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You are here: Home » Advice » Money and home » Housing for students

Student housing

Make the most of your time at university or college by knowing about your housing options – and what your rights and obligations are, whether you’re in halls of residence or private accommodation.

Most students have to live on very little money and aren't entitled to housing benefit. Finding a suitable place you can afford can be difficult but will ensure that your studies aren't disrupted by housing problems.

Finding out what's available

It's essential to check out your options. Most colleges and universities have an accommodation office or student welfare officer who can help you find a place to live. You could also check student noticeboards for vacancies in shared houses, or place an advert yourself saying what you are looking for. You could also check out websites that specialise in student accommodation. Not all options are available in all areas, so you'll need to be realistic about what you are prepared to accept. The type of tenancy or licence you have will affect your rights and what happens if you are threatened with eviction.

Halls of residence

Many colleges and universities have halls of residence. You usually get your own room and share cooking, bathroom and toilet facilities with other students. Some halls provide meals and bed-linen but most are self-catering. Many first year students are offered a place in halls before they start their course. If this happens, make sure you read any paperwork you receive and complete and return any forms on time. There aren't usually enough places for you to stay in halls throughout your course, so you may have to look at other options later on.

You should be given an agreement explaining the rights and responsibilities you have before you move in. In most cases it will say that you are an occupier with basic protection. This means that you can be evicted fairly easily but the college or university has to give you at least four weeks' written notice and get a court order before you have to leave. Take time to read your hall agreement to make sure you understand what it says before you sign it. If there is anything that is unclear or unfair, get advice. It may not be legally correct.

Most halls of residence are owned by the college or university but in some cases they are owned and managed by private companies. If this is the case, the college or university still decides who gets a place but the company is your landlord. It is responsible for collecting the rent and managing services such as cleaning and repairs.

College or university houses and flats

Some colleges and universities have flats and/or houses that they rent to students. They are usually very popular so it can be difficult to get a place. In most cases, mature students and people with children get priority.

In some cases, the college or university leases these properties from private landlords, housing associations or, less commonly, from the local council. If you are in this situation, it is important to check whether your landlord is the college/university or the owner of the property. Your landlord is responsible for carrying out any repairs needed and for dealing with any problems related to your tenancy or licence agreement.

In most cases you will be an occupier with basic protection if the university or college is your landlord. You will probably be an assured shorthold tenant if your landlord is a housing association or a private company or individual.

Other specialist student housing

Depending on your circumstances other options could include nurses homes, housing co-operatives and shared ownership schemes. For details about the options in your area, check with a local advice centre. They can also tell you whether councils, housing associations and other organisations in your area have housing specifically for students.

Privately rented accommodation

In many areas there is a lot of privately rented accommodation available. Some places are rented directly from the landlord and some are rented through a letting agency. You may be able to find a place to live:

in a bedsit or flat of your own;
in a shared flat or house;
as a lodger in a landlord's home.

As a student, you have the same rights as any other private tenant.

The quality and price of privately rented accommodation is very variable and private landlords can provide lots of different types of tenancies. You should always go and see the accommodation and read any paperwork involved before you agree to move in or sign any written agreements. Don't hand over any money until you're sure.

If you want to live alone, bedsits and lodgings are usually cheaper than flats. But if you share any accommodation with your landlord you will be an excluded occupier. This means that you have few rights and can be evicted very easily.

Many students prefer to share flats or houses with friends. You usually get more for your money if you are sharing and will be able to split the cost of the bills. If all of your flatmates are students, you don't have to pay council tax but you may need to get a certificate from your college or university to show to the council.

What to look for

The exterior:

the roof looks sound, there aren't any tiles missing;
the gutters and pipes aren't broken or leaking;
the window frames aren't rotten;
the windows aren't broken or cracked.

The interior:

no signs of damp - e.g dark patches, peeling wallpaper or flaking paint;
few signs of condensation such as mould on the walls;
there aren't any signs of pests, like slug trails and mouse droppings.

Gas and electricity:

the plugs don't get hot when switched on and there are plenty of sockets;
the wiring doesn't look old, there aren't any frayed cables;
the gas fire heats up properly and isn't heat stained (if it is it may be dangerous) and you know when it was last serviced and have been shown the valid Gas Safety Certificate;
the cooker works.

Plumbing:

there is hot water;
the taps all work properly;
the bath and basins aren't cracked, and the toilet flushes properly.

Security:

the external doors are solid with five-bar mortice locks;
the internal doors all have locks;
the windows all have locks;
does it have a burglar alarm? Use your bargaining powers to get one. It is in the landlord's interest as well as your own.

Safety issues

Gas Safety Certificates

All landlords now have to carry out annual gas safety inspections (with a CORGI registered engineer) by law and provide each tenant with a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate. If you are a new tenant, then you should be issued with a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate before you move in.

The Health & Safety Executive has a gas safety advice line on 0800 300363. In the event of an emergency call 0800 111999.

Electricity

Many landlords may hold a NICEIC certificate which proves that the property has had an electrical check within the last five years. Although this is recommended, it is not a legal requirement.

Fire Safety - furniture and furnishings

On 1 January 1997 the final phase of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988 came into force. This means that furniture and furnishings supplied in let accommodation must comply with the fire and safety requirements in the Regulations. All residential premises including flats, bedsits and houses where furniture is supplied as part of the let are covered by these regulations. The type of furniture covered by the regulations are: any upholstered furniture including chairs, sofas, children's furniture, beds, head boards (if upholstered), mattresses, scatter cushions, seat pads, pillows and even garden furniture if it is upholstered and can be used in the dwelling. Carpets, curtains and duvets are not covered by the regulations.

Carbon monoxide

If you have gas appliances in your house, carbon monoxide is a possible danger. It's invisible and odourless, but it can kill.

Watch out for:

gas flames that burn orange or yellow rather than blue;
sooty stains on or around your appliances;
solid fuels thats burn slowly or go out.

Know the symptoms:

unexplained drowsiness;
giddiness when standing up;
headaches;
sickness and diarrhoea;
chest pains;
unexplained stomach pains.

Household costs

Bills

clarify what is included in your rent. For instance, some landlords include water rates, others don't;
if possible, ask the previous tenants the rough cost of gas, electricity and water;
take readings of the relevant meters as soon as you can once the last tenants have left;
change the bills to your name with the relevant suppliers from the time you move in - decide whether joint names will be put on the bills or if the responsibility will be divided.

Insurance

don't think of doing without it - the number of burglaries and thefts in student houses is rising;
shop around to find the right insurance package for your requirements;
make sure that you're covered over the vacations.

Council Tax

properties where all the occupants are full-time students will be exempt. You may be asked to produce a certificate giving evidence of your student status; this certificate will be obtainable from your faculty office after you have registered on your course;
if one or more of the occupants of your house is not a student the house becomes taxable so you must clarify whether you are expected to pay anything towards the cost;
If you are unsure about your status with regard to Council Tax then seek advice from your Student Advice Centre.

TV Licence

Students are covered by the same licensing requirements as the rest of the population. A licence will be needed by a student living in halls, a bedsit or a flat. If you live in a shared house one licence is needed per house as long as you have a joint tenancy agreement. If you have separate agreements with the landlord you will need separate licences. If you want more information then contact TV Licensing.

Legal information

The Directgov website gives information about student housing and the legal contracts involved.

Advice for women

For your own personal safety, it is always advisable for you to view a property accompanied and try to arrange the appointment at a reasonable hour. However, there are advantages to viewing it after dark so that you can get an idea of how you will feel when walking home at night. It's important that you contact your university advice centre if you feel that you were in any way subjected to sexism or harassment during the appointment.