The Hidden Costs of Student Accommodation Nobody Warns You About

You found a room at £150/week. Great.

But your actual costs? Probably closer to £175-200/week once you factor in everything they don't mention in the headline price.

Let me break down every hidden cost I've found after analyzing hundreds of student accommodation listings.

The Upfront Costs

1. Holding Deposit (£100-500)

Most providers require a holding deposit when you book. This "reserves" your room.

The catch: Some providers don't make it clear this is separate from your main deposit. You might think you've paid your deposit, then get hit with another bill at move-in.

What to check: Is the holding deposit deducted from your main deposit, or is it additional?

2. Administration Fees (£0-150)

Technically banned for most private rentals under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, but PBSA (Purpose Built Student Accommodation) can still charge them.

Common "admin fees" include:

• Reference checks
• Contract processing
• "Booking fees"

Red flag: If they're charging more than £100 in admin fees, question it.

3. Main Deposit (Usually 1-5 Weeks' Rent)

Standard is 1-2 weeks' rent for PBSA. Private landlords can charge up to 5 weeks.

At £150/week, that's £150-750 upfront. Add your holding deposit and first rent payment, and you're looking at £500-1,500 before you've even moved in.

The "Bills Included" Trap

Most student accommodation advertises "bills included." But what does that actually mean?

What's Usually Included:

• Electricity
• Gas/heating
• Water
• Basic WiFi
• Building insurance

What's Often NOT Included:

Contents Insurance (£50-150/year) Your laptop, phone, bike - not covered by building insurance. You need contents insurance.

TV License (£169.50/year) If you watch live TV or BBC iPlayer, you legally need this. Many students don't pay it (not recommending, just observing).

Printing (£20-100/year) Some halls charge per page. Engineering and architecture students, budget more.

Laundry (£200-400/year) The big one. Most student halls charge per wash and dry:

• Wash: £2-4
• Dry: £1.50-3
• If you do 2 loads/week: £150-300/year minimum

WiFi Upgrades (£5-15/month)

"Bills included" often means basic WiFi. If you game, stream in 4K, or have multiple devices, you might need to upgrade.

The Move-In Costs

Bedding Pack (£30-100)

Some PBSA doesn't include bedding. You need:

• Duvet
• Pillows
• Sheets
• Mattress protector

Budget £50-100 if buying new, or bring from home.

Kitchen Starter Kit (£20-50)

Shared kitchens don't provide:

• Pots and pans
• Plates and bowls
• Cutlery
• Cooking utensils

IKEA does a student starter bundle for about £30.

Cleaning Supplies (£20-30)

You'd be surprised how many students forget this. Budget for:

• Dish soap
• Surface cleaner
• Toilet cleaner
• Bin bags
• Sponges

The Mid-Year Surprises

Maintenance Charges

Some providers charge for "callouts" if the issue is deemed your fault:

• Blocked toilet (if you blocked it): £50-100
• Lost key replacement: £25-75
• Lock change: £100+

Protect yourself: Read what counts as "tenant responsibility" in your contract.

Energy Bill Caps

"Bills included" sometimes has a cap. Exceed it, and you pay extra.

Common scenario: The cap is set for September-April usage. If it's a cold year, January-February can push you over, resulting in a surprise bill in March.

Cleaning Charges at Move-Out

This is where they get you. Common charges:

• "Professional clean" required: £80-150
• Oven cleaning: £30-50
• Carpet cleaning: £50-100
• "Not left as found": vague charges

The True Cost Calculator

Let's add it all up for a "£150/week, bills included" room:

That's 15% more than the headline price.

How to Avoid the Worst Costs

1. Ask Specifically About Laundry

Is it free? If not, what are the costs? Some newer buildings include free laundry as a selling point.

2. Check the Energy Cap

Is there one? What happens if you exceed it? Get this in writing.

3. Read the Move-Out Cleaning Requirements

Do you need a "professional clean"? What standard is expected? Document this.

4. Look for All-Inclusive Providers

Some providers genuinely include everything. It's worth paying slightly more for true all-inclusive than getting surprised.

5. Budget 15-20% Above Advertised Rent

If the listing says £150/week, budget for £175/week. You'll thank yourself later.

Red Flags in Listings

Watch out for:

• "Bills included*" (what's the asterisk hiding?)
• "From £X/week" (the cheapest room, probably gone)
• No mention of laundry costs
• Vague move-out requirements
• High admin fees

The Bottom Line

Student accommodation is rarely as cheap as advertised. Budget 15-20% extra for hidden costs, ask specific questions before booking, and document everything at move-in.

The students who avoid nasty surprises are the ones who ask uncomfortable questions upfront.

Compare properties with transparent pricing →

Last updated: January 2026. Based on analysis of 1,300+ UK student properties.

Disclaimer: These are estimates based on typical costs. Your actual costs may vary. Always check specific charges with your provider.