UK Student Accommodation: Types, Costs, and How to Avoid Common Mistakes

When you’re starting uni in the UK, UK student accommodation, the place where you live while studying, whether it’s a university hall, shared house, or private flat. Also known as student housing UK, it’s not just where you sleep—it affects your budget, stress levels, and even your grades. Too many students pick the first place they see because they’re overwhelmed. But the cheapest option isn’t always the best. Some halls cost more than private rentals but include bills. Some private flats look perfect online but turn out to be freezing in winter with a broken boiler. Knowing the difference saves you hundreds—and sometimes thousands—over the year.

University halls, on-campus housing run by the university, often come with short-term contracts and included utilities. Also known as student halls, they’re great for first-years who want to meet people fast. But they fill up early, and you might end up in a tiny room with no kitchen. Private rental student, a flat or house rented from a landlord outside the university. Also known as student housing private, gives you more space and control, but you’re on the hook for everything: deposits, repairs, bills, and finding housemates. Then there’s student tenancy rights, the legal protections you have as a renter, no matter where you live. Also known as student rental agreement rights, these cover your deposit, repair responsibilities, and whether your landlord can kick you out without notice. Ignoring these rights is how people lose hundreds in deposits or get stuck in unsafe places.

Most students don’t realize how much bills add up. A £700-a-month flat might sound affordable until you find out gas, electricity, and internet cost another £120. Some places have water meters—pay only for what you use. Others charge a flat rate, even if you’re out all day. Landlords sometimes bundle services and overcharge. And if your place has pests, a broken heater, or no hot water? You have rights to demand fixes. You’re not just a tenant—you’re a student with legal protections under UK law.

Where you live affects your social life, your study habits, and your wallet. Living too far from campus means spending £20 a week on buses. Sharing with people who never clean? You’ll waste hours arguing over dishes. Signing a 12-month contract when you’re only studying for 9? You’re stuck paying for summer months you’re not even there. But if you know what to look for—how to read a contract, how to spot a scam, how to use Facebook groups to find real housemates—you can avoid all of that.

Below, you’ll find real advice from students who’ve been there: how to find safe housing without paying a fortune, how to handle landlord issues, how to split bills fairly, and how to get your deposit back. No fluff. No hype. Just what actually works.