Looking for student accommodation in London is not always easy so the following information and useful tips will help you on your way to finding a suitable place to live. You should be prepared to spend some time in the city looking for accommodation. If you do not live within easy reach of London it is advisable to arrange temporary accommodation whilst you look.
A list of hotels and hostels offering both long and short stay is available from the Accommodation Service.
When looking for accommodation always check out the local area and transport links. Use your common sense when checking safety and accessibility of the area. Always take a friend with you to offer a second opinion and if you're unsure go back in the evening to reassess.
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A popular choice for continuing students is to get a group together and choose to live as a single household, assuming full responsibility for a property. Students who do not have a group established or are looking to complete a group can take part in the University's Flatshare Scheme. Details of how you can find a flat or rent out your space are available from the Accommodation Service.
This can be an option for students looking for somewhere by themselves or for already formed groups of students. It is a particularly popular option for continuing students.
You may wish to rent a room where the owner (and possibly their family) is resident. This can be a very mutually beneficial experience but it is worth checking how much of the house and facilities are available to you in order to prevent any misunderstandings later. The London Tourist Board keeps a list of student friendly lodgings.
Hostels and hotels may prove useful as a temporary measure whilst you are looking for somewhere more permanent. They may also prove useful for accommodating any visitors.
A bedsit is, generally speaking, one room with its own sink and cooking facilities, plus a bathroom shared with other residents. Bedsits can offer a great deal of independence and privacy although be aware that they can prove lonely for people new to London and living alone.
The service provides lists of accommodation giving details of available rooms and houses to let in the Private Rented Sector. All lists are for information purposes only and the properties are not inspected by Accommodation Service staff. Students can place adverts on the London South Bank Flatshare which lists details of rooms offered and wanted in shared student houses. These lists are available throughout the year and are updated on a weekly basis - the largest turnover of property occurring during the summer vacation (July - Sept). The Accommodation Service also holds information about budget hotels and hostels, letting agents and Halls of Residence. All of our lists, guides and information leaflets are also available either by emailing accommodation@lsbu.ac.uk or visiting the Accommodation Office.
There are several third party providers of residential accommodation and could be suitable for students who would prefer to live in a more central location or would like to be accommodated with students from other institutions. The accommodation available through third party providers varies greatly from site to site and may include individual rooms, studios and one-bedroomed flats. Check out these useful links:
Look through Newspapers. Loot (daily), the Evening Standard (weekdays), South London Press (Tuesdays and Fridays), The Guardian (Capital Flatshare - out every Thursday in the Space supplement) and Time Out all carry advertisements for rented accommodation across London.
Agencies should be able to provide you with a free list of current accommodation to rent. Be aware that agencies may try to charge a registration fee before they find you a property but this is illegal. Make sure you do not hand any money over to an agency until they have found you a property you like. For more information and a list of agencies pick up a copy of the Accommodation Service's Guide to Letting Agencies.
These are situated outside the Accommodation Service and the Student Union. This is often a good source of information, particularly for those looking to complete a group for a house share or an individual looking to share.
These often have private adverts for rented accommodation. Make sure you check the details thoroughly however as anyone is able to advertise in this way.
This is an increasingly good resource for flat hunting. Visit www.loot.com and http://www.timeout.com/ These have classified lists of accommodation and you can post adverts yourself or simply browse what's available. There are many more accommodation and student pages on the web which may prove extremely useful so start searching. London South Bank University also has a Facebook page students can use to find other students looking for accommodation.
After having looked through all the various lists decide which properties seem right for you based on cost, location and suitability.
You should aim to view as many properties as possible as you're unlikely to find the perfect accommodation immediately.
Telephone landlords to make appointments to visit properties. Always contact landlords if you cannot make your appointment and try to make sure that all the future tenants view the property before agreeing to move in.
Never arrange to view a property alone.
Try to visit properties with either future flatmates or with a friend. Ensure that you tell someone where you are going and the times you'll be there. When at the property try to check everything thoroughly. Our Property Checklist at the bottom of this page is full of useful information that make finding the right property for you just that little bit easier. If you find anything you want altered about the property make sure you inform the landlord in writing of any work that needs doing before you move in.
