Second Year Housing: The Complete No-BS Guide

It's October of first year. You've been at uni for three weeks.

And suddenly everyone's talking about houses for NEXT year.

Wait, what?

Yeah. The second year housing market is chaos. Let me explain what's happening and what you should actually do.

Why Everyone Leaves Halls

First, let's address the obvious question: why do 90% of students leave university halls after first year?

1. Price

Unis increase rent every year. Second year halls are often £20-40/week more expensive than first year. Meanwhile, a shared house costs less.

2. Freedom

No inspections. No guest policies. No quiet hours. You're an adult.

3. Living with friends

After a year of random flatmates, people want to choose who they live with.

4. Unis prioritise freshers

Many universities don't even offer halls to second years. Limited spaces go to specific groups (international students, postgrads, etc).

Your Three Options

Let's break down what's actually available:

Option 1: Private Rented House (Most Popular)

You and 3-6 friends find a house from a letting agent or private landlord.

Pros:

• Cheapest option (often £70-100/week outside London)
• Total freedom
• Choose your housemates
• Garden, living room, proper kitchen

Cons:

• Bills NOT included (add £10-20/week)
• Maintenance is your problem to report
• Landlord quality varies wildly
• 12-month contracts (paying through summer)

Reality check: Finding a good house with good people is stressful. The "let's all live together" group chat from freshers often falls apart. People drop out. Drama happens.

Option 2: Private PBSA (Purpose-Built Student Accommodation)

Like halls, but not run by the uni.

Pros:

• Bills included
• Maintenance handled for you
• Security, communal spaces, events
• No housemate drama (you get your own room)
• Can go alone or with friends

Cons:

• More expensive than houses (usually)
• Some have longer contracts
• Less "adult" feeling than a proper house

My take: PBSA is underrated for second year. If your friend group is unstable, or you just want hassle-free living, it's worth the premium.

Option 3: Stay in Uni Halls (Rare)

Some unis let you stay. Usually specific blocks for returning students.

Pros:

• Easy, no searching required
• Support systems still there
• Good for international students

Cons:

• Usually most expensive option
• Limited availability
• Still has the rules and restrictions

The Timeline That Actually Matters

Here's what happens and when:

October-November (Year 1)

• People start talking about housing
• Friend groups form
• Viewing agents target first years

December-January

• Peak panic mode
• "All the good houses are going!"
• Students rush into decisions

February-April

• Calmer period
• Good houses still available
• Less pressure, better decisions

May onwards

• Leftover houses
• Can still find options
• PBSA has availability

The Housemate Problem

Let's be real.

Living with friends sounds amazing. Sometimes it is. Sometimes it destroys friendships.

I've read too many horror stories:

• The friend who doesn't pay bills on time
• The couple who break up mid-year and it's awkward forever
• The person who said they were "clean" but actually isn't
• The best friend who turns out to be unbearable 24/7

My advice:

1. Don't commit to housemates in October. You've known these people for 6 weeks.

2. Have honest conversations about cleaning, guests, noise, and bills BEFORE you sign anything.

3. Consider your options. PBSA means no housemate drama. You have your own room and bathroom. You see friends when you WANT to.

4. Don't be afraid to go with a smaller group or even live in PBSA alone. Some of the happiest students I've talked to did this.

What to Look For in a House

If you do go the private house route:

Non-Negotiables:

• ✓ EPC rating C or above (energy bills will kill you otherwise)
• ✓ Working boiler (check reviews of the landlord)
• ✓ Double glazing
• ✓ Actual photos (not stock images)
• ✓ Landlord responds to emails within 48 hours during viewing process

Red Flags:

• ✗ Pressure to sign immediately
• ✗ Landlord who doesn't provide certificates (gas safety, EPC, etc)
• ✗ "No viewings available" for weeks
• ✗ Deposit not protected in a scheme
• ✗ Contract that's way longer than 12 months

Nice to Have:

• ◦ Dishwasher (peace in shared kitchens)
• ◦ Separate living room
• ◦ Garden
• ◦ Dryer (no drying racks everywhere)

PBSA vs House: Quick Comparison

My Recommendation

Go with a house if:

• You have a solid, reliable friend group (not just people you met 6 weeks ago)
• You're organized with bills and cleaning
• You want the full "student house" experience
• Budget is tight

Go with PBSA if:

• Friend groups are unstable
• You value no-hassle living
• You're going abroad for a semester (easier to manage)
• You'd rather live alone but with social spaces available
• You can afford the premium

Whatever you choose:

• Don't rush in October
• View multiple options
• Read reviews of the landlord/provider
• Understand your contract fully

Find PBSA options →

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