Understanding the various types of student accommodation available to you while at university is important. You may have different options for student accommodation throughout your studies. It’s important to be familiar with all the options and their pros and con.
We will be looking at some of the most popular types of student accommodation, including:
Privately rented accommodation
Residence halls at universities
Private sector residence halls
Living at home
Properties purchased by parents
Privately rented accommodation
Private accommodation for students in Leicester is very popular – so many choose to live in private rental homes during their second and third years.
While you won’t be able to live on campus, this type of accommodation will allow you to feel closer to the town and more connected to the local community. It can be difficult for first-year undergraduates and postgraduate students to find students to share their lives with. However, your university’s accommodation department can help you match up with other students.
You can rent a property for yourself, share a home with your friends, or rent a room in the property where your landlord lives. If you decide to do this, your landlord will be able to terminate your tenancy more easily as the law recognizes that landlords are more vulnerable in the home they live in if there is a breakdown in the tenant-landlord relationship.
Pros:
You are completely free and independent.
You have the option to choose your housemates as well as the type of property that you want.
You have more freedom to decorate and move furniture around in your room if you wish. Just make sure to adhere to your tenancy agreement to avoid losing your deposit.
You have the option to live near your university, town, or other amenities.
Cons:
Rent and bills are usually two separate entities that you will need to budget and balance.
You might have to walk a lot if you don’t live near your campus buildings.
All cleaning and maintenance will be your responsibility. No cleaners will be allowed to help in the common areas.
Properties that are available may be older than others. If you visit the property, make sure to check for dampness or signs of disrepair.
Residence halls at universities
The university owns and operates halls of residence. They are often preferred by freshers and students studying abroad.
They are often located on campus and are therefore in high demand. It can be beneficial to live in halls during your first year. If you decide to move into shared accommodation in second year, you will need to choose who to live with. You can find your next housemate in halls by having great socializing opportunities!
Unfortunately, you may not be able to get the room you want in this type student accommodation. En-suite rooms are almost always full. Although the rooms are not very impressive, they are usually quite comfortable.
Pros:
This is a good way to transition from living at home to complete independence. You won’t have to deal with landlords or pay bills.
Many halls are located close to campus so that you don’t need to travel far to attend classes, clubs, or other social events.
It’s easier to make friends and meet new people – you already have a group to go out with on your first night out.
Many halls host events such as quizzes and pub crawls. Some even have social media accounts that will allow you to meet new housemates before you go to uni.
Cons:
Halls can be very competitive so you might not get the first option of accommodation.
These are usually only available to first-year students.
Some halls have very strict rules, such as the need to keep fire doors shut at all times and quiet hours. If you break these rules, you could be punished.
If someone toasts at six in the morning, fire alarms could be used to evacuate the block.
Are you a caterer or a self-caterer?
The standard of the kitchen facilities available in halls will depend on whether you are in a non-catered or catered type of accommodation. Although catered accommodation is less common than it was in the past, some universities still offer this option. While you pay an additional rent to cover the cost of food, you can save time shopping, cooking, and washing up.
However, remember that shared kitchens can be a great place to make new friends and meet people. Cooking for yourself is an important life skill that will allow you to be independent of the canteen’s schedule.
Private sector residence halls
Private halls can be compared to university halls in that you have your own room as well as some common areas such a lounge, kitchen and laundry room. However, they are owned and managed by commercial companies.
These types of student accommodation may work in partnership with unis. However, they are not usually located on campus. Instead, they can be found in the city’s centre, near shops, restaurants, and nightclubs. There may be more rooms than uni halls. Sometimes, you can even find studio apartments with your own kitchen and bathroom.
Pros:
It is purpose-built and stylish with more room types.
Many facilities have additional amenities such as gyms, game areas and saunas.
Bills like utilities, broadband, contents, insurance, general maintenance, and some cleaning are usually included.
Cons:
This is one of the most expensive options, as all these amenities are not free.
Private halls may not allow you to live with students from your university.
FOMO can be a problem when you live off-campus.
Living at home
Most students would find that the university experience is not the same without having to live away from their home. Some students choose to live at home during their studies, either out of financial necessity or personal choice.
Pros:
It is usually the most affordable option, even if you contribute towards your living expenses.
It is comforting to know that you have a safe place to return to at night.
Keep your support network close to you so you don’t feel homesick. This can be a problem for students who live far from their home.
Cons:
It will take more effort to meet people at uni, either through lectures or sports and social activities.
You should factor in travel costs and time if you have to commute long distances each day to get home.
You are dependent on your parents for independence.
The location of your family will affect the choice of uni.
Parent purchase
A second type of student accommodation is that parents can buy a house or flat to act as landlords for a group that includes their child. This can be a great financial move, but take the time to think about the consequences.
A dispute with the parents of the landlord’s children could endanger your friendship, especially if one of your best friends is their child. If your guardian or parent is the landlord, it could lead to you being in an awkward position where your parents are trying to collect late rent payments.
Parents may prefer to leave property management to local letting agents in this type of buy-to-let arrangement.
Pros:
Private renting from an unknown landlord is often significantly less expensive than private rental.
Parents are more likely than not to allow you to decorate their space.
As their child lives there, the landlords have an interest in ensuring that the property is maintained well.
Cons:
It can cause problems in your relationships and create an awkward atmosphere at home.
Sometimes, landlords will visit your child without you being aware.
It can be difficult to raise issues about your living situation.
There are many housing options available to you. It’s worth taking time to think about your needs so you can choose the right student accommodation.
These are the Most Popular Types of Student Accommodation
According to HESA data the most popular type of accommodation for students was private-rented properties (other rented accommodation that are not purpose-built). This data was collected between 2020-2021 due to the pandemic that affected many students’ lives.
Next was living at home. Closely followed by owning a residence. If we limit the list to first-year students, less than a quarter (24%) lived in provider-maintained properties.
There are many factors that will determine the type of accommodation you choose. It also depends on your willingness to compromise. You might not like sharing a bathroom with four people but are willing to take the bus to university every day. There are many types of student accommodation available, so you’re sure to find one that suits your needs.
