So you’ve managed to secure a university place through clearing - great news! But now you’re scrambling to get everything sorted with just a few weeks until you start... and there’s still the small matter of where you’re going to live.
Organising student finance, deciding what to take with you, starting your reading list - it’s all pencilled in on the list of to-do’s. But the number one thing you must make a top priority is finding last-minute student accommodation.
For those of you who have already started your student property search, you’ve probably noticed that it’s fairly slim pickings; University halls of residences are fully booked, your university housing office are struggling to find you a place, and you’re not really sure where to go from here.
Finding affordable student rooms in August/September can be a stressful process, but don’t panic! We’ve put together an informative list to help you find accommodation after securing your university clearing placement (and we’ll even help you find housemates if you need to).
1. Student letting agents
If you’re hoping to find your dream student home, then an online student letting agent could be your best bet. On these sites you can search through various student houses, private student halls, and short terms lets, and book viewings in just a few clicks.
2. How to find and book student accommodation
Finding and booking student accommodation is easy! You can do everything online; searching for accommodation, organising viewings and booking the property. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Use our search tool to find student rooms near your university
2. Once you’ve found your dream student room, you can click on “Book a viewing” on the property advert. You can then suggest up to 3 preferred times to view the property
3. The landlord will then confirm one of your suggested times, and the viewing will then go-ahead
4. Once you’ve viewed the property and you’re happy with it, providing the landlord is happy to accept you as a tenant, you can book the property by visiting the advert again and clicking “reserve now”
3. Finding a housemate
If you’ve found the dream home but you need to book the property as a group, there are plenty of options out there for you!
Find a housemate tool
If you’re hoping to find housemates with similar interests, then check out our ‘Find a Housemate’ tool. The specialist tool matches you with people with similar interests and beliefs by extracting your answers to specific lifestyle questions. Once you’ve answered the questions and filtered out unsuitable housemates, you can get in touch with your matches by directly messaging them.
Social media
Alternatively, you can take to social media. Join the relevant student housing groups, or post on website forums to track down people in a similar position who might be willing to team up. Don’t worry, it sounds more daunting than it actually is. Remember, you’re not the only one looking for last minute accommodation, so why not be the first person to make a move?
Facebook is a good way to find housemates at your university. There’s no doubt that you’ll find a “University of ____ housing” group floating around, populated by fellow freshers looking for accommodation. Be sure to join it; you may come across people looking for a flatmate, older students with advice, or simply someone who knows of a relatively inexpensive place nearby.
Student accommodation forums
Student accommodation forums are also great for finding potential housemates looking to live in your area, or who are studying at your university. You can broadcast your message through posting a thread on the forums, and soon you’ll start receiving responses from students in a similar position. Alternatively, check out the forums for posts from other students, respond to the posts, and soon you’ll be well on your way to booking your student accommodation.