Student Roost Reviews: Why 2.4 Stars Should Make You Think Twice
I'm going to be straight with you.
Student Roost has a 2.4-star rating on Trustpilot from 665 reviews. That's below the industry average. That's below competitors like Unite (2.7) and iQ (2.7). That's concerning.
But ratings don't tell the whole story. Some students have perfectly fine experiences. Others have nightmares. I read through the reviews to understand the difference.
Here's what I found.
The Numbers
Trustpilot Rating: 2.4 out of 5 stars Total Reviews: 665 Properties: 55 across the UK Price Range: From around £80/week
2.4 stars puts Student Roost in the "think twice" category. Not avoid-at-all-costs, but definitely proceed with eyes open.
The Main Problem: Deposits
Let's talk about the elephant in the room.
If there's one thing Student Roost reviews mention more than anything else, it's deposits. The pattern is consistent:
"Took £400 from my deposit for cleaning and damages. The flat was cleaner when I left than when I arrived."
"6 months to get my deposit back. Six. Months. Had to file a formal dispute."
"Charged for things that were damaged before I moved in. Didn't have photos to prove it. Expensive lesson."
"They find things to charge for. It's like they have a quota."
What's happening here?
Student Roost seems to have an aggressive approach to end-of-tenancy deductions. Whether this is company policy or individual building managers, the pattern is clear across multiple properties.
The lesson: If you book with Student Roost, documentation isn't optional. It's survival.
How to Protect Yourself
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At move-in: Take 200+ photos. Every wall. Every mark. Every appliance. Video everything with a date stamp.
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Immediately after: Email these photos to the building AND to yourself. Create an undeniable paper trail.
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During tenancy: Report any issues IN WRITING. Keep copies.
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Before move-out: Take more photos. Consider paying for professional cleaning (keep receipt).
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At check-out: Be there if possible. Challenge anything you disagree with on the spot.
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After: If they withhold deposit unfairly, dispute through the deposit scheme (DPS, MyDeposits, or TDS). You have rights.
Other Common Complaints
Maintenance
"Reported damp in October. Still waiting in February. They painted over it once."
"Heating broke in winter. Three weeks to fix. No rent reduction."
"Maintenance request system is a black hole. Log it and pray."
The pattern matches other large providers but seems worse than average at Student Roost. Big properties, slow response, students feel ignored.
Communication
"Nobody answers the phone. Emails go unanswered for days."
"Said they'd get back to me. Never did. Had to chase five times."
"Reception staff seem overwhelmed. It's not their fault."
Student Roost appears understaffed in many buildings. This leads to frustrated staff and frustrated students.
Room Quality
"Mould in the bathroom from day one. Was told it's normal."
"Furniture was old and worn. Not what I saw online."
"Walls paper thin. Could hear every conversation next door."
Standard complaints you see across the industry, but the frequency seems higher with Student Roost.
What People Like
It's not all negative. Here's what positive reviews mention:
Location
"5 minutes from campus. Can't complain about that."
Student Roost properties are generally well-located near universities.
Price
"Cheapest option I could find. Got what I paid for."
They're often competitively priced, which is why budget-conscious students book despite the reviews.
Some Staff
"The reception team at my building were lovely. Did their best."
Individual staff members often get praised. The problems seem systemic, not personal.
Should You Book Student Roost?
Let me break this down honestly.
Consider Student Roost If:
- Budget is your top priority - They're often cheaper than competitors
- Location is perfect - Sometimes they have the best-located property for your uni
- You're extremely organised - Will document obsessively
- No better alternatives exist - In some cities, options are limited
Avoid Student Roost If:
- You hate admin - You WILL need to chase and document
- Deposit protection worries you - Higher-than-average dispute rate
- Better alternatives exist in your city - Why take the risk?
- You want hassle-free housing - This isn't it
Alternatives to Consider
| Provider | Rating | My Take | |----------|--------|---------| | Host | 4.0 stars | Best rated, worth the premium | | Vita Student | 3.1 stars | Better than Student Roost | | Unite | 2.7 stars | Slightly better rated | | iQ | 2.7 stars | Slightly better rated | | Student Roost | 2.4 stars | Below average |
If Host or Vita have properties near your university, they're worth the extra cost. If you're choosing between Student Roost and Unite/iQ for similar prices, I'd lean toward Unite/iQ (marginally better track record).
Student Roost Properties by City
Student Roost has 55 properties. Quality varies by building. Here's what I found:
Check Carefully
These cities have more complaints:
- Sheffield (multiple buildings, mixed feedback)
- Nottingham (deposit issues mentioned frequently)
- Coventry (maintenance concerns)
Do Your Research
Every building is different. Before booking:
- Google "[Building name] Student Roost reviews"
- Check Trustpilot for building-specific comments
- Ask on r/UniUK or your university's Reddit
- Ask your uni's accommodation office for intel
The Bottom Line
Student Roost isn't the worst provider (that honour goes to Collegiate at 1.5 stars), but it's below average.
The deposit situation is the main concern. Too many students report losing money unfairly. This is stressful, time-consuming, and expensive.
If you book with Student Roost:
- Document obsessively - This is non-negotiable
- Keep all written communications - You may need them
- Know your rights - Deposits must be protected by law
- Be prepared to dispute - Many students have to
If you have alternatives at similar prices, consider them first.
My rating: 4/10 - Below average, significant concerns
See Student Roost properties View all provider rankings
Based on analysis of 665 Trustpilot reviews, December 2025