How to find a place to rent if you are a student

Start by asking your university or college to help you find somewhere to live.

Your main options are:

• student halls of residence

• private renting - often in a shared house with other students

Halls of residence

Halls of residence are blocks of student accommodation. You usually share with other students.

Most universities will help you find a place in halls of residence for your first year.

The accommodation might be:

• owned by the university

• provided by a private company

Many large student accommodation providers sign up to the National Codes.

These set high property management standards for student accommodation.

Check if an accommodation provider is a National Code member.

Find an accredited private landlord

Lots of universities have landlord accreditation schemes.

Landlords on schemes have to meet your university's standards.

Check your university's website or ask your student union if there is a scheme.

Some schemes help you sort out disputes with your landlord.

Find a scheme on Accreditation Network UK.

Beware of private rental scams

Students are sometimes targets of rental fraud.

This is when someone tricks you into paying money for a property that does not exist or is already rented out.

Common warning signs are:

• the rent or the property advert look too good to be true

• you are asked to pay a holding deposit before a viewing

• you are asked to pay a large amount of rent in advance

• you are told to use a transfer service like Western Union or MoneyGram

Use Report Fraud to report a rental scam.

Viewings

Always visit the property before you:

• pay a holding deposit

• sign a tenancy agreement

See our rental property viewing checklist.

Watch out for illegal upfront costs or fees

If you rent from a private landlord or agent, there are legal limits on:

• holding deposits - no more than 1 week's rent

• rent in advance - no more than 1 month's rent

• tenancy deposits - no more than 5 weeks' rent

Most tenancy fees are banned.

Landlords and letting agents cannot charge you for things like:

• admin

• protecting your deposit

• credit and reference checks

Right to rent checks

You have the right to rent if you have the right to live in the UK.

Private landlords and letting agents in England have to check this.

You might be asked to show:

• your passport or immigration document

• a 'share code' which lets them check your immigration status online

Most university halls of residence do not need to do these checks.

More on right to rent checks.

Guarantors

Landlords and agents might ask you for a guarantor.

A guarantor is usually a parent or family member who agrees to pay your rent if you do not. 

Your guarantor will have to sign a guarantor agreement.

More on guarantors.

Check your tenancy agreement

Read everything the landlord or letting agent gives you.

Make sure you know what you're agreeing to before you pay money or sign a contract.

Your university might have advisers who can check your tenancy agreement for you.

Tenancies that include energy bills

Some tenancies include energy bills.

Check your contract for 'fair usage' clauses.

Fair usage usually means there is a limit on how much electricity, gas or water you can use. You might have to pay extra if you use more.

Talk to your landlord before you sign up if you think the limits are not fair.

It could be harder to change the amounts after you sign your tenancy agreement.

Do you have to pay council tax?

You do not have to pay council tax if everyone in your home is a full time student.

Tell your council that you're students in case they ask you to pay. You might need a document from your university or college that shows you're a student.

If you stop being a student

You might have to start paying council tax if you stop being a student.

Find out more about council tax for students from Citizens Advice.

Check your tenancy deposit is protected

A tenancy deposit is money to cover:

• rent if you miss payments

• any damage you cause

You should get your deposit back when you leave unless your landlord has a reason to keep it.

Check how deposits work in joint tenancies if you live with other tenants.

Your deposit must be protected with a scheme. This keeps your money safe.

Ask for an inventory

Your landlord or agent should do this when you move in.

It can help avoid disputes about your deposit at the end of your tenancy.

Take photos and videos if you do not have an inventory or do not agree with what it says.

How long your tenancy lasts

Most tenancies with private landlords roll over from month to month with no end date.

They are called assured tenancies.

When the academic year ends

Your landlord could ask you to leave if they want the property empty for new students.

They must give you at least 4 months' notice if they want you to leave.

More on leaving a student tenancy in the summer.

If you want to leave

You usually have to give 2 months' notice if you want to leave.

Speak to your housemates if it's a joint tenancy as the tenancy will end for all of you.

If you leave without ending your tenancy, you might:

• still owe rent after you move out

• not get your deposit back

Find our how to end your tenancy.

Repairs and conditions in your home

Your home should be safe to live in and in good condition.

Your landlord must:

• repair things in a reasonable time when you report them

• make sure there are yearly gas safety checks by a registered engineer

• put working smoke alarms on each floor of your home

Your student union or local council could help if there are bad conditions in your home.

Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)

You probably live in a house in multiple occupation (HMO) if you share with 2 or more people.

HMOs have to meet extra safety standards. Larger HMOs must also have a licence.

Ask your council if you do not know if your home has a licence.

Find your local council on GOV.UK.