Student Accommodation Options

After the first year, students are not always guaranteed student housing on campus so renting privately is usually the obvious step. For most students the main options are to rent a flat or house with friends, join an existing house/flat share, or rent a single room.

Once you find a suitable place to rent you need to pay a deposit. This will be used by the landlord to cover any damage or missed payments - but is usually returned at the end of the tenancy.

Always get a written receipt for money paid to the letting agents or landlords, and ask them for an inventory of the contents in the house and their condition at the time you move in. 

Before moving into a house, landlords will often ask for a guarantor. This is someone who will agree to cover costs if you don't pay the rent or cause damage to the property, usually a parent or guardian.

Tenants have to sign a contract, also known as a tenancy agreement. Before you sign the document read it carefully. Remember that if your break the terms of your agreement, the landlord can kick you out.

If you run into difficulties, seek advice from the university, which will usually have accommodation advisors available.

After living on campus for his first year, Sabarinath chose to rent a flat in his second year. His experiences have taught him to be careful.

"Flatmates might be fun to hang out with and go clubbing, but they could also be the ones who leave the house in a complete mess and have absolutely no regard for the house and your belongings. Set expectations with your housemates as to what you expect of each other before you even go looking for a house."

As for landlords, make sure they are reputable and remember to negotiate before you move in, as it's easier and they are likely to listen to any requests you may have of the property.

If you're arranging to rent somewhere abroad, it's best if you can wait until you get there before signing any contracts or placing a deposit.

Other options that may be available include societies such as fraternities and sororities (popular in the US and Canada) and schemes which arrange for international students to stay with a local family.

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