It’s that time again. We’re nearing the end of the academic year, and you might be thinking about moving out of your current accommodation and wondering when to start the search for a new place.
We know that finding housing in London can feel overwhelming and we at the Arts SU Advice service want to support you with your accommodation search. So, we’ve prepared some advice on finding your new home for the next academic year!
When to look
It is usually suggested to look roughly 1 to 2 months before your intended move-in date. For example, if you are planning to move in before the summer break, it can be good to start looking in April. Students looking to move in September may start the search a little later. Occasionally some properties may be listed earlier, so there is no strict rule! It can be helpful to browse housing options earlier, to gain an understanding of the market.
Where to look
Housing and real estate agent websites often have a huge number of listings, and it isn’t always easy to know where to begin your search.
It’s also worth noting that many popular websites such as Rightmove and Spare Room are not regulated and can be subject to scams. Read carefully and be cautious when browsing housing platforms. We’d advise reading over our blog on how to spot a housing scam too, which can be found here. And remember, if in doubt, you can contact our team for further advice.
We’d advise starting your search on the following sites:
- University of London Housing Services (ULHS)
ULHS provides free private housing advice to students across London. You can also use the ULHS Property Platform to find accommodation from reputable landlords, letting agents, and private halls providers. ULHS have a team of solicitors who can provide legal advice on housing related issues, such as contracts, deposits, disrepair concerns and other issues with landlords or letting agents. This can be a helpful resource if you find yourself facing more complex problems. Both enrolled students and offer holders can use ULHS services, once you have your offer letter you can sign up for an account!
2. UAL/ArtsSU Housing Facebook Group
We also have our very own platform designed to help UAL students to find housing. Join the group to find listings for accommodation and flat shares or post about your search! This Facebook Group is for UAL students only but requests from offer holders are also accepted once you have received your student ID number!
Is the agent legitimate?
It’s also a good idea to check the legitimacy of the letting agent before moving forward with anything else. This can be done via the Property Agent Checker, where you can find legitimate agents in your area.
All letting agents and property managers in England must join a Redress Scheme. On the scheme’s website, you can check if an agent is correctly registered, and file complaints regarding unresolved issues with an agent.
Unfortunately, housing scams are not uncommon, so it is still a good idea to get advice from us and have your contract checked before you sign, regardless of which agent you are signing with.
What to consider
We all look for different things when house hunting, here are some of the key factors in deciding if the property is right for you:
There are benefits to living more centrally in London, but also many benefits to living outside of London! When considering locations, think about public transport- where is the closest station? How frequently does the transport run? How much will it cost to get to university each day?
If you plan on living in London, you can use the Tfl journey planner to check out your route options, including accessibility options!
Renting in London is not cheap, so it can be helpful to set a price range for yourself before you start searching. If you are looking to rent privately, also keep the utility costs in mind. It’s a good idea to ask for a copy of previous utility bills for the property you are viewing, so you have a rough idea of the cost.
If you are looking for a shared house with friends, have an honest conversation about budgets before viewing any properties.
Make sure you have allowed plenty of time for moving in and moving out, and that you have somewhere to stay both before and after the tenancy. The move-in date, duration of the tenancy, and notice period should be clearly stated in the contract. You can check out our blog on contract types and your rights here.
Also, do remember that UAL launched their very own guarantor scheme this year. This means that if you need a UK Guarantor but do not have one, UAL’s Housing Hand scheme may be able to help. You can find more information on the costs of this and how to apply here.
Renting with others
If you are renting with others, your shared house may need to be a licensed HMO (House in Multiple Occupation). This usually applies to properties with three or more tenants from more than one household sharing facilities like the kitchen and bathroom. This is important because landlords of HMO properties have extra legal responsibilities. Your rights and options may also be impacted by whether you are in a joint or individual tenancy agreement, more info on this can be found in our blog here!
How the Arts SU can support you
Are you looking for housing advice? Book a free appointment with an Arts SU advisor - appointments are available both virtually and in-person. We can advise on:
- Contract checking
- Disrepair issues
- Making a complaint
- Getting your deposit back
& much more! If in doubt, get in touch and we will let you know if we can help you or signpost you to the people who can!
Useful Resources