It’s important to know the differences between the types of student accommodation that are available while you’re at university. As the type of student accommodation you have available may change throughout your studies, it is a good idea that you get to know all of them and their pros.
Let’s take a look below at the most common accommodation options for students.
Privately rented accommodation
Residence halls for university students
Private sector halls and residences
Living at home
Parent-purchased properties
Privately-rented accommodation
Private accommodation is the most preferred type of accommodation for students. Many students choose private renting for their second and subsequent year.
This type of student accommodation won’t allow you to live on campus but it will be close to the center of town, so you can feel more connected to the community. Sometimes it is difficult to find other students to share the experience with. The accommodation office at your university can usually help you connect with others students.
You could rent property to live in, you could share a residence with friends, you could rent an apartment in a property that your landlord owns, or you could rent one of their rooms. Your landlord will be able more easily to end your lease if this is the case. The law recognizes that landlords can become less secure in their own homes if they have a falling out with the tenant-landlord relationship.
Pros:
You have complete freedom and independence.
You are able to pick your housemates and the property style you would like to live in.
You are more free to decorate your home and move furniture around as you like, but make sure you adhere to your tenancy agreement.
You can choose to live in close proximity to your university, town or other amenities.
Cons:
Budgeting and balancing rent and bills will be separate tasks.
If you don’t live close to your campus, buildings, or other important locations, you may need to travel a long distance or rely on public transportation.
The cleaning of the common areas and all maintenance is your responsibility.
You might find older properties. When you go to view them, be sure to look out for signs of dampness and disrepair.
University halls of Residence
The university manages the halls of Residence. These residences are often preferred options for freshers or students studying abroad.
They are easily accessible to students and faculty because they are close to the library and other facilities. Because you may choose to live in halls your first year, it can be a great option. In second year, however you’ll need to decide with whom you want to live. You will have the best socializing opportunities to find your housemates next year in halls.
There is a downside to this accommodation: you might not get the room that you prefer. Although not often very special, the rooms are quite comfortable.
Pros:
This step is great for those who want to live at home, but also have complete independence.
The majority of halls accommodations are within walking distance to campus. This means that you won’t need far to get to your classes, clubs, and social events.
It is much easier to make friends and find new people with a group.
Some halls run quizzes or pub crawls. Many have a social presence on Facebook to allow you to find your new housemates even before you get to uni.
Cons:
Halls are competitive and you might not be able to find the right accommodation for you.
These grants are generally only available to first year students.
Some halls have strict rules. For example, they require that you keep your fire doors locked at all times.
If someone has toast that is not cooked by six in the AM, fire alarms can help to evacuate the entire block.
Can you cater for yourself or your guests?
It will determine the standard of the facilities in halls, whether you opt for a catered accommodation or not. Catered accommodation is not as popular as it used to be, but it is still possible at some unis. The rent covers your food expenses, but you save time on cooking and shopping.
But remember, shared kitchens are great places to meet people and make new friends. Cooking for oneself is a great life skill, and you won’t have to follow the canteen’s timetable.
Private sector halls for residence
Private halls are very similar to university rooms. You have your room and some common areas (like a kitchen and lounge) but they are owned commercially.
Although these types of accommodation are sometimes offered in partnership with the unis, they do not typically reside on campus. They may be located in the centre of the city, near restaurants, shops and nightclubs. There are more rooms available than in uni halls. This includes studio apartments, which have their own kitchen and bathroom.
Pros:
Purpose-built and fashionable, with more variety of room types.
Many amenities have additional features, such as gyms or games areas.
In general, bills like utilities, broadband or contents insurance, as well as some cleaning, are included.
Cons:
The most expensive option to buy – not all amenities come free.
It is possible that you will not live with friends from your university because private halls could be used by students from other colleges or unis.
FOMO may be an issue if you are living away from campus.
Living at home
Students would be unable to enjoy university without moving away from their homes. Some students opt to live at their home while they study, whether this is out of personal preference or because it is financially feasible.
Pros:
It’s usually the cheapest option. Even if you have to make a contribution towards your daily living costs, it will still be significantly cheaper than living in student apartments.
You are confident that you will have a relaxing place to call home at the end of each day.
Your support network is there for you. You won’t feel homesick.
Cons:
At uni you will need to put more effort into meeting people, be it through lectures, sports or social activities.
Travel costs and travel times are important considerations if you plan to make long commutes home every day.
Independence when you answer to your parent.
Your family’s location will limit your options for uni.
Parent purchase
One option for student accommodation that is becoming increasingly popular in recent years is to have parents purchase a house/flat and become landlords to a group including their child. This is a smart financial decision, but it’s important to understand the implications.
You could lose your friendship if you have a dispute with your landlord’s parents if your friend is the child of the landlord. Your parents or guardian could also be the landlord.
Parents might prefer to let a local letting agency manage the property in this type of buy to-let situation.
Pros:
Often, private renting from an unknown landlord will be significantly cheaper than private rentals.
It is more common for parents to allow you decorate their home.
As their child lives there, the landlords are obligated to maintain the property in good condition.
Cons:
Stiff relationships can cause havoc in your home.
Your landlords could visit your child unannounced.
Arranging problems with your living circumstances can be difficult.
There are so many housing options to choose from, so make sure you carefully consider your needs to find the student accommodation that best suits your needs.
The Most Common Types for Student Accommodation
According to HESA data for the past academic year, private-rented properties were the most preferred type of accommodation for students in Leicester (‘other rented accommodation which is not purpose-built’). It is important to remember that this data was collected in 2020-2021 with many students living in affected areas.
Living at home was next, followed closely with living in their own home. If we reduce the sample to first-year student, only 24% lived in provider-maintained housing.
Your willingness to compromise and take into consideration many factors will go into choosing the right student accommodation. One example is that you might not be comfortable sharing a toilet with four other people, but would still prefer to commute to uni daily. The good news? There are so many student accommodation options that you can choose from that will suit your needs.
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