The cost of living in London varies a great deal depending upon the type of area and accommodation you are prepared to live in. As a general rule it is probably cheaper to live south of the river. You are likely to end up paying between £100 and £120 per week in most shared accommodation. However always make sure you check associated costs of renting property such as agency fees, deposits, holding fees, council tax, water rates and bills!
This is not normally available to students although there are some exceptions. For example if you:
If you fall into any of the above categories then you should contact your local council office. Southwark Borough Council operates several Neighbourhood Housing Offices, the nearest to South Bank University being in Library Street behind Caxton House on Borough Road.
If a house is occupied entirely by students then it is exempt from Council Tax. Having just one co-tenant who is not a student will make a difference. Make sure you check first if entering into an existing houseshare.
If you have financial difficulties you should contact the Student Advisory Centre who will be able to provide you with financial advice.
Most landlords ask for a deposit. This usually amounts to the equivalent of one month's rent. Landlords are not legally entitled to ask for more than one sixth of the annual rent. Deposits are used to protect landlords against damage to the property. They can also be withheld against unpaid bills, cleaning charges and rent arrears.
Since April 2007 the legislation regarding deposit payments has changed. Non-resident landlords are now required to be part of a Deposit Protection Scheme. This is to ensure that any landlord/tenant disputes are dealt with fairly and efficiently. For further information and advice regarding the Deposit Protection Scheme visit www.direct.gov.uk/en/TenancyDeposit/index.htm
When renting a room or a flat you are entering into a legal agreement with your landlord. A verbal exchange may do but something in writing is preferable. Most students in private rented accommodation have standard written agreements. Agreements normally contain information about the rent, the length of tenancy and the rights and obligations of you and your landlord.
Ensure that you understand all of the contents of your agreement before you sign it.
The 1996 Housing Act completely changed the rights of tenants and the type of agreements on offer. In theory a landlord doesn't need to provide a tenancy agreement at all. However the National Union of Students (NUS) recommends that all students ask for at least a statement of terms. A statement of terms should include the start date of the tenancy, the level and due date of rent, the length of tenancy and a date when rent may be reviewed. To get a statement of terms the tenant must make a written request to which the landlord has 28 days to reply.
Try to give yourself time to look over any contract thoroughly before signing -you need to check the type of let you are being offered and who is responsible for bills and repairs. You are entitled to 24 hours to look over any agreement before you are obliged to sign it.
Make sure you never pay any money without getting a receipt. A receipt should be signed and dated by your landlord and state clearly what any payment is for.
Always put your requests, complaints and queries in writing and keep copies in case you need them later.If you want to double check your contract you can have it looked at by the university's Student Union Advisors (020 7815 6053).
This is the most common type of Tenancy Agreement. Since February 1997 all new tenancy agreements (unless otherwise stated) are assured shortholds. This means that security of tenure (the length of time you are legally entitled to stay) will be limited to a maximum of six months. Landlords can let out properties for longer periods, but it is only after the initial six months of the contract that they are allowed to regain possession, and then only with the proper notice (Notice of Seeking Possession).
An assured shorthold does not have a break (or notice) clause allowing tenants or landlords to end their tenancy during the first six months. This means, for example, that if several students move into a house and one of them drops out early then they cannot be released from their tenancy until at least the end of the first six months. After the first six months a break clause can be inserted.
Further information and advice is available from the Student Accommodation Office. The main point to remember in your search for Private Sector Accommodation is to be realistic and sensible. Always keep copies of any documentation. Always tell somebody where you are going when you visit properties. Always try to live within your means. Here is a short summary of the stages of your search:
Below is a quick check list that you may find useful when visiting properties. It gives examples of things to look for and ask about. It is by no means a definitive list.
** From 1 April 2009 it is a legal requirement for landlords to have all gas equipment serviced annually by a Gas Safe registered gas engineer (this includes cookers). Gas Safe engineers issue certificates when appliances have been serviced. You should always ask to see this certificate.
Has the landlord provided you with an Energy performance certificate?
** Non Resident landlords are now required to provide a copy of an Energy Performance certificate. The certificate lasts 10 years and covers cookers, heating systems, washing machines, fridges and freezers. For more information visit Direct.gov
Other Questions
If you are going to be a lodger or sharing a house with a resident landlord, you should also check the following points.
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