House Hunters International

After arriving in Leeds Cailey and I spent two busy days viewing flats, maisonettes, and houses to rent while in Leeds. During these two days we viewed 11 properties total; two on the first day and an unexpected nine properties on the second. The value of a camera was noticed after we forgot to take photos of two of properties that we saw back to back. They essentially blended together and we struggled to describe them by memory at the hotel later that night. 

For you reading pleasure, we narrowed it down our top four properties and wrote it up "House Hunters International" style.

Consort Walk

Distance from Campus: 700m
Rent: £545/month

This property was a recently decorated, smaller bungalow-style flat in a low traffic area off the university. It consisted of an open plan kitchen and living room (with a small table, two chairs, and couch), a double bedroom with big closet, a very small single bedroom, and a basic bathroom. We viewed the property with 3 other people and we felt like there was some pressure to put a deposit down quickly on the house. It was very close to the University and to the main student area in Leeds. Overall the flat felt quite small but livable.

Woodside Terrace

Distance from Campus: 2.28km
Rent: £625/month

This property was the farthest property from campus.  We were told by the letting agent that as you move farther from campus the housing is often higher quality, better furnishings, for a lower price. This property was the ultimate example of this. Renovations at Woodside Terrace were slated to wrap up this week with new cabinets, a new bathtub and new furniture all being moved in. The property consisted of a full kitchen, full bath, 2 double bedrooms, one with a queen-sized, if not king-sized mattress. The property also included a small back yard. Cailey and I were both blown away by the furnishings as we were used to viewing cheaper properties near the university, however we were told that public transit would be the best way to get to and from the campus as it would be close to a 30 min walk otherwise.

Kelsall Place 

Distance from Campus: 1km
Rent: £550/month

This property was a very unexpected surprise. We heard from the letting agent that it had not been let in some time, and we were prepared for the worst. When we entered the house through a security grate, the house had very nice new furnishings, as the landlord was finishing up some renovations. The main floor had a tiny kitchen and sitting area with a gas range, mini-fridge, and a couch. The second floor was comprised of a smaller bedroom with a double bed and desk, and a newly tiled bathroom. A plastered spiral staircase led to the third floor bedroom which had a nice view and the same furnishings as the second floor bedroom. The house also had a very dark, scary cellar which was used for storage. I would never go down there unless I absolutely had to.  

Clarendon Road

Distance from Campus: 500m
Rent: £950/month

The last property we viewed was a three bedroom house just off campus. We managed to snag this viewing by getting the letting agent to convince the landlord that he should let the property to us considering that the main letting season is over and it is better to make some money versus no money at all. The Clarendon Road flat is on the top floor of a three story apartment building just off campus.  It currently consists of 3 similar sized, en-suite bedrooms. One of the bedrooms is currently housing a couch and dining room table. The main room has a nicely fitted kitchen with a dinner table and two sofas. This was by far the nicest flat that we viewed but it was dependent on what the letting agent could get the price down to for us.

After each viewing we walked back to our hotel discussing the pro's and con's of each property. We felt like we were in our own little episode of House Hunters International throwing around phrases like, "It's in a great location!" or "The rent is a to high/low" or "It has a terrace!" But all fun and games aside, some tough decisions had to be made. All in all we have had a very positive experience house hunting in Leeds. Because the rental property business is so large in Leeds, letting agencies do a very good job of helping renters through whole rental process. We have chosen two properties as front runners and are going to speak with the letting agencies Monday to see what we can work out. Once we have moved in, later this week hopefully, we will post a tour of place.

-Danny