We all have different criteria when it comes to finding the right place to live. But there are a few general points that are important to consider.
Location & Price
The cost of renting in London can vary a lot depending on the location of the property. So it's important to think about the balance between renting cost with travel time and cost. Here is a calculation of the average cost of rent across London and also a visual map.
Transport
It's a good idea to get familiar with all the available public transport near your accommodation. You can explore London's tube and rail connections as well as bus routes on the TFL website, and find out the closest stops from where you live. This can be very useful for assessing how convenient an accommodation actually is for you.
Travelcards
If you're 18 or over, a student and living in a London borough, you can get discounted travel with an 18+ Student Oyster photocard. This offers a 30% discount on the standard adult-rate Travelcards and Bus & Tram season tickets (the discount doesn't apply to pay-as-you-go Oyster travel). You'll need to apply online once you have enrolled on your course. You can find out more information and apply on the TfL website.
You can also check Travelcard prices and price caps when travelling between zones. This can be helpful when considering which part of London you want to live in.
Alternatively, you can also save money on travels by adding a 16-25 Railcard or a 26-30 Railcard unto your 18+ Student Oyster photocard to travel on the Tube, London Overground, TfL Rail and most National Rail services in London. This can save you 34% on pay-as-you-go off-peak fares and daily caps.
Amenities
On top of the cost of rent, amenity is also something to keep in mind. Student halls, whether UAL halls or private halls, are usually inclusive of all utility fees (electricity, water, heating, Wi-Fi). But for private rented properties where rent don't usually include utility bills, to get a rough idea on how much you will be paying for these, you can consider requesting a copy of previous amenity bills.
Have a look at what additional facilities are offered by your accommodation and your needs. Gym, study room, concierge etc., could all be important factors to consider in your search.
Living with others
Do you like your personal space or do you prefer some company? Whether you want to live alone or share your space with others, there are many options available. For example, student halls offer different room types where you can have your own kitchen and bathroom, or share them with others.
Renting a private property with flatmates is often cheaper than renting alone. If you are looking for flatmates, UAL/Arts SU Housing Group on Facebook
is a good place to get started. ULHS also has a Flatmate Finder Facebook Group to help student find the right people to rent together with.
Know Before You Sign
View Your Property In Person
We recommend that where able, all students view their prospective property in person before signing any contracts or agreements. This is so to ensure that the property meets your needs and is presented as advertised. Unfortunately, many scam agencies and landlords will take advantage of remote viewings to hide disrepair and property issues, and in some cases, present fake and non-existent properties.
We understand that viewing in person before signing is impossible for many students. In this case, we would always recommend speaking to one of our advisors so we can help you identify any concerns.
Understand your Contract
It is very important that you have fully read and understood your contract before you sign, so we recommend having your contract checked by a professional. There are several resources that offer this support for free! Our team at the Arts SU Advice Team can help by reading your contract with you and giving guidance on important or worrying clauses. Alternatively, the ULHS has produced a guide to help you check your contract yourself, though we do not recommend this instead of professional advice.
Email an Advisor Book an Appointment Contract Checking Guide
Beware of scams!
Fraudsters often target students, especially vulnerable and international students through advertisements, and often on large property websites. Be careful when you see a listing that seems too good to be true, or if you are asked to send a deposit without having viewed the property.
It is always a good idea to check the legitimacy of your letting agent through the redress scheme. All agents must join the redress scheme if they are dealing with residential properties in the UK or a letting agent/property manager in England or Wales.
If you have seen a property and would like some guidance on its legitimacy, speak to one of our advisors via the links below.