Your Malete hostel inspection checklist

Photos help you shortlist a hostel. An inspection helps you understand what living there could actually be like.

For a KWASU student choosing accommodation in Malete, a good tour should answer practical questions about the room, its facilities, your route to campus and the full cost of moving in. Take this checklist with you and use the same questions at each property.

Before the tour: confirm what you are going to see

• Confirm the exact room, its availability and the quoted rental period.
• Ask for the location, appointment time and the name of the person meeting you.
• Request the rent and compulsory charges in advance so you know whether the room fits your budget.
• Write down your priorities: water, privacy, shared facilities, cooking arrangements or an easier commute.

iHostels hostel tours are free. Open a room listing, choose Book a Tour and submit your preferred date and time. Wait for the provider to accept the request before treating the visit as confirmed. You may still need to budget for your own transport.

Inside the room: inspect the details

• Water: ask to check the taps and find out what happens when the usual supply is unavailable.
• Bathroom: look at the toilet, drainage, visible leaks and ventilation.
• Walls and ceiling: look for damp patches, cracks and evidence of leaks.
• Doors and windows: check locks, closing mechanisms, ventilation and privacy.
• Electrical fittings: look for damaged fittings or exposed wires and ask about repairs; avoid touching unsafe wiring.
• Space: check whether your bed, storage and study area can realistically fit.

If the room you inspect is a sample, ask to see the actual room you would receive before committing. Features shown in one room may not be present in another.

Check the facilities beyond your door

Ask how electricity is metered and paid for, how water is stored, who maintains shared spaces and whom residents contact when something breaks.

Look at waste disposal, drainage, access to the building and the condition of shared bathrooms or kitchens where applicable. If you have the opportunity, ask a current resident about their experience, remembering that one person’s account may not represent everyone’s.

A feature in an advert is a question to verify during the tour.

Try the route to campus

A room’s rent is only part of its cost. Consider the time, effort and transport spending involved in travelling to your lectures.

• Check the route you would actually use, rather than judging only by a map distance.
• Ask about transport availability at the times you usually travel.
• Think about noise, lighting and access on the surrounding roads.
• Consider whether a cheaper room would require more daily transport spending.

Before committing: put the answers in writing

Record the exact room, rental period, compulsory charges and facilities included. If repairs or additions were promised during the tour, ask the provider to confirm what will be completed and when.

Compare your notes with the other rooms you have seen. A more expensive room may offer features you value, but price alone does not establish quality. A lower-priced room may meet your needs if you have checked its condition and costs.

Find a hostel and request a free tour, or read our guide to the full hostel price.