Top 6 tips for finding a place to live
TOP TIP 1
Know when and where to start
When should I start looking?
London’s private rental housing market is a lot more fast-paced than in other University towns and cities. Properties are generally advertised a maximum of one or two months before they become available to move into.
Our Housing Fair marks the start of the student house-hunting season for the next academic year.
See the section on looking for accommodation for more information.
Where are properties advertised?
You can find adverts for accommodation on our property platform.
A small selection of our registered accommodation providers also advertise in this guide.
See the section on where to look for more information.
Where do students live in London?
There is no ‘student area’ in London and we do not promote any particular location above any other.
When thinking about where to live, you will need to consider rent levels, location and transport links.
See the section on budgeting tips for more information about living costs.
TOP TIP 2
Find the right housemates
It is important to think about what you are all looking for in a house-share. Good friends don’t always make the best housemates!
Living with people who have similar budgets and comparable attitudes could help avoid arguments over bills, cleaning and day-to-day living.
Ask yourself – can I really live with this person? It’s better to make those tough decisions at the start, rather than having doubts and ending up living with the flatmate from hell!
See the section on finding flatmates for more information.
Use our flatmate finder quiz to find out who your ideal flatmate might be.
TOP TIP 3
Research the landlord
or letting agent
Once you have found a property you like, it is important that you try to find out more about the landlord and/or letting agent offering it to you.
Have a look online to see what you can learn about your landlord or agent and their past renting history. You can use websites such as Ask Tenants to read reviews from current and past tenants.
Check whether the letting agent holds the correct accreditations and memberships. This can be a good indicator of how reliable they will be. See the section on letting agents for more information.
Check our information on common scams for important tips and advice.
You can also check whether your prospective landlord or letting agent has been fined or prosecuted for housing law offences using the Mayor’s Rogue Landlord and Agent checker.
Ask your landlord whether they are accredited; for example, with the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA). Membership requires a landlord to follow certain codes of conduct when dealing with tenants. A landlord may be more knowledgeable and proactive about their obligations if they are a member of a scheme.
Remember: If you are being asked to pay a holding deposit, security deposit and/or the first months’ rent, make sure payment details match the landlord’s name or letting agent company only.
If you are unsure about information you have found out about your landlord or agent, ask for clarity or seek advice from ULHS. An advisor can assist you to carry out further checks such as property ownership.
TOP TIP 4
Pay close attention when viewing properties
Look out for signs of damp or mould, broken electrical switches or sockets and signs of pest infestation.
If you are promised that something will be repaired or replaced before you move in, get that promise in writing.
If you get a chance, speak to the current tenants. They might tell you about their experience of living there.
Agents and landlords may not always point out the faults to you, so keep an eye out, ask questions… and don’t worry, no question is a bad question!
See the section for virtual viewings for more information.
TOP TIP 5
Read the contract carefully
You might feel under pressure to sign a contract straight away, but make sure you read through it first.
Even better, book an appointment with the ULHS for a contract check!
Essential things we will check for you include:
- Does the ‘landlord’ really own the property?
- Do they need a licence?
- Are there any unfair or misleading terms in the contract?
- Does the written contract truly reflect what you have agreed verbally with the landlord or agent?
- Do you understand all of the tenant and landlord’s responsibilities?
See the section on contracts for more information.
Contact the University of London Housing Service to book an appointment: +44(0) 20 7862 8880 | housing@london.ac.uk
TOP TIP 6
Make good use of our free service
In addition to contract checks, we provide a
one-stop-shop for students looking for private housing in London.
- Browse our property platform listings for flats and houses
- Join our Flatmate Finder Facebook group to find other students to share with
- Meet potential flatmates at our annual Flatmate Finder events
- Meet registered landlords and letting agents at our annual Housing Fair
- Book appointments with our Housing Advisors for in-depth advice on housing issues, such as deposits and repairs
See the section on getting further advice for more information.
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SECTION: First steps
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