips and tricks how to implement a healthy lifestyle whilst living at university (although we all know it is SO hard). Let me know your top tip for keeping healthier whilst at university.

Tip One: Less Drinking. 
Being a university student of course involves drinking a lot, there are so many parties and events which involve drinking, going to party and not drinking can often make you feel like an outcast and people saying you're boring. For this tip I am totally NOT asking you to give up alcohol all together, but I am saying to cut down the booze to a once or twice a week instead of seven days a week. OR just drink when it is a big event, it is ok to say no to drinking and if your friends have a problem with that then that is their own problem, not yours.

Tip Two: Ditch The Fast Food.
Speaking from experience with this one, but eating takeaway every single day of week is going to make you unhealthy, feel like crap and give you less energy. Although pizza is good and as is Chinese food it is important to sometimes cook for yourself, I have found the most useful site I have for creating dishes from the leftover food in your cupboards is Big Oven you share three items you have in your house and it will create tasty dishes for you to make. Do this when you feel like ordering takeaway as you have no food in as it will save you money, help you stay healthy and give you a new meal idea.

Tip Three: Alternatives To Smoking. 
In 2016 vaping is the new way forward, smoking is old news and if you want to smoke something that tastes better and is a lot less damaging to yourself than smoking, as well as being able to do it indoors (no more trips outside in the rain) vaping is the one for you. Being a student vaping is the new way to smoke socially without harming those around you, Vapelux offer a HUGE range of vaping tools to get you started as well as what you need to start smoking Shisha including many Shisha pen flavours.

Tip Four: Start Working Out.
Although a gym membership isn't always friendly to a student budget there are SO many other fun ways to exercise which can work for a small budget or even no budget. Some examples of this are swimming and running. With Swimming you can pay as you go or get a student pass for a fraction of the price. Running with friends is a totally free way to hang out as well as work out. Other ideas could include buying some weights and working out at home or the university gym is usually cheaper than other 24 hour gyms.

What are your top tips for getting healthier at university? 

*In Collaboration with VapeLux. 

5 Things EVERY New Student Needs To Know | Tips and Tricks!

A bit of a different one on the blog today and although the I have a totally different blog I decided I would bring you a student related post on Dungarees & Donuts, as I know I still have some student readers here and I thought it would make a good Wednesday post, having 6 months of my degree left after already studying for 3 years I would say I have a good idea on how to live life as a student and all of the things which come with it. From saving money to nights out, here on Dungarees & Donuts I've experienced it all. Today I thought I would share just 5 things all new students need to know although I could probably go on for weeks. I hope you enjoy this post and if you fancy reading any other student posts feel free to check out my other blog Dungarees & Degrees.

1. Student = Discount
Being a student means you get discount on so many things, from food to clothing and even cheap nights out. It's amazing being a student because you get so many discounts and it enables you to spend more. Although sometimes it can be a bad thing, hello 40 pairs of shoes.

2. Cheap Travel
Similar to the last point but this one is aimed more at travel as there is so many different ways for a student to travel. Stagecoach offer an amazing discount for university students meaning that you can travel around the city for a discount price. As well as the discount you can get on trains by using a Railcard.

3. It's OK to feel lost.
During the first few weeks of university everyone is feeling the same way as you are, a bit lost and unsure of what to do as well as probably homesick and trying to adjust to life whilst at university, it is totally fine to feel this way.

4. Enjoy Freshers
Whilst you are in first year university is nowhere as serious or as hard as the years to come, it is totally worth having your parties and getting drunk lots during the first year before the hard work commences after. When you stop being a fresher it totally changes everything!

5. The Pot Noodle Diet
When you first become a student it often becomes a case of eating easy food for the next few months until you get settled. Pot noodles are a personal favourite of mine along with pasta and pizza takeaway. As long as you eat some stuff which is relatively healthy eventually, you'll be fine!

I hope you enjoyed my tips on being a new student!