Choose a suitable accommodation
There are several types of student accommodation options available to students in the UK. Academic institutions normally have accommodation service to help you find a suitable place of residence, whether for long, medium or short-term periods.
Here are some of the most common types of international student accommodation in the UK:
Halls of residence
Halls of residence are typically purpose-built developments, occupied by a large number of students. They are owned and managed by UK universities and are often located within or nearby the university campus. Halls are normally divided into flats (apartments) with individual furnished bedrooms organised around corridors with a shared kitchen and lounge area. Typically, with older halls bathrooms can also be shared, although en-suite rooms are usually more common.
Internet connectivity and utility (gas, electricity, etc) are normally all included in the rent and the contract will state this. Things like WIFI, a laundry, security, and cleaners are to be expected but it is worth checking in advance. The accommodation is generally available for the full calendar year or during term-time.
Private halls of residence
Private student halls are usually owned and managed by a third party company, rather than a specific university and you will often find them in the centre of the town or city where you are studying. They share many of the same features as university halls of residence, such as bills and shared spaces, but are usually more expensive. Facilities like pool tables, TV, and gyms are more common in private halls and the buildings themselves are much newer with more amenities and contemporary interiors. Some commercial providers also provide some shared rooms which offer students a considerable cost saving.
Rooms in Private Halls can vary in price depending on the length of contract, size of the room and location.
Lodgings or family homestay
Homestays are a popular choice for international students living in the UK. They offer the benefit of a family atmosphere; the opportunity to meet new people and experience a different culture, and the chance to practice your English. Your hostfamily provide you with care, support and attention while you are staying with them. They may be around the same age as your parents; others might be younger or older. Some have their own children who will feel like your own sibling. They will all want you to feel at home and join in with their family life.
You will be sharing the facilities along with your host family and you will be expected to fit in with the lifestyle of the family. Some or all meals may be provided by your host family. Many host families are experienced in housing international students and are well aware of the challenges they may face while living in the UK.
Private renting (Apartments or Houses)
There are many letting agents and private landlords advertising properties to rent for students. Renting privately is wholly independent, and you will be responsible for bills and cleanliness of the property.
If you’re looking for a property on the internet, please be vigilant or if someone is helping you find accommodation privately make sure you can trust them. You are likely to be asked to pay an admin fee to the agent or even a holding fee to take the property off the market before signing a tenancy agreement. However, it is unusual to pay a deposit and rent in advance when securing a property. Do not hand your money over to anyone advertising rental properties online until you are certain the letting agent is genuine. Make sure you always ask for copies for any documents such as tenancy agreements to be sent to you in advance before you arrive in the UK. When you are required to pay a deposit, you should get written information about where the deposit has been protected and how to get it back by the end of the tenancy.
If you come across any terms in the agreement that you do not understand, you can ask for help from an independent body. Your student advice centre or international student adviser should be able to help you and explain any terms you do not understand.
Rent payments in the UK are made by a bank transaction or card but if you prefer to pay in cash make sure you ask for a receipt for any money paid.
Here are some of the top and most reliable property apps that help you browse the latest properties, and get the information you need:
· Rightmove UK
· Zoopla Property
· OnTheMarket
Student Shared Accommodation (flat or house share)
Student shared accommodation is also one of the popular choices among international students looking for a room to rent while studying in the UK. Flat or house sharing is when two or more people live in the same accommodation; each person will have their own bedroom and shared areas like bathrooms, loving rooms and kitchens. There are rooms available to rent in student flats and houses throughout the UK.
One of the advantages of renting a room in a house share is the cheap renting cost compared to renting your own accommodation as you only pay for a single room instead of a full property. Also, if you are eager to extend your social circle and make friends from all around the world, moving into shared accommodation is a great choice for you.
If you’re looking for a room to rent in a student flat or house anywhere in the UK, ShareRoom is one of the UK’s busiest shared accommodation site that can help you find the right student accommodation that suits your needs.
