Guide to student accommodations

If you’re going to university and looking for student accommodation, this guide can help you understand the student rental process.

Important for renters in England: rules for many private rented tenancies change from 1 May 2026 under the Renters’ Rights Act. The rules that apply can differ depending on the type of student accommodation you choose, so it’s worth checking whether you are renting a private student house or flat, or purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA). From 1 May 2026, Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions are abolished in the private rented sector and assured tenancies move to a periodic tenancy model. Private PBSA that meets the statutory exemption may be treated differently.

Before you find your perfect student home

How much can you afford?

Think about how much the rent is and whether it’s quoted per person per week (PPW) or per calendar month (PCM). You should also check what is included in the rent.

Does the rent include bills, or are gas, electricity, water, broadband and other household costs extra? In many shared houses, bills are separate, so make sure you budget for the full cost of living there. Full-time students are usually exempt from council tax, but you should always check the rules that apply to your household and local authority.

Where do you want to live?

Think about how far you want to live from your university, campus or placement location. If you will be travelling regularly, include transport costs in your budget.

Who do you want to live with?

Student homes come in all sizes, from smaller shared flats to larger houses for groups. Decide how many people you want to live with before you start your search.

It’s also worth thinking carefully about who you’ll be sharing with. In a shared home, you may be sharing bills, housework and responsibility for looking after the property, so choose people you expect to live well with over the academic year.

Who will give you a reference?

Landlords and letting agents will usually carry out referencing checks. Because many students do not yet have a renting history or full-time employment, you may be asked to provide a guarantor, often a parent or guardian.

A guarantor may be asked to cover unpaid rent or certain losses if the tenant does not meet their obligations, so make sure everyone understands the commitment before you agree to rent a property.

Understanding the type of student accommodation

Not all student accommodation works in exactly the same way.

Private student houses and flats

If you are renting a private student house, flat or shared HMO in England, the Renters’ Rights Act may apply from 1 May 2026. This means the tenancy system for many private renters changes, including the move away from fixed-term assured tenancies to periodic tenancies. Existing fixed terms are converted to periodic tenancies under the new system, and tenants can usually end the tenancy by giving notice.

Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA)

Some purpose-built student accommodation may be exempt from the assured tenancy system where it meets the relevant legal requirements and approved student housing codes. This means the rules may differ from those applying to a privately rented student house or flat.

Because the rules can differ depending on the accommodation type, always read the tenancy paperwork carefully and ask the letting agent or accommodation provider to explain how the arrangement works before you commit.

Time to find your student property

Many universities provide lists of approved landlords, accommodation providers or letting agents, which can be a useful place to start.

When viewing properties, here are some things to consider:

How much space do you need?

Make sure the accommodation has enough space for day-to-day student life, including studying, storage and any furniture or equipment you need.

Who manages the property?

If you rent through a lettings agent, ask whether repairs and day-to-day issues should be reported to the agent or directly to the landlord or accommodation provider. You should be told who is responsible for managing the property and how to report problems.

Is it safe to live in?

Check that the property has the required safety measures in place, including smoke alarms and any legally required certificates or checks. Ask to see the gas safety record where relevant, and make sure you understand how to report maintenance concerns.

Before you sign

Before you agree to rent a student property, make sure you understand:

• how much rent is due and when it must be paid
• what is included in the rent
• whether a guarantor is required
• who is responsible for repairs and maintenance
• what notice rules apply to your tenancy
• whether the accommodation is a private rented house or flat, or PBSA

From 1 May 2026, landlords in the private rented sector in England must provide certain tenancy information in writing, and landlords with existing written tenancies must provide the government’s information sheet by 31 May 2026.