Need Student Digs in London? Renting houses Guide

There are many factors to consider when searching for private or rented student accommodation in London. You have the important factors, such as how much to pay and where to live. Then you have to ask yourself with whom you want to share with – a bad mismatch could affect your study, moral and general wellbeing.

Students lucky enough to spend their first year in halls – usually in a small but single room – have time to settle in and adjust to the usually chaotic experience away from home.  However, if you are entering the world of student houses for rent, there are many pitfalls that can come your way.

Budget

Step one is considering your budget. Renting in London you’re at a disadvantage, as you’ll likely spend £40 a week above the national average, at approximately £102 per week. The there’s the utility bills, adding around £10 a week during the winter months.  And of course TV will be high on your list of priorities, so if your property is rented on a shared basis you’ll only need one license. If you have an individual tenancy for your room but share a communal area, you’ll need one license per room.

Being a fulltime student you are exempt from paying council tax, so try avoiding sharing with part-timers, as they aren’t. This often causes conflict when the charge is calculated on the property as the part-timers see it as unfair.

Burglars love student properties, as the night-dwelling student can be lax in security. Knowing the student areas well, burglars target empty properties, knowing laptops and computers a likely find.

Central London

Depending on your funds, the charges vary massively on the area you choose to live in. The closer you get to central London, or the more desirable areas such as Kensington and Bloomsbury, hoping to fall out of bed and stumble the short distance to your lecture nursing a hangover, then you’re looking a lot of money, money you most-likely splattered on the pavement the night before.

A letting agent is a good start as there are more properties on offer, however, some of the best housing isn’t advertised, but is passed on by word of mouth. You may be lucky enough to find out about good offers from final year students (maybe friends you make whilst at Uni) vacating their properties. Check out the notice boards, too.

Stay in Contact

So you approach and tackle the problem with your head screwed on and land a decent place that satisfies your needs for the right money. You ingratiate yourself with people of your nature and land some solid housemates. This is all good, but homesickness is a normal experience, especially if your family live on the other side of the country. Try to keep in contact with relatives, make new friends, and perhaps talk to staff at your institution. It’ll be a culture shock, too, living and running to a different routine, experiencing the country’s lively capital.

London is a fantastic place for a student. You only have to pick up a guide to find out a small percentage of what’s on offer; you couldn’t hope to experience everything. Clubs, the West End, art galleries, museums, the list is endless. It’ll change your perspective on life, you’ll see things you never knew existed, but most importantly, you’ll love every minute.

Tags: Accommodation, renting, Student Digs

Category: Featured, Student News