Why a viewing is always worth it
The photos in a listing show a hostel at its very best. The real condition of the rooms, bathrooms and surroundings can only be judged in person. A viewing before paying any deposit is your best insurance against disappointment - and a reputable accommodation provider will never refuse one.
Here's a complete checklist of what to look at and what to ask.
What to look at on site
The room
- ✓ The condition of the beds and mattresses (worn-out mattresses = bad sleep before a shift)
- ✓ A lockable wardrobe for every resident
- ✓ Working heating and well-sealed windows (crucial in winter)
- ✓ The number of people in the room - how many actually live there, not how many beds there are
- ✓ Signs of damp or mould on the walls and in the corners
Bathrooms and kitchen
- ✓ Cleanliness of the toilets and showers - how many people share them?
- ✓ Is there reliable hot water even in the evening, when the shifts come back?
- ✓ Kitchen equipment: cookers, a fridge with enough space, dishes
- ✓ Washing machine - is it included in the price, or do you pay per wash?
The building and surroundings
- ✓ Parking - is it guarded, what's the capacity, is there a fee
- ✓ Distance to the nearest public transport stop and to a shop
- ✓ Noise - what's nearby (a road, an industrial site, a pub)?
- ✓ How the other residents and the common areas look on a weekday
Questions to ask the accommodation provider
- What exactly does the monthly price include? Utilities, internet, bed linen, laundry, cleaning, parking - have them list it all.
- How much is the deposit and when will you return it? Ask for the return conditions in writing.
- What is the notice period? The standard is 2 weeks to 1 month.
- How are faults handled? Is there a manager on site? How quickly does a broken washing machine or heating get repaired?
- Can the room be locked, and who has keys?
- What are the rules for visitors and night-time quiet hours? Important if you work shifts.
- Will you issue a proof of accommodation? Needed for your employer, the authorities, or a foreigner's residence application.
Warning signs - when it's better to walk away
If the accommodation provider pushes for immediate payment "because there are lots of people interested", refuses a written contract, or won't show you the actual room you'd be living in - keep looking. A reputable provider answers these questions without hesitation.
- Payment up front with no viewing and no contract
- A different "show" room than the one you'd actually live in
- Evasive answers when asked what's included in the price
- No receipts for payments
After the viewing
If you're happy, arrange a written contract and photograph the room when you move in - its condition on arrival is your best evidence in any dispute over the deposit. You'll find more about contracts and prices in our complete guide.
Conclusion
An hour spent on a viewing will save you months of frustration. Go with this checklist, ask openly, and don't let anyone pressure you into a quick payment. You'll find hostels to view in our overview of verified hostels - with direct contact to the accommodation provider.