7 Student Accommodation Mistakes That Cost Students Thousands (Learn From Their Pain)

Every year, thousands of students lose money on accommodation.

Not because of bad luck. Because of avoidable mistakes.

I've collected the most expensive errors from Reddit threads, Trustpilot reviews, and student forums. Real students, real money lost, real lessons.

Don't be next.

Mistake #1: Not Taking Move-In Photos

Cost: £200-800

"They charged me £400 for 'damage' that was there when I moved in. I had no proof. I lost." — Reddit user, r/UniUK

This is the #1 most expensive mistake students make.

What happens:

1. You move in
2. You notice some marks/damage but don't document it
3. You move out
4. Landlord charges you for "damage"
5. You have no evidence it was pre-existing
6. You pay

The fix:

On move-in day, before you unpack ANYTHING:

1. Photograph everything - Every wall, every surface, every appliance
2. Include timestamps - Phone cameras do this automatically
3. Email photos to yourself - Creates a dated, verifiable record
4. Video walkthrough - Narrate any existing damage
5. Report issues in writing - Email them to your landlord/provider immediately

This takes 30 minutes. It can save you hundreds.

Mistake #2: Booking Without Viewing

Cost: £3,000-8,000 (entire year's rent)

"The photos showed a nice room. Reality was a mouldy box. Contract was non-cancellable. Worst year of my life." — StudentRoom forum

What happens:

1. Listing shows beautiful photos
2. You book remotely (common for international students)
3. You arrive to find reality doesn't match
4. You're locked in for 51 weeks
5. No refund, no escape

The fix:

• Always view in person if possible
• If remote, demand a live video tour - Not a pre-recorded video, a live walkthrough
• Ask to see YOUR actual room - Not a "show room"
• Request recent photos with a newspaper/phone showing today's date
• Check Google Maps Street View for the area
• Read reviews mentioning "photos vs reality"

If they refuse live viewing, that's your answer.

Mistake #3: Ignoring the Contract Length

Cost: £500-2,000

"I signed a 53-week contract without checking. That's 12 summer weeks I didn't need at £150/week. £1,800 wasted." — Reddit user

What happens:

1. You focus on weekly rent
2. You don't check contract dates
3. Contract runs 51-55 weeks
4. You pay for summer weeks you don't use
5. Sublet isn't allowed

The fix:

• Check exact start and end dates
• Calculate TOTAL cost, not weekly
• Compare: 42 weeks × £160 (£6,720) vs 51 weeks × £140 (£7,140)
• Ask about summer release clauses
• Check sublet policy (most PBSA doesn't allow it)

The "cheaper" weekly rate is often more expensive overall.

Mistake #4: Assuming "Bills Included" Means Everything

Cost: £400-800/year

"Bills included! Great, I thought. Then I discovered laundry was £5/load, WiFi upgrade was £15/month, and contents insurance wasn't covered. 'Bills included' is a lie." — Trustpilot review

What "bills included" usually means:

• ✅ Electricity
• ✅ Gas/heating
• ✅ Water
• ✅ Basic WiFi (often slow)
• ✅ Building insurance

What it usually DOESN'T include:

• ❌ Laundry (£300-400/year)
• ❌ Contents insurance (£50-150/year)
• ❌ WiFi upgrades (£60-180/year)
• ❌ TV license (£170/year)
• ❌ Printing (varies)

The fix:

Before booking, ask specifically:

1. "Is laundry free? If not, what's the cost per wash/dry?"
2. "What WiFi speed is included? What does upgrading cost?"
3. "Is there an energy usage cap?"
4. "What's NOT included in bills?"

Get answers in writing.

Mistake #5: Booking With a D-Tier Provider

Cost: £500-1,500+ in stress, disputes, and deductions

"Cheapest option! I thought I was being smart. Then maintenance took 3 months, my heating broke in December, and they kept £600 of my deposit for 'cleaning.' Smart savings turned into expensive nightmare." — Reddit user

What happens:

1. You find the cheapest provider
2. You ignore the 1.5-2.0 star Trustpilot rating
3. Things break, nobody fixes them
4. Move-out becomes a deposit battle
5. "Savings" evaporate in deductions and stress

The fix:

• Check Trustpilot before booking (minimum 2.5★ recommended)
• Read the negative reviews - What are the patterns?
• Calculate the REAL cost: £10/week cheaper × 51 weeks = £510 savings... minus £400 deposit deduction = £110 savings + year of stress

Sometimes the cheapest option is the most expensive.

Mistake #6: Not Reading the Cancellation Policy

Cost: £1,000-8,000

"My course got cancelled. My accommodation couldn't be cancelled. Paid £6,000 for a room I never used." — StudentRoom forum

What happens:

1. Something changes (course, health, family, visa)
2. You need to leave early
3. Contract has no exit clause
4. You're liable for entire year's rent
5. No refund

The fix:

Before signing, find answers to:

1. "What if my course is cancelled/I don't get my visa?"
2. "What if I need to leave for health reasons?"
3. "Can I find a replacement tenant?"
4. "What's the penalty for early termination?"
5. "Is there a cooling-off period after signing?"

Look for:

• Student cancellation clauses (if course falls through)
• Diplomatic clauses (if visa denied)
• Replacement tenant policies
• Health/compassionate exit options

If there's NO exit clause, think twice.

Mistake #7: Paying a Deposit to an Unprotected Scheme (Private Rentals)

Cost: Entire deposit (£500-1,500)

"Landlord seemed nice. Paid £1,200 deposit. End of year, he ghosted. Deposit wasn't protected. Lost everything." — r/HousingUK

This only applies to private rentals, not PBSA.

In England and Wales, private landlords MUST protect your deposit in one of three schemes:

• Deposit Protection Service (DPS)
• MyDeposits
• Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS)

What happens when they don't:

1. Landlord keeps your deposit
2. You have no recourse
3. Actually, you can sue for 1-3x the deposit... but most students don't know this

The fix:

For private rentals:

1. Ask which scheme protects your deposit BEFORE paying
2. Get the protection certificate within 30 days of paying
3. Verify it yourself on the scheme's website
4. If not protected: You can claim 1-3x compensation through small claims court

If a landlord won't tell you the protection scheme, don't pay.

The Money You'll Save

If you avoid these 7 mistakes:

Total potential savings: £1,000-5,000+

That's not hypothetical. Students lose this money every single year.

The 10-Minute Checklist

Before you book anything:

✅ Provider has 2.5+ stars on Trustpilot ✅ You've viewed (in person or live video) ✅ Contract length is calculated in total cost ✅ "Bills included" specifics are in writing ✅ Cancellation policy is understood ✅ Deposit protection confirmed (private rentals) ✅ Move-in photo plan ready

Print this. Use it. Save money.

The Bottom Line

Every expensive mistake on this list was made by smart students who just didn't know.

Now you know.

The difference between a good year and a nightmare year often comes down to 30 minutes of research and a few uncomfortable questions before signing.

Do the work now. Thank yourself later.

Find accommodation with transparent policies →

Based on real student experiences from Reddit, Trustpilot, and StudentRoom. January 2026.

Disclaimer: General guidance only. Laws vary by country and situation. Check current regulations for your specific circumstances.