A Parent's Guide to Student Accommodation
Student Accommodation: A Guide for Parents
Feeling confused about how to help your child choose the best student accommodation? This simple guide will provide you with all the answers to your housing questions. From what to pack to the different types of accommodation, read on to feel prepared to support your child in making wise housing decisions at university.
What are the different types of accommodation at university?
University-owned student accommodation is usually found nearby or on campus. These are bedrooms and flats primarily reserved for first year and international students. However, some halls of residence allow students in the later years of university to rent rooms. The main point of contact for university-owned halls is the university accommodations services team.
Managed-partnership student accommodation is when a university and private provider collaborate to run a halls of residence. This is common in university cities which have a large number of students and institutions. In this type of accommodation, is it possible that students from different universities may be living together. The main point of contact for managed-partnership halls will be either the reception or university accommodation team.
Private student accommodation is when a private company separate from the university offers flats and bedrooms to students. Private halls are common in cities which have a large student population. Students at any stage in their university journey can apply to live in private accommodation, making it a great option if finding somewhere to rent is tricky. Students may be able to apply to rent a flat with their friends if they want to.
Shared houses or HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) properties are popular among students returning to university after first year. Rent is split between the tenants and the property is usually managed by a letting agent or private landlord. Students in these properties usually have to pay and manage bills, unless it is included within the rental price. Student housing groups are generally formed by friends deciding to live together, but sometimes rooms are rented out on an individual basis.
How much does student accommodation cost?
The cost of accommodation at university will vary depending on which area, city and location your child will be living in. There is a huge disparity between student accommodation costs around the country. For example, in July 2023, accommodation still available to book in Manchester for 23/24 was typically priced at £333 per person per week (pppw) while accommodation still available to book in Sheffield for 23/24 was typically priced at £159 pppw.
When your child is looking at university course options, we would advise that you consider ranking the universities on a cost-basis. This can help you to weigh up budget versus outcome for your child’s time at university.
Making an informed decision about university from a cost perspective can benefit your child’s experience at university and graduate outcomes. Locations which have a low accommodation cost usually have a lower cost of living too, meaning your child can enjoy themselves on a smaller budget.
Accommodation costs can also vary between areas in a city. Being located close to the city centre and nearer to amenities can push rent prices up for an area. You may be able to save money by living further away from the university campus and using public transport to move around.
However, make sure to check the cost of public transport before you book accommodation which is further away. It may work out cheaper to book nearby and walk/cycle to university.
Median prices of student accommodation in the UK by city:
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How much does halls of residence cost at university?
Within student accommodation buildings, there are usually a variety of room options available. These can vary in price depending on the size, bathroom type and room arrangement.
Generally, accommodation which has shared bathroom facilities are cheaper than ensuite options. When looking at catered vs self-catered, catered options cost more than self-catered. However, those in self-catered halls would need to regularly buy food as an additional cost.
How often is student accommodation rent paid?
When you sign a rental or license agreement for student accommodation, you may get an opportunity to decide the payment structure for the contract length. As many students pay for their rent with maintenance loans, student accommodation providers usually give the option to pay per term, in line with student finance dates.
Some providers will allow you to choose the rent payment structure. International students typically get less flexibility. Whether you choose monthly, termly or a one-off annual payment, make sure to decide with your child what is best for their financial situation. If your child is anticipating managing their own finances, a monthly payment would prepare them for the transition into future rentals.
Preparing your child to move away from home
Before your child heads off to university, there are a couple of key areas to making sure they will be independent and capable of living away from home.
If your child is going to be living in self-catered accommodation, spend some time teaching them how to make basic lunch and dinner options. This could include explaining some basic food preparation techniques and storage rules. Your child may also find it helpful to try doing a weekly food shop on their own before moving away. Ways to help them with this include making a list, meal planning and budgeting for food.
While some student accommodation options offer cleaning services, it may not include every part of their accommodation space. Show your child basic cleaning techniques for bathrooms, bedrooms and kitchens. It might be second nature for you, but simply explaining the different types of cleaning products could go a long way in assisting your child in the transition from home to university life.
Ask your child if they feel confident dealing with household bills and rent payments. If they are unsure, take them through how you would approach the task, perhaps showing them your method for paying bills in the process.
Some young people know how to do laundry, others are less confident. To prevent your child from bringing all their washing home, show them the basics of washing their clothes. From different detergent types to reading fabric labels - laundry can be more complicated than you think.
What to pack for moving to university
Packing for university is primarily down to what your son or daughter thinks they will need during term time. Consider the essentials (outlined in a list here) for cooking, studying and cleaning. Ask your child to think about the amount of storage space at their new student accommodation bedroom. This may help them to narrow down their packing and avoid feeling overwhelmed during move-in day.
Before you head to the shops to buy new plates, cutlery and towels, why not have a rummage through your own home to see if you have any spares? This could save you money, and help you to clear out items you no longer need in the family home. Your child may also appreciate the sentimental nature of using items from home.
It is worth considering the mode of transport used to move to university. If your child is traveling by train or coach, they will have significantly less space than a student moving with their parents via car. Use a large suitcase to store items if your child is traveling via public transport, to make their moving process easier.
