When to start looking for student accommodation: a UniHomes guide

When to start looking for student accommodation: a UniHomes guide

18 November 2024 • 1 min read


Unless you’ve spent all your time between lectures watching Homes Under the Hammer, the house-hunting process can feel unfamiliar and stressful, whether you’re a fresher or a third-year. 

Well, fear not: we’re here to take the stress out of the search and help you find your perfect student home. But it’s not as easy as just picking the property of your dreams - oh no, there’s lots of competition for places, and knowing when to start looking will give you a head start on the rest of the pack.  

So when should you start searching, and does it change depending on where you’re studying? We’ve got the answers, plus some key tips to consider throughout the house-hunting process. 

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When do students start looking for student housing? 

When do student houses come on the market? 

In some of our most popular cities, such as Sheffield, Leeds, Birmingham and Nottingham, our student letting agents release their properties for the next academic year at the beginning of October, which sees demand go from zero to 100 in no time at all. Competition really heats up across most cities in November, which means all the best student accommodation is already being snapped up right now 

Demand in most student cities starts to slow down after February, but by then there are slim pickings to be had, and you could end up scrabbling around for spare rooms with people you don’t really fancy living with.  

There are a few exceptions to this pattern though. In London, for example, student properties usually go live in January, with demand peaking around April and May. Brighton sees demand at its highest in January and February, while Scotland just throws the rule book out altogether. North of the border, student letting agents tend to advertise their student properties as they become available, instead of at set times like we see in England. This means there’s a less obvious peak in demand, and you’ve just got to keep your eyes on the prize all year round.  

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Do larger groups have to start looking for uni accommodation earlier? 

In short, yes. If you’re popular enough to have loads of mates, you need to get your searching hat on ASAP, as there are generally fewer properties available for groups of 4+ people. As soon as properties get released in your city - usually around October - you need to start booking some viewings to secure a great house - or consider ditching some friends. 

Properties for one or two people tend to stay around for longer, giving you more choice and a bit more flexibility. Still, don’t leave it too long, as even smaller student accommodation is mostly gone by March - and the best student flats and apartments will get booked up quickly. 

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What should you think about when looking for student accommodation? 

It’s easy to become overwhelmed when looking for next year’s student house, whether you’re a fresher searching for your second year accommodation, or you’re hunting for the perfect place to spend your final year at uni. 

Whatever situation you’re in, there are a few key things worth considering before you sign any contracts.  

What type of accommodation do you want? 

The private student accommodation market is full of different places to call home, from grand old houses in the suburbs to modern city centre flats.  

You might fancy living with loads of other students for that university party experience, or maybe you’re done with all that and want a calmer place to get your head down. Maybe you just want a bit of a garden. Do your research before committing to anything and make sure the property you’re going for meets all of your requirements.  

What’s your budget? 

Ah, the money question! Knowing how much money you (and your housemates, if you’re in a group) have got to play with really sets the direction for your student accommodation search. After all, there’s no use booking viewings at the poshest places around if your budgets at the lower end. Work out how much you’ll have spare each month based on your student loan, any bursaries, and any part-time work you’re taking on, then narrow down your search by price using our handy filters.  

Our city pages also give you an idea of the average weekly rent in each area, so you’ll not be going in blind. It’s also worth remembering that all student properties on our site come with bills included, so you don’t need to have that awkward conversation with your housemates about who uses the most electricity and whether it’s fair to split the water bill when one of you showers for an hour every morning. You know who you are! 

Where do you want to live? 

Every student city or town has areas which provide a great student living experience and others that won’t be ideal. It’s good to do some exploring.  

First, consider where you’ll be studying. You’ll need to be able to get into campus a few times a week, if not every day, so you should check out transport links and walking distance to make sure you won’t be left stranded.  

You should also think about your social life. Some areas, like city centres, are packed with bars, restaurants and entertainment, but often come with higher price tags and a little less peace for studying. On the other hand, some suburbs have become student havens, offering loads of places to hang out while still being connected to campus.  

Finally, think about your neighbours. If you’re living in a student neighbourhood, they might not mind too much about the occasional late-night party. But if your area is more residential, you could find the locals are less receptive to your after-hours activities.  

As Phil and Kirsty always say, it’s all about location, location, location. Once you’ve sussed that out, you can easily filter your property search to find the perfect place.  

Who would you like to live with? 

It’s worth figuring out if your mates are the kind of friends you enjoy going to the pub with, or the kind of friends you can imagine sharing milk with. Trust us - there is a big difference! You should also ask around to see who else is looking for accommodation for the next academic year, as this can give you a clear idea of the numbers you’re working with and the living situation you could be part of.  

If there’s just a couple of you, you can narrow your search down to smaller student properties, while bigger groups will need to start looking early to snap up all those larger houses as they often go fast.  

It’s also worth remembering that this isn’t just a time to hunt for student accommodation - it’s also a good time to hunt for housemates. Maybe you’re moving to a brand new city where you don’t really know anyone, or you could have grown a bit tired of the group you were living with last year. You might even need an extra person to bulk up your group numbers to secure that dream place. Either way, it’s a bit like dating, only instead of asking about their romantic interests and icks you need to ask if they can afford your budget, if they are happy to live where you want, and if they’ll promise not to steal your cheese.  

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Book your viewings now 

It’s never too soon to start planning where you want to live next year. And if you’re reading this in November, it’s actually perfect timing! We showcase the best student accommodation from across the market in over 50 UK university cities and towns - all with bills included. Don’t leave it any longer - start booking viewings today to find your perfect place. 


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