From Halls to Houses: A Student's Guide to Moving Into Student Accommodation

About the author: Hello! My name is Madelaine Lee but I usually go by Maddie. I am currently a 2nd year Fine Art student at the University of Edinburgh. I love doing things that are hands on – whether it's art and crafts, gardening, painting, pottery, you name it! I am also very much a nature girl and love going on walks and hikes. My art studio is where I spend most of my time, but if not you will probably see me dancing or ice skating too. I can't wait to share the ins and outs of university life with all of you!

Moving out of halls and into private student accommodation felt like the next step into adulthood for me. No more false fire alarms or disappearing food in the shared kitchen. On the other hand, it also meant I had to deal with rent, bills, and actually finding a student flat for the first time. If you’re going into your second or third year and are looking for student accommodation, here are some tips from me that I wished someone had told me before making the jump.

Start looking ASAP ⏱️

This is something that everyone tends to procrastinate on and put off doing, however it is important to put aside time to search for a student house. This is especially true for places like Edinburgh, which is a student city where houses tend to be taken up quickly. I would advise you to start searching for private student accommodation on UniHomes early, and to get an idea of what you and your housemates are looking for – location, price, space, etc.

For more info, see our guide on 'When to start looking for student accommodation'.

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Choose your flatmates carefully 🙏

Living with friends sounds ideal and can be really fun – but practicality and compatibility matters in this case. Before committing, make sure to have honest conversations about habits and lifestyle. Would you all be equally okay with sharing cleaning responsibilities? What are you all willing to pay per month for rent? Are you an early bird or a night owl? Make sure to set boundaries right from the start so you don’t have any awkwardness when someone refuses to take the bins out for months. It is important that you all communicate and compromise with each other!

For more info, see my fellow Content Ambassador Sophie Layton's guide to choosing who to live with at uni.

Location is important 📍

Although it is tempting to get the cheapest flat, do consider the time and money you would spend commuting to your classes. Living closer to campus, grocery stores, and bus stops makes life so much more convenient – especially when it is winter and gets dark at 4pm. Edinburgh's Marchmont and Bruntsfield are popular student locations for a reason, as they’re all near the University of Edinburgh!

Be aware of the basics 💸

In order to secure your student accommodation you’ll probably need to pay one month’s rent in advance as well as a deposit. This can vary from landlord to landlord, though, so make sure you thoroughly read through your tenancy agreement so that you don’t face any charges you haven’t budgeted for.

Once you have moved in, you'll also need to pay council tax and utilities like gas, electricity, water, and wifi – unless you’re renting via UniHomes, where your bills are included in your rent.

It sounds like a lot right now, but you'll get the hang of it eventually. I made a Google Sheet noting all the different bills that need to be paid monthly, and I tick it off as each month goes by. You could also put a reminder on your calendar for the payment dates.

Make it liveable 🏠

Private student houses are usually furnished, which includes things like beds, desks, sofas, and white goods. However, you’ll still need to bring or buy your own pots and pans, utensils, cleaning and washing supplies, drying racks… things you need to live! I spent my first week in my new student flat rummaging through IKEA, and it was kind of fun to be honest! These little things help personalise your home and give it a more cozy and lived-in vibe.

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Enjoy the independence 🧘‍♀️

Although it might seem daunting, moving into a private student house is a rewarding experience. Being able to cook meals together with your housemates and decorate with your close friends feels like a milestone. You gain much more freedom and a stronger sense of responsibility.

Moving out is a messy, exciting and stressful experience all at once. Everyone is unsure of what they are doing first, so don’t be afraid to ask questions. You’ll figure it out, just like the rest of us did.

Our UniHomes Content Ambassadors are current students across the UK who share tips about student life in their city to help you make the most of your time at uni. If you're interested in writing for our programme, click here for more details.

The views and opinions expressed in these blogs are those of the UniHomes Content Ambassadors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of UniHomes. UniHomes accepts no liability for the content of these Student Blogs.