"There's no place like home"… obviously Dorothy 'n' Toto had never shared a house with two psychopaths, a lazy ass and a tone-deaf drummer.

Finding the perfect student pad after the easy-life in those hallowed halls can be a minefield of leaky roofs, lousy landlords and lost deposits. Fresh Direction aims to take the pain out of house hunting, serving up the real facts on contracts, exchanging cash and harmonious cohabitation.

We also help you choose the stress-free housemate (almost) and hear tales of horror from the big, scary house share chair. There are also handy hints on turning your stinking pit into a peachy palace and we reveal what your room says about YOU!

Couldn't change a light bulb if a sweet little kitten's life depended on it? Fear no more, our (almost) foolproof guide to practical DIY will have you putting up shelves and painting your flatmates before you can say 'Handy Andy'.

And for those who you who can't be trusted with sharp or hot objects, there's some simple steps to cooking and kitchen safety. Happy housewarming (err, not literally!)