Upon arriving at university, undergraduates’ attention will soon turn to where to live in the second year of their course. With limited housing stock and rising rents, competition is fierce to land the best deals. Whilst some universities provide accommodation, most students will head into the private rental sector, usually sharing with friends. Prospective tenants will, therefore, need to prepare accordingly for this change in their living situations and will need to factor in elements they often hadn’t previously needed to consider. Identifying the ideal shared flat or house in your university town will depend on many factors.
What is a shared student house?
For many undergraduates, living with friends at university is a traditional rite of passage and for those sharing a house, their first exposure to adult living. A university house is a rental property available to students. Unlike halls of residence and private halls, which are usually purpose-built, university houses have usually been converted or renovated to make them more suitable for shared occupancy.
Converted terraced or semi-detached houses are often custom-designed to meet student needs with communal areas, often in neighbourhoods filled with other student properties. Not only are they a social environment, but they also make student life cheaper by splitting the cost of rent and utility bills. They should usually be equipped with a shared kitchen, a communal space and at least one shared bathroom. A 2023 survey by Save The Student established that 46% of all students rent from a private landlord.
Sharing a student house
Deciding who to share with is an important decision. Leaving aside close friendships established over the previous 12 months, it is necessary to get an instinct over you are compatible living in the same shared space. There are emotional and psychological considerations to assess, as well as practical ones. Students unable to housemates are advised to use university forums and social pages to identify others in a similar position.
Deciding where to live
Careful consideration needs to be given as to where to live. Is the house walkable from campus or accessible by bicycle? This may save expensive public transport fares. Are the streets well-lit and secure at night? Is there a community of other student houses in the area? Are there other facilities and amenities nearby such as pubs, parks and shops? All of these factors should be assessed in an early meeting of your prospective housemates.
Property viewings
It goes without saying that before signing any tenancy agreement you should set up an appointment to view the property that interests you, with the landlord or letting agent. Online photos and descriptions are useful, but a close inspection of the building will allow you and your housemates to share observations on its size, quality and the wider local area, and give a better indication of whether it meets your collective needs.
Utilities
One of the perks of living in a hall of residence is that you don’t have to think about bills, so some students will be in for a shock when they enter the private rented sector. It is therefore important to anticipate the cost of energy bills as well as broadband and television licences.
Rents and student loans
Students will want to know if loans cover the cost of renting a shared house. This will often depend on how much you borrowed, what other outgoings you have and whether you are in London or elsewhere in the UK. It is also worth factoring in extra expenses, such as course material, textbooks, local transport costs to campus, and other general living expenses. Whilst loans may cover rents, they may not be enough to pay for additional gas, water and electricity bills, although all-student households are exempt from Council Tax. If the numbers don’t add up, you are advised to draw on parental support, get a part-time job, or apply for university bursaries or scholarships where applicable.
Student support services
There are additional financial options in the UK for students who need a Childcare Grant, Adult Dependant’s Grant or Parents’ Learning Allowance, whilst students with a disability, mental health condition, specific learning difficulty or long-term health condition may be eligible for a Disabled Student’s Allowance.
Counselling groups for students struggling to make ends meet include Student Minds who offer mental health support, The Student Room interactive forums which features advice from other students, Discover Uni which offers general information on higher education, and Money Helper which provides general financial guidance. International students are advised to consult UKCISA and UUK.
Written by Henry
