Finding the perfect home

We’ll help you make the right choice between halls, private renting and staying at home

The time you go to uni could be the first time you step away from home, and you’ll be experiencing the first time you experience independence. Finding a place to reside at university can be an extremely thrilling aspects of the process.

It can be difficult to determine where you’d like to be a resident. Are you better off living in student halls, private accommodation or do you prefer to stay at your home?

This guide can help you get started on the path to the beginning of your university journey. Learn what your choices are and the pros and cons of choosing student halls, private rental or living at your home.

Halls for students

Many universities offer halls for students in the first year that are either on campus or located close to the university. They’re usually separate flats with six to eight student rooms per flat, so you’ll get to meet other students and meet new friends right from the moment you arrive.

Student halls are an excellent choice for staying in the center of life at uni. As they’re based near the university, you’ll have no problem getting to your lectures at a reasonable time.

If you’re in the process of preparing for starting your very first semester at uni, you’ll probably find student halls the easiest accommodation option available.

What’s included?

Student halls are usually have internet access and bills included, making calculating the rent easy. The rooms are fully furnished with a desk, bed , and storage, so you’re able to move right into. You can bring your own TV, video games or posters.

Halls are run by the university. They often have a security team and residential support at any time you need it.

Spaces shared

You’ll be sharing a kitchen with other students when you opt for self-catered student residences or access to the canteen in case you want food-serviced halls. A majority of student halls have bathrooms that are en-suite, but some rooms share bathrooms, make sure you look out for this when researching where to live.

Private renting

If you’d like to share a home with friends a shared house or you would prefer to be on your own and have no one to share your space with, you can lease a private apartment that isn’t managed by the university. Private renting gives you the freedom to choose the place you reside and who you live with, however, it also means you’re more responsible.

Find student properties Leicester on this website.

What’s included

Private housing means that you’ll have to deal with the rent and expenses by negotiating directly with the tenant, and not with the university. The majority of landlords do not include costs and internet access in the rent, so be sure to keep an eye out for this when you’re looking for a place to live in.

Location

You must also consider how far you’d like to travel to university and what transportation is readily available. Student residences are typically located close to campus, but private accommodations are typically further away.
Living with friends

Most students rent privately for their third and second years at university, which means they may live in a shared house with their friends from the first year. This is also an option for your first year, especially in case you’ve already met people at the university.

Living in a shared residence

If you don’t have any friends to share your space with, but do not prefer living in student halls, there are rooms in private houses that are available from the beginning of the year. A few of the rooms will be in student residences where you’ll get acquainted with other students from different years of school.

Lodging

You may also find private rooms in houses of residents in the city. This is called lodging and you’ll become a lodger. You’ll be living with the landlord and their family. You’re probably one of the students in the house, however some landlords have more that one room that they lease out.

A room that you can rent in the house of someone else can be an ideal opportunity to meet the residents of the city and their acquaintances, which will aid in expanding your social circle beyond university.

Home-based living

If you choose not to move away for uni You can continue to stay at your current home. There’s no need to live alongside other students, but you’ll still have the chance to participate in university life.

Staying at home during uni can be a great way to save money on food shopping as well as rent and other expenses – especially if you don’t have to make rent payments at home. But it could mean less freedom than living away from home and less chances to grow your independence.