Going to college is an exciting time, but there can be unexpected problems. Often finances can be stretched and the credit market can be a minefield. Many students may be living away from home for the first time. How do you know your accommodation is safe, and what do you do if it's not?

Here we offer advice to help students avoid the pitfalls. Use the links on the left to find out if your digs are up to scratch, how to deal with credit and what to do if you run into financial trouble.