When to start looking for student accommodation 2024

Finding somewhere to live as a student can be a stressful experience, particularly if you’ve never rented before. You might not know where to start or what to do. 

We’re breaking down everything you need to know about searching for student accommodation to help make the process stress-free.

When should I start looking for student accommodation?

When to look for student accommodation will vary depending on the type of accommodation you’re looking for and the city you live in. If you want to live in a shared house (known as a house in multiple occupation or HMO), you should probably start looking between October and December for the following academic year. In most cities, student searches for HMOs tend to peak in November, but of course, this will change depending on where you live. 

This might seem like an early time to start looking for student accommodation but the market has become very competitive in recent years, so it’s important to be on the ball and stay prepared. 

If you’re looking for a studio apartment, you shouldn’t have to start looking as early. There is a more even spread of searches for studios across the year. While there is still a peak for searches between November and January, many students are still looking for studios in the summer and even into early September, right ahead of term starting. 

Decide your student housing preferences 

Before you start searching for student housing, you need to decide what you’re looking for. 

Think about location first. Is there a specific area or location where you’d like to live? Is it important for you to be close to the university campus or the city centre? Do you want to live somewhere with good transport links?

You also need to establish your budget (and those of your housemates if you’re living with others) so you can search within the right price range.

Then you can move on to thinking about other specifics, such as the number of bedrooms you’ll need, whether you want to rent with bills included or excluded, and any particular amenities that are important to you. Amenities could include things like a TV, a dishwasher, parking, bike storage, or disabled access.

Knowing what you want will help you narrow down your search and find your perfect property.

What’s the difference between a landlord and a letting agent?

When renting, you’ll either deal directly with the landlord of a property or you’ll speak to a property manager from a letting agent. But what’s the difference between the two?

The landlord is the owner of the property. Sometimes landlords choose to rent out their properties themselves, in which case they will be your direct point of contact.

Letting agents manage properties on the landlord’s behalf. In this case, you’ll liaise with the property manager who will act as a middleman between you and the landlord and sort out any issues. 

Where to look for student housing 

There are several different ways to find student accommodation, from searching online to finding somewhere via word of mouth. Try these options if you’re just starting your search:

Talk to other students

Other students will have been through the process of finding student accommodation in your city already. Speak to older students or friends who have already found their house this year and ask for recommendations. They might be able to recommend particular letting agencies or landlords (or give you some to avoid!). They might also be able to provide insight into the best channels to search through in your particular area. 

Search online

Of course, a great way to find somewhere to live is by searching online for student accommodation in your area. Googling student housing in your city might seem like an obvious way to find housing, but it can be challenging. With so many choices out there, it can be difficult to narrow down your options. Plus, lots of the properties on listings platforms that seem suitable might not be available to let to students.

StuRents is a listings platform specifically designed to make it easier for students to find their perfect house. It exclusively shows properties that are available to rent by students so you don’t need to worry. You can also filter by the preferences you established earlier, including location, price, and specific amenities to help narrow down your search faster. 

Speak to university housing officers 

Your university will have a housing office which can help point you in the right direction when you’re looking for student accommodation. Although a private rental arrangement will not be the responsibility of the university, nor need it necessarily involve them at all, your housing office might have relationships with certain letting agents or landlords in the city. They will certainly have had a lot of experience helping other students find housing, so it’s a good idea to check in with them if you’re struggling to find somewhere to live. They should be able to provide useful advice and recommendations. 

How to arrange a property viewing

Once you find a property listing that looks good, you should contact the property manager by emailing, messaging or calling them. In the message, you only need to say that you are interested in the property and would like to arrange a viewing. You can then offer some times you are available or state that you are flexible and provide your contact details. They should then get back to you. 

Alternatively, you can book viewings directly from the property listing on StuRents, without having to contact the property manager at all. Property managers can set when they are available for viewings on the platform and you will then be able to select a time that works for you, all without speaking to them directly. This can make things a lot quicker and save you the hassle of a lot of back and forth. 

What to look for in a student property viewing 

When thinking about what to look for at a property viewing, your preferences should come into play again. 

Location

When you go to a property viewing, you should first assess the key features of the property. This will probably start with the location. It will be easier to assess this once you’ve travelled to the house in person. Is the location convenient for you? Does the neighbourhood feel safe? Are there good transport links?

Layout

You can then think about whether you like the layout of the property. Are there going to be arguments over who gets the box room? Is one bathroom really enough for seven housemates? Is the living room big enough for all of you to sit comfortably? These are all important questions.

Furnishings and appliances 

If these boxes are ticked, you should consider whether the appliances and furnishings included suit your needs. For instance, does each room have a desk? Is there a dishwasher and a tumble dryer? Is the fridge-freezer big enough? Asking yourself these questions will help you narrow down the search. 

Practicalities 

Of course, you also need to look out for some practical things. See if there are any signs of damp, mould or pests. If there are, you probably don’t want to move forward with the property. 

You should also check that the property has all the necessary safety features. Make sure the locks are working and check for extra security, such as a bolt or chain. You should also ask if there is a functioning burglar alarm, fire alarm, and carbon monoxide detector.

Finally, pay attention to if anything needs obvious repair. It’s alright if something does need maintenance, just make sure that you draw attention to it and ask for an additional clause in your contract stating that this will be fixed before you move in.

What to do when you find a property you like 

Once you’ve viewed a property that you like, you should get together with your housemates as quickly as possible and make sure you’re all on the same page. Having a group chat to discuss housing can be useful for organising everything. 

Once you’re all happy, you should reach out to the property manager and tell them you’d like to move forward with signing the tenancy agreement. You will usually then be asked to pay a holding deposit while you do some admin, like providing a guarantor, going through the referencing process, and signing the tenancy agreement. Once the agreement is signed and your tenancy deposit is paid, you’re all done!

Alternatively, if you’re booking a room in private halls or purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) on StuRents, you can book directly from the listing and digitally sign the tenancy agreement at the click of a button. 

Find student accommodation with StuRents

Looking to find your perfect student house? StuRents is the perfect place to start your search. As the UK’s leading student accommodation platform, StuRents connects renters to over 750,000 beds across the country.

Start your search today and find your next home without the hassle.