Student accommodation guide #2: private accommodation

It may be that you find yourself renting a house or flat privately from a local landlord or letting agent right off the bat – something most students end up doing in second year and beyond anyway. 
 

• Read more: how to pick the right student accommodation

Missed out on university accommodation?

If you get your uni place at the last-minute (i.e. through Ucas Clearing), you may find yourself looking for a house or flat in town right of the bat.

It might sound daunting to jump into such an arrangement with strangers (and organising this all before you’ve even properly moved to uni). But your housing office will be able to support you in a number of ways (not just when it comes to halls on campus):

• Good rental contacts: universities usually have approved lists of landlords and student-friendly lettings agents
• Helpful advice: get tips on what to look out for when you view properties and things you need to know before signing a tenancy agreement
• Match you up with potential housemates: they'll be aware of individuals in similar situations and can put you in touch with them

 
Don't have a place in halls? Get advice for finding housemates to move in with here.
 

Choosing private accommodation: need-to-knows 

Here are the pros and cons to weigh up before going down the private rental route, especially in first year of university. 

Pros of private accommodation

• Save money: university-managed accommodation is often more expensive (though it does include utility bills)
• Gain independence: you decide where you’re living and who with (granted from a smaller pool of students). You may find yourself more familiar with the local area than if you lived on campus in your first year - something that can help when choosing where to live (and where to avoid) in subsequent years
• Flexibility: you’ve got more choice on the area and type of accommodation you’d like

 

Cons of private accommodation

• Managing bills: you'll need to factor bills in over and above your rent (namely gas, electricity, water and internet), including setting up and managing these. Note, some landlords may include some or all of these in your rent – check this before signing anything.
• More to organise: you'll be dealing direct with a landlord or letting agent to sort out viewings
• Away from the action: you may find yourself outside the main campus which is often a hub for meeting up and activities. Plus you’ll need to travel in for classes
• Joint contracts: you may be asked to sign a joint contract. Be aware that this means you could be chased if someone else doesn't pay the rent. This is tricky when you don’t know your new housemates that well

Word of warning: do your research (and use your university housing office) before you start looking, to make sure you avoid some of the common landlord and letting agent pitfalls. 

Don't feel pressured to sign up to something you're not comfortable with – many unis or student unions offer a contract-checking service to ensure you're not being ripped off.
 

Typical costs: private accommodation vs. halls

Private accommodation is generally a cheaper option than university halls, but rent for university halls will also include utility bills (water, energy and internet).

That said it's hard to compare prices across the UK as the private rental market varies from city to city in terms of price, what you get for your money and competition (i.e. how early you need to start looking) as well as the type and style of housing available.

Bare in mind, though, that private accommodation contracts tend to cover the entire year rather than just university term time – so you may be paying rent for a period while you’re not actually living there. Some landlords and agents who offer student properties will cater to this, but you should check this before signing anything.
 

• Read more: electricity and gas bills survival guide