This is part of a series of guidance about finding accommodation provided for students.
Know Your Options – Types of Accommodation
As a student you have quite a few options for types of property to rent, so the first thing you’ll need to do before looking for accommodation is to decide which is right for you.
Shared Houses
This is the type of accommodation favoured by most groups of students, and is particularly popular with University undergraduates looking to move ‘off campus’ after a year in halls.
Shared student houses can have a bit of a bad reputation for poor repair etc., but there’s no need for it to be this way. Yes, there are some rubbish houses out there, but there are also plenty of decent quality ones too. Take some time to read through our advice, particularly on things to look for when house hunting, and don’t accept inferior accommodation.
If you are opting for this type of accommodation, we strongly advise you to choose an Accredited Property. We provide information on why you should insist on Accreditation.
Larger Blocks
This covers quite a wide range of accommodation types. It is usually defined as developments with more than 25 bed spaces, but will often house several hundred, and occasionally over a thousand. Some larger blocks, (in particular some university halls) will be catered accommodation, so you will have your meals cooked for you, but most Larger Blocks are arranged into self-catered flats of around 5 to 7 people.
Larger Blocks are outside the scope of the Accreditation Scheme, but there is an alternative, known as the National Code of Standards for Larger Developments – we advise you to look for this standard if you want to live in a Larger Block.
Home Stay
Home Stay accommodation refers to the option to rent a room in a house where the owner lives. This option is quite popular with students arriving in the UK from overseas, since living in a house with native English speakers can provide an opportunity to improve your language skills.
Often the rent will include meals, heat, and electricity. As a lodger in a landlord’s home, you will have different rights to a tenant in other types of accommodation.