Home away from home

By N. Dilshath Banu

Finally, you've got the offer to study in Colombo or found a job away from home. Or you’re trying to rent a place closer to your office/college, as travelling everyday from home seems very tiring. Before you shoulder your backpack and list out all the things you are going to take, there are some things you need to consider!!

You might not be able to take all your ‘beloved’ items with you

What are you looking for? A place to stay in the area you'll be based or a place that is closer to your college or work. It could be a single room in a hostel, or in a house with a family, or a room shared with one or more people.

It's always best to have your own room because it's your own space and no one can snatch your stuff. If you know to cook and deal with the things like washing, managing your budget etc… Wow! But remember, getting your own place is not easy. While you'll be compelled to do your own things, you need to think of purchasing items you need to make the place liveable. This is more like having your own home, which is going to be costly and not most of us can afford it.

If it's just a single room for you with a family, then you may not need to worry about bringing everything on your own. But make sure to know whether they are providing three meals a day. Whether they will let you use their iron, fridge and to electricity to charge your phone, laptop or listen to the radio should be on your checklist. If one of these is a ‘no,’ look at alternatives like having your own iron, or paying a little extra for the ironing. However, sharing a room is a very common option as it seems quite cost-effective and an easy way of getting a place to stay.

Having somebody to be beside you could mean a lot during the initial days of your life on your own. Roommates would not only be the coping mechanism for 'home sickness,' but also be the partners of all the fun things you could imagine – in simple things like shopping or going for concerts or sharing your most hidden secrets and finding solutions for them.

It's exciting to think that you are going to find in your roommates a great pal, but honestly, your roommate can make your life a sweet dream or a terrible nightmare.

Make sure it’s allowed to make abit of noise

After all, she/he's a stranger to you and you, in fact, a stranger to her/him, unless your roommate is your friend or a person you've known for sometime. Your roommate may not be guilty of stealing your money, but still, your room can turn into a witch castle with the accumulated 'little' annoyances.

It's always best to know at least a little bit about your roommate, but it's hard and impossible as most of the time you are thrust among strangers. Nevertheless, there are cases of good roommates, so do not always view a them in a totally negative light.

The other important aspect is the 'conditions' set out. After a few meetings with the owner and coming to an agreement on the monthly rent, you may make certain requests, which can make all the difference. They will show you the room, the washroom, they agree that you can use the light in the hall to study; you’re confident that you can use electricity that is connected to your room and listen to the radio whenever you get depressed.

But the day arrives when you are moving to your new kingdom and you see just a vacant bed, and suddenly have to find a bedspread and pillow cases; the plug is plastered and you can't use the your radio and the lights are so dim making it difficult to read!

So prior to getting traumatised, you should 'ask' what they impose on your freedom and what things you need to bring. Check for things like… Will you be allowed to study in the room or is there a place dedicated to study? What is the time they switch off the lights? And if you need to study longer, what are the options? Who cleans your room and washroom? Are the meals provided only at a particular time and whether you are not provided meals early or after 'meal time' is over? Whatever you need to clarify write them down and get it cleared one by one.

Take a bit of home with you

The most important thing of all is the amount that you are willing to pay as rent. Usually for a room, whether shared or not, you need to pay a monthly rent and an agreed advance pay. If it's an annexe, sometimes the owner would ask you to pay six months advance or more or even payment of the total sum within a mutually decided upon period.

It's important to note that while you are dealing with money, it's best to put terms and conditions down in 'writing.’ To avoid disappointments at both ends, you need to ask, from the first instance, about the advance payment, and how much you need to pay if you had to move out prior to your period ends and have it in writing. Though it seemed so unfair this way everything is above board and all parties concerned know exactly where they stand.

Finally, above all the important things, you need to look into your 'security.' Do not leave room for this to be glossed over. Know the people you are staying with, their background and the neighbourhood if possible. It's not possible to find out every detail about your new neighbourhood immediately, but getting to know at least a little bit is important. Try your best to seek information about the family you're hoping to stay from the neighbourhood, if there's a possibility. If you feel unsafe in your new place or neighbourhood listen to your gut feeling and leave as soon as possible. Remember, security first, no matter what!