Halls of Residence at Universities
First year students usually get a place in university-managed housing or ‘halls’. This certainly has its benefits.
Living with fellow students is a great way for making friends. You may even end up living with them later.
Not all halls managed by universities are located on campus.
You won’t have to travel far to visit your halls if they are located on campus.
Halls are a great way to start living outside your home. Independent living offers many benefits, without having to worry about landlords or utility bills.
If you have any questions, staff will be available (usually on-site) to assist you.
Uni halls pros:
Social Scene: A great way to meet many students at once.
This is the “halfway” house option. It allows you to transition gently from your home to a life away from it, while still feeling independent.
If you have any questions, your university will provide additional support.
Uni halls cons:
You are thrown in at all costs: you can’t choose with whom you live (although some universities do try to match flatmates through personality questionnaires).
There are no guarantees that you will get a spot in the hall you choose.
You will have to learn to live with a lot of students. This is a good adjustment for introverted students and those without siblings or from small families.
Private halls
Another option is to rent a room at a student housing complex.
This setup is very similar to university-managed halls. You have your own room, and you share common areas such as a kitchen or TV. However, it is owned by a private company and not your university.
In large cities such as London and Manchester, where there are many universities, private hall providers are common.
You might find more room types than university-managed halls. However, these rooms are often more expensive.
You should do your research on the cost of private halls. This includes the bills, upfront costs, and the facilities. It is important to consider how often you will use them, since they can push up the price.
Private hall student accommodation Leicester are a great way for you to meet people from different universities. These halls are very popular with international students. This is great for those who enjoy meeting people from different cultures.
Check out the communal spaces and events that are offered to residents when looking at private housing.
Your university will likely have an approved list for private accommodation providers. They may also have a formal partnership with one (especially if there aren’t enough rooms in their halls).
Private halls pros:
Constructed for students: Students in university halls enjoy the same benefits.
Conveniences: On-site gym and laundry services are some of the mod cons.
You’ll feel more at home in the student area if you have private halls. This will help you to spend less money on taxis home after a night out.
Cons: Private halls
The cost is usually higher than university-managed halls.
You may not use these luxuries, even though they may seem cool.
The same student pitfalls exist: noise, not choosing your partner, mess, and so forth.
Accommodation that is self-catered or catered
Although catered accommodation may not be as popular as it used to be, you might still have the option of touring other halls with catering.
Catered meals are a great way to reduce the stress of starting student life, especially if your kitchen skills are not up to par. This privilege will cost you more in rent, but it might be worth it to not have to cook or wash up after a long day.
You might not be able to choose what you eat if you are a picky eater. Self-catered might be better for you if you are more in control of your spending and diet.
For some, the idea of having to eat a fixed meal every day can be very restrictive. Others prefer to be able to eat whenever and wherever they like.
Privately-rented flat or house
Most students live in a flat or house with their friends after the first year. They rent it from a private landlord, or a letting agent. This option is more appealing than the university or private halls route.
Sometimes, it will be forced upon you. For instance, if you’re a mature student who wants your own living space outside the realms of university or you want to just live with other mature students/non-students.
Living with 18-year-olds in your twenties and beyond can be a nightmare if you are young.
Sometimes, however, you may not have any other option than to rent a private apartment.
Some universities may not be able to guarantee residence halls for first-year students. This is especially true if Clearing has been completed or you have late applications.
A privately rented property is a great option because you can choose where and with whom you live.
It can be difficult to find people in similar situations and arrange viewings, especially if you haven’t yet arrived at university. Your housing office can help you by matching you up with others, providing recommendations for landlords, student-focused letting agents, etc.
Pros in private rental
Independence: You are in control of where you live and with whom.
Locality: While your university halls may be located on campus, there are private housing options in the area that can help you feel more connected to the community. If you are interested in getting involved with local activities, such as the local religious community, this can be a great option.
Flexibility: There are many options on the private rental market that will suit your needs. While landlords might include utilities in their rent, you will have more options for property types. Student halls, on the other hand, are generally the same.
Private rental cons:
You might find yourself on a campus other than the main campus, and will need to travel frequently. This could increase your travel costs.
Management of bills: While some landlords might include certain utilities in your rent, it’s best to budget for them separately.
Dealing with admin: You’ll deal directly with the landlord or letting agent. One in ten students who were surveyed * had problems with their landlord and 13% had problems with their letting agent.
How to find housemates
You can make a list of people you like to live with. Although it may seem awkward to have this conversation, even asking them if they have plans for housing in the next year can help get things moving.
Here are some places to search if you are still looking for housemates
Friends in current halls: You’ll already know a fair amount about what it’s like to live with them
Clubs and societies: You can share your passion in a club or society
Your course: This is a great option if you are interested in a more intense subject like medicine or law. At least, you can ensure some privacy when you need it.
Social media channels at universities: Your housing office might share information about housing events and vacancies for potential housemates.
Landlords vs. letting agents
You will have direct contact with the owner of the property if you are a landlord. Agents, on the contrary, manage the property for the landlord (essentially, they are middlemen).
You have more security if you go through an agency. You can verify if the agency member is a government-approved redress program to handle complaints or a self-regulating organization that means they have agreed to follow certain codes and practices.
However, students reported having more issues with their letting agent (13% vs 11%), and 8% reported that they had problems with both*.
You can save money by using a landlord directly. Agents often charge extra for credit checks and inventory setup.
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