Remote Viewings Guide: How to Choose a Student Home from Abroad

Choosing a student home from another country can feel like buying a coat without trying it on. 

The photos look fine, the description sounds reassuring, and the letting agent seems confident. But remote viewings can absolutely work if you treat the process like a mini investigation rather than a quick tour. 

Your goal is simple: reduce surprises. That means asking the right questions on the video call, capturing the right evidence, and double-checking room size and location so you don’t arrive to a “cosy” room that’s actually a cupboard.

Before the call: get your prep done in 15 minutes

Start by asking for the full property address (or at least the postcode and building name) before you book the viewing. If they won’t share it, that’s a red flag. 

Next, request a floor plan, the EPC rating, and a copy of the tenancy terms you’ll be expected to sign (or a sample contract). You’re not being difficult; you’re filtering out anything sketchy early. Also ask how the deposit is protected and when you’ll receive the prescribed information – reputable agents will answer quickly and clearly.

Finally, make a quick list of your non-negotiables: minimum bedroom size, desk space, quietness, and commute time. It’s easy to get distracted by “nice lighting” on camera and forget you’ll be living there through deadlines and winter.

On the video call: what to ask while you’re actually touring

During the live viewing, your questions should follow the order of how you’ll use the home day-to-day. 

Begin with the bedroom because that’s where most remote-viewing disappointment happens. Ask them to stand in the doorway and slowly pan the entire room, including ceiling corners (mould often shows there first), behind the door, and around the window frames. 

Then ask them to open the wardrobe and show inside. If it’s a “double room”, ask them to show the bed plus the available floor space in one continuous shot – no cutting between angles.

In the kitchen, don’t just admire the worktops. Ask which appliances are included (and whether they’re maintained by the landlord), how many fridge/freezer shelves each tenant gets, and whether there’s enough cupboard space per person. In shared houses, storage is quality of life. 

In the bathroom, ask them to run the shower for 15–20 seconds so you can hear water pressure and see drainage speed. It’s a simple test that tells you a lot.

Finish by asking about heating type (boiler, electric, communal), average bills (and whether bills are included), and internet speed or provider availability. If it’s “bills included”, ask what’s actually included and whether there’s a fair usage cap.

The “please show me” checklist (so you’re not relying on descriptions)

Remote viewings are strongest when you replace vague words with visuals. Ask them to show the consumer unit (fuse box) briefly, the boiler (or heating controls), and the smoke alarms. 

Ask to see the locks on the front door and bedroom door. If the home is in a block, ask to see the building entrance, intercom, lift (if there is one), and bike storage.

If there’s a garden, ask for a slow pan around fences and the ground – poor drainage and broken fencing can become a headache. If there’s parking, ask them to show signage and whether it’s permit-controlled. These details can feel minor until you arrive and realise you’re circling the block every night.

What to screenshot and record during the call

Screenshots are your future memory. Take clear captures of the bedroom from the doorway, the window and any visible damp marks, the desk area, the wardrobe, and the radiator. 

In the kitchen, screenshot the fridge/freezer, hob, oven, washing machine, and any obvious wear. In the bathroom, capture the shower head, extractor fan, and any seals around the bath or shower tray (mould lives there).

If you can, record the call (with permission) or at least record your screen on your device. Even a short recording helps when you’re comparing two similar properties later. The main aim is evidence: what was promised visually, not just verbally.

Sanity-checking room sizes without a tape measure

If a room size is listed, treat it as a claim to verify. Ask them to measure the bedroom on camera using a tape measure, or at minimum measure one wall length. 

If that’s awkward, use furniture as reference points. A standard single bed is roughly 90cm x 190cm; a double is about 135cm x 190cm. Ask them to show the bed and then pan to the space for a desk chair to pull out. If a desk is “included”, ask for its width and whether a proper chair fits under it.

A practical test is the “desk-and-bed reality check”: can you see, in one continuous shot, a usable desk space (not a tiny shelf), the bed, and walking space that doesn’t require sideways shuffling? If they keep switching angles, politely ask for one slow, uninterrupted pan from one corner of the room to the other.

Location checks: don’t trust “close to campus” without proof

“Close” means different things to different people, and letting listings often stretch it. 

Get the exact address or postcode and check three routes: to your department building (not just “the university”), to the nearest big supermarket, and to a main transport hub (bus station or train station). Check the journey at peak times, and do it for walking and public transport.

Also sanity-check the street itself. Use street-level imagery where available and look for signs of heavy traffic, nightlife hotspots, or industrial areas. If you’re sensitive to noise, ask directly about the nearest pub, late-night takeaway strip, or main road – and then confirm it yourself on the map.

Red flags that should make you pause

If they refuse to do a live call and only send edited videos, be cautious. If they won’t share the address, push for at least the building name and postcode. 

If they pressure you to pay a deposit before you’ve seen a contract or without explaining deposit protection, step back. 

And if the person showing you the property won’t answer straightforward questions about bills, repairs, or who manages maintenance, assume the experience may be messy when something breaks.

Putting it all together: make a simple decision score

After each viewing, give the property a quick score out of 10 for: bedroom practicality, storage, warmth/energy efficiency, location/commute, and “confidence” (how transparent the agent/landlord was). That last one matters more than people admit. 

A slightly smaller room with a clear contract, responsive management, and honest answers can beat a “bigger room” wrapped in uncertainty.

Remote viewings aren’t about finding perfection – they’re about avoiding regret. Ask for proof, capture what matters, and verify the basics. Do that, and you’ll land in your new city feeling settled, not swindled.