• Agree ‘House Rules’ with your flat mates
• Get a TV license between you
• Make sure you all have sufficient insurance for contents and possessions
• Draw up a list of regular chores to be done and agree a rota
• Discuss and agree how to manage ‘bathroom rush hours’
• Understand how all your appliances work. If anything breaks due to misuse you may be liable
• Be friends with your washing machine, heating, boiler and plumbing system! It is so easy to take these for granted but when there’s a problem you really know about it!
• Agree on ‘curfew’ times for guests. Especially during the week if you have to get up for work or Uni, you don’t want to be kept awake into the small hours by your house mates and their friends
• Have a kitty for items you all use, such as loo roll, washing up liquid etc
• Learn to cook and avoid takeaways. This will save you money, keep you healthy and you might even enjoy it too!
• Cook together – it really saves on time, money, washing up etc and gives you an opportunity to talk
• Buy supermarket products on ‘Buy one get one free’ special offers, it’s like paying half price
• Shop outside normal hours, get to know the best times when stores in your area reduce produce such as meat, vegetable and fruit
• Save money off vouchers for when you shop. Many stores will take the vouchers even if you haven’t bought the specified item
• Students can get discounts with an NUS Extra card which gives discount at a range of stores
• Use left overs to make salads, sandwiches, soups and stew
• Plan what you are going to eat for the week in advance, work out what you need and only buy that when shopping – minimises wastage
• Look at meals that form the basis for other meals – ie Mince can then be turned into spag bol which can in turn be turned into Chilli etc
• Go to the swimming pool or gym – have a shower there and use their hot water
• Try to sign up to phone / internet / TV deals which give benefits such as free calls, unlimited downloads etc
• Use Skype – it’s free
• Does your mobile phone contract give any freebies? Some give a free laptop
• Sign up for money off and loyalty cards. Most coffee shops, fast food and book stores will have a scheme
• Shop around for best rates or best perks for bank accounts etc
• Make a list of all the dates your bills are due on  to ensure they are paid in full and on time
• If you are all students, apply for your Council Tax exemption ASAP. You must provide proof from your university that you are in full time education
• Try to resolve all disputes as they arise, between you. There is nothing worse than a frosty atmosphere, where things go unsaid. Listen to your house mates’ point of view and ask that they listen to you. Offer solutions to problems
• Agree how the bills will be split – if your name is on the bill, ultimately you are responsible for paying it so it is advisable to divide them up between all who live in the property.
• Keep an eye on gas and electricity usage to keep bills low
• Clear up after yourself – in the kitchen, bathroom and all other shared areas
• Remember to allow steam to escape by opening windows when cooking and using the bathroom. This will help to avoid condensation and mould growing
• Be security conscious and make sure windows and doors are locked at night and when you are out
• Be mindful of your neighbours. Not everyone gets on with their neighbours but building good relations with your neighbours can have huge benefits
• Keep a healthy sense of humour
• Mark your possessions with your initials or a security marker
• Make sure your mobile phone has ICE (In Case of Emergencies) as a contact with more than one person listed

Out on the Town

• If you are out on a big night, set your budget before you go
• Plan how you will get home before you leave. It’s no fun having a long walk home on your own in the dark
• Don’t take your credit card – it is so easy to spend what you don’t have and regret it afterwards
• Take a charged mobile phone with you
• Watch your drinks being poured and don’t leave unattended
• Share a licensed taxi home with house mates or friends
• Get to know a local taxi firm
• Take a jacket
• If you get the bus or train home late, avoid doing so alone and if you do, sit near the driver or in a carriage with other people
• Don’t take a short cut home through parks, alleys or unlit areas
• Learn what your limits are. There is a big difference between having a good night out and ruining the next day – or worse by going too far
• Drink plenty of water before you go to bed
• Don’t give your address or phone number to strangers
• Stick with friends and don’t leave anyone behind
• If you are going on somewhere else, make sure you tell friends where you will be
• Don’t use a cash point when you are out

Stretching your budget

• Whenever you are about to make a purchase, consider:

Do you really need it?

Can you do without it?

Are you able to borrow it from family, friend or library?

Is it something you can share the cost of with a friend?

Can you buy it anywhere else cheaper?

Can you afford it?

• Get a part time job
• Set a daily, weekly and monthly budget and manage it. It is boring but it is key to surviving on limited funds
• Always ask for discounts – student, cash or both!

Ask for expert help when you need it – don’t be shy about thi

Q. Why did GM decide to invest in this, at a time when the property market is suffering its worst recession in decades?

A. GM Connect is a major step forward, in terms of service to tenants and landlords. We are the first letting agent to have this and as such ahead of the competition! GM Connect enables us to send SMS and emails to the LL immediately after a viewing has taken place. Tenants are reminded of their appointments and communicated with throughout the viewing process.

Q. How will landlords benefit?

A. The automation will ensure LL’s receive quicker feedback in terms of the letting status of their property.

Q. How will tenants benefit?

A. Prospective tenants receive reminders by SMS and email prior to their appointment. This helps them and will also increase attendance.

Q. What about the Letting Agents here at GM?

A. For a start they are now able to view, make and update all viewing appointments on their phone. They can also complete admin on their phone, which is then automatically sent to the lead tenant, property management team and the Letting Agent themselves. This means a faster, more efficient service to the tenants, streamlined and paperless process for GM…and more time to spend on viewings.

Q. What will GM Connect tell us?

A. GM Connect will be an invaluable tool for GM; we will be able to accurately track the viewing history of any property at the touch of a button and focus on improving our whole letting process from marketing to lease signing.

Q. What has been the feedback so far?

A. One LL who has several properties, said: “Thank you for this and it certainly seems to be an excellent additional service!”

With the credit crunch looming over us for the last however many months, there has been plenty of advice as to how your money can go further. One idea is cooking for yourself rather than buying convenience food or take away meals. Cooking for yourself and your house mates can not only save you money, it can be a healthier way to eat too….it can also bring people together, be the basis of lots of good chat, help reduce washing up, keep bills low, be a challenge and enjoyable.

If you plan your weekly menu, it can make shopping easy and you can turn any left overs into soup, sandwiches or stews. These could even form part of your lunch, saving on money when you are eating away from home too.

However, always follow hygiene guidelines, especially with meat, frozen food and re heating. Make sure you stock your fridge properly, avoiding raw and cooked items sitting together.

If you have any hints and tips that have worked for you and would like to share on student life made easy or making your budget go further,  please send to:

louise.andrew@grantmanagement.co.uk

For some it may be a day on the beach, spending time with friends and family or staying in with a load of DVDs. For the team at Grant Management it is business as usual.

The phones in the call centre are ringing with countless prospective tenants trying to arrange viewings for houses and flats to rent.

Our team of property buyers are out and about viewing properties which may be suit our investment model.

The property management teams are offering support and advice to tenants and landlords, on a whole range of subjects!

If you need to get in touch for any reason, please let us know.  We are here to help.

To access online help 24/7 visit: www.gmhelp.com

To contact the team call: 0131 220 6360 and follow instructions

To view available houses and flats to rent visit: www.grantmanagement.co.uk

To arrange a viewing: 0845 230 2288

or emal: rentahome@grantmanagement.co.uk

We have sourced some superb investment properties with yields above 6% in prime rental areas of Edinburgh, Dundee and Stirling this week.

“Our investors have been snapping them up this month, we only have a couple left!”