How to Find Student Accommodation: The Complete Guide (From Someone Who's Seen It All)

Finding student accommodation shouldn't be this stressful.

But it is. Because nobody tells you how it actually works. You're comparing properties with different contract lengths, different "bills included" definitions, different deposit schemes - and trying to make a decision that affects the next year of your life.

I've analyzed over 1,000 properties and talked to hundreds of students. Here's everything I wish someone had told me.

The Timeline: When to Do What

This is the single most important thing. Getting timing wrong means either missing out on good properties or paying too much.

| When | What You Should Be Doing | |------|--------------------------| | October-November | Start looking if you're a 2nd year+ | | January | First years should start now | | February | Active searching, viewings, comparing | | March | Book. Seriously, book by now. | | April | You're now fighting for leftovers | | May-June | Emergency mode. Take what's available. | | July+ | Hope for cancellations |

Why This Timeline Matters

The best properties (good location, reasonable price, decent provider) get booked first. Obviously.

By Easter, you're not choosing - you're settling. And settling often means:

• Worse location (further from campus)
• Higher price (premium for availability)
• Worse provider (the ones people avoided for a reason)

My #1 advice: Start in January, book by March.

Step 1: Set a Realistic Budget

Here's what different budgets actually get you:

Under £100/week

Cities: Sheffield, Liverpool, Leicester What you get: Basic en-suite room, shared kitchen, bills included Reality check: These exist and they're fine. Just don't expect luxury.

£100-150/week

Cities: Most cities outside London What you get: Decent en-suite, better facilities, more choice Reality check: The sweet spot for most students.

£150-250/week

Cities: Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh What you get: Good rooms, central locations, premium amenities Reality check: You're paying for the city as much as the room.

£250+/week

Cities: Central London, premium properties elsewhere What you get: Studios, prime locations, modern everything Reality check: Only if you can genuinely afford it.

The Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions

"£120/week bills included" and "£100/week plus bills" are NOT the same:

| Hidden Cost | Typical Amount | |-------------|----------------| | Electricity/Gas (if not included) | £10-15/week | | WiFi (if not included) | £5/week | | Contents insurance (if not included) | £2/week | | Laundry | £3-5/week | | Cleaning products | £2/week |

A "cheap" room with bills excluded can cost more than an expensive room with bills included. Always compare total costs.

Step 2: Understand the Market

Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA)

What it is: Buildings specifically designed for students. En-suite rooms, shared kitchens, communal areas.

Pros:

• Bills usually included
• Security (key fob entry, CCTV)
• On-site maintenance
• Social environment

Cons:

• Can feel institutional
• Less independence
• Provider quality varies wildly

Main providers: Unite, iQ, Host, Vita, Student Roost, Collegiate (see my rankings for which to trust)

Private Rentals

What it is: Regular houses/flats rented to students

Pros:

• Often cheaper per room
• More independence
• Live with friends you choose

Cons:

• Bills on top
• You're responsible for maintenance issues
• Landlord quality varies even more than providers
• Need to organize as a group

Which Should You Choose?

Go PBSA if:

• You're in first year and don't know people
• You value convenience over independence
• You want bills sorted
• You're international and want guaranteed housing

Go private if:

• You have a group of friends
• You want more space
• You're comfortable managing bills
• You're second year+

Step 3: Research Providers Properly

I can't stress this enough: not all providers are equal.

My rankings based on Trustpilot:

| Provider | Rating | My Verdict | |----------|--------|------------| | Host | 4.0★ | Best rated. Book confidently. | | UniAcco | 4.0★ | Good booking platform. | | Vita Student | 3.1★ | Premium, generally positive. | | Unite Students | 2.7★ | Biggest. Variable quality. | | iQ | 2.7★ | Similar to Unite. | | Student Roost | 2.4★ | Watch out for deposit issues. | | Collegiate | 1.5★ | Avoid if possible. |

But here's the thing: even good providers have bad buildings, and bad providers have acceptable buildings. Always research the specific property, not just the brand.

Step 4: Red Flags That Should Make You Run

Definite Scams

• Asking for cash deposits
• No proper contract
• Can't view the property (even virtually)
• Prices way below market rate
• "Landlord is overseas" and can't meet
• Pressure to pay immediately or "lose it"

Warning Signs (Not Definite Scams But Be Careful)

• Under 2.0★ on Trustpilot
• No reviews at all
• Contract terms that seem unusual
• Evasive answers to direct questions
• Won't provide landlord's full name and address

What to Verify

• Is the deposit in a government protection scheme? (Legally required)
• Does the landlord own the property? (Check Land Registry)
• Is there a valid gas safety certificate?
• Is there a valid EPC (Energy Performance Certificate)?

Step 5: Viewing Like a Pro

If You Can Visit In Person

Check:

• [ ] Water pressure (run the shower)
• [ ] Evidence of mould (especially bathroom, window frames)
• [ ] WiFi speed (ask to run a speed test)
• [ ] Door and window locks
• [ ] Heating works
• [ ] State of communal areas
• [ ] Noise levels (visit at different times if possible)

Ask:

• "What do current residents complain about most?"
• "What's the average maintenance response time?"
• "What happened during any issues last year?"

If You Can Only View Virtually

• Request a LIVE video tour, not pre-recorded
• Ask them to show "unimportant" areas (bin storage, laundry room, corridors)
• Ask for photos of the exact room you'd get
• Request contact with a current resident

Step 6: Before You Sign

The Contract Checklist

• [ ] What's the exact contract length? (weeks matter)
• [ ] What's included in rent? (get this in writing)
• [ ] What's the deposit and how is it protected?
• [ ] What's the notice period?
• [ ] What are the cancellation terms?
• [ ] What's not allowed? (guests? pets? smoking?)
• [ ] Who's responsible for what maintenance?

Move-In Day Protection

The #1 cause of deposit disputes: failure to document existing damage.

On move-in day:

1. Take photos of EVERYTHING (walls, floors, appliances, furniture)
2. Take video walking through each room
3. Note every existing mark, stain, or issue
4. Email these to yourself (creates a timestamp)
5. Report issues to the landlord IN WRITING immediately

This single step can save you hundreds of pounds when you move out.

For International Students

Extra considerations:

Guarantors

Many providers require a UK-based guarantor. Options if you don't have one:

• Guarantor replacement services (Housing Hand, UK Guarantor)
• Paying extra rent upfront (some providers accept this)
• University guarantor schemes (check if yours offers this)

Timing

You often need to wait for visa confirmation before booking. This puts you behind domestic students. Start researching early even if you can't book yet.

Helpful Providers

Some providers specialize in international students:

• UniAcco
• Amber Student
• Some PBSA providers with international offices

My Final Advice

1. Start early. I can't say this enough.
2. Set a realistic budget. Include everything.
3. Research the specific property. Not just the provider.
4. Document everything. Especially at move-in.
5. Read the contract. All of it.
6. Trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is.

Finding accommodation is stressful, but it's not complicated. The students who have bad experiences are usually the ones who rushed, didn't research, or didn't document.

Don't be that student.

Start your search →

Last updated December 2025