Choosing who to live with and where as a student

Deciding who to live with and where to rent are two of the most important choices you’ll make as a student renter. The right combination can shape your day‑to‑day experience, affect your budget, and help you feel settled throughout the academic year.

This guide walks you through the key things to consider so you can make an informed decision that works for you.

Choosing where to live

House‑hunting can be exciting, but it often comes with time pressure. In many student towns and cities, popular areas fill up quickly, so being organised can make a real difference.

Most universities have neighbourhoods that