Wait until you see the accommodation space before investing too much in additional storage and furniture. The under-bed boxes you have purchased may not fit, or the wardrobe could be larger than you anticipated.
When do students collect keys for their accommodation?
For most student halls, students are allocated a move-in slot at the start of term. On move-in day, head to the reception desk at the accommodation to collect your keys.
How long are the contracts for student halls?
Different universities and accommodation providers offer a range of tenancy contract lengths. It is common for first-year students to pay rent on a 42 week contract, but this can range from 40-52 weeks. Make sure to check the contract to see how many months your child will be paying rent.
You may find there is a period of time between their housing contract ending and the next one starting. Plan ahead of time where your child will be staying, if there is a gap.
When should students start looking for second year housing?
To decide when to start looking for a shared house or accommodation for the next academic year, you should consider the typical availability of student housing in your city. Below is a graph from our recent report which shows the 10 cities with the least availability. If your child lives in one of these cities, perhaps help them to look for accommodation sooner rather than later, to avoid disappointment.
The availability of shared student houses and private accommodation varies depending on the location and may change every year. Consider what your child wants to prioritise with their accommodation. Do they want to live close to the university? Do they want to live in a certain area of the city?
Once your child has a strong network of friends who they may want to live with, then consider exploring the different housing options in the city. Encourage your child to talk to second and third year students about their house-hunting experiences. You can also read student reviews of accommodation to find out how people found the booking process.
If your child lived in private accommodation in their first year, there may be the option to rebook their room for the following year. Consider rebooking early when your child is happy with their accommodation, so you can rest assured they will have somewhere to stay.
What to look for in student accommodation
When researching the different student housing options, there are a couple of different variables which may help your child to make a decision.
★ Distance to campus
★ Distance to city centre
★ Ensuite or shared bathroom
★ Catered or self-catered
★ Shared flat or studio apartment
★ Social spaces available
★ Value for money
★ Internet and wifi speeds
★ Social experience
It’s hard to figure out what living in student accommodation is like until you have experienced it yourself. But one way you can find out more is by reading reviews from students who have lived there. We have student reviews of almost every student accommodation option in the UK, which you can discover and read here. Encourage your child to read reviews of different accommodation options, to see what is the best fit for them, and make a better informed choice.
How to contact the university accommodation department
Most universities have an accommodation office you can contact. Search for ‘Accommodation Contact at [University Name]’ to find a phone number or email address. If you are struggling to find anything, approach the Student Services department or a generic university contact to request the correct contact information.
If your child has chosen private student accommodation, you can contact the reception of the building. From here you should be able to speak to the building manager to answer any questions you have.
Be aware though, often university services may not talk to parents directly about their child’s tenancy due to GDPR restrictions. Make sure you contact the provider together, or better still, let them handle this one on their own.
Is living at home for uni an option?
About 20% of students choose to stay at home whilst studying at university (HESA 21/22). This is a good idea for saving money if your child is studying locally.
There are many pros and cons to living at home for university. Unless you live close to campus, it’s likely that your child will need to commute, as opposed to walking to campus from university-managed or private halls. Will your child miss out on social events by living at home? Consider their needs and discuss with them what they want for their time at university.
I didn’t live in Leeds I stayed at home. Leeds is a lovely city but everything is quite spaced out and if you’re staying at trinity it is quite the trek back into central Leeds. I stayed at home in my town of doncaster throughout my 3 years at uni. My course was only 9 hours a week 3 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday so I didn’t feel the need to shell out extra costs on living standards for the sake of “uni life”...
Student Review of Leeds
What do parents need to do for student finance applications?
In order for the student finance organisation to calculate your child’s maintenance loan, you will need to provide details of your household income. If you do not share this information, your child will receive the minimum amount of maintenance loan.
You will need to disclose:
★ Your personal taxable income
★ Income your child gets from savings, investments or property
Does student finance cover rent costs at university?
It is important to check the total maintenance loan your child will get before they start paying rent. A maintenance loan varies depending on the total household income at home and where your child is studying. This means, for some families their young person will be able to pay rent with their maintenance loan, while others will need to find extra income to make ends meet.
After your child has received their prospective maintenance loan amount, it may be useful to run through a basic budget for their student finance. This way, you can work out if you need to support your child financially, or encourage them to seek out part-time work to support themselves.
Do you need personal insurance for student housing?
Make sure to check your home insurance policy to see if your child will be covered whilst living at university. Contents insurance will ensure if your child’s laptop or other valuables are stolen or lost, that they can be claimed back.
Find out more about student content insurance here.
What is student accommodation really like?
Until you live in student housing, it is hard to know what to expect. Students have mixed experiences living at university, often depending on people, location, circumstances and general enjoyment of their course.
Thousands of students leave reviews of their accommodation on StudentCrowd every year, which are available for you to explore here.
I had an amazing time at this student accommodation. The staff is incredibly friendly, the location is perfect, responses are very fast, and safety measures are impressive. Highly recommended!
Figuring out student accommodation can be daunting, but once you understand the process and costs involved, it can feel less overwhelming. Good luck with your accommodation search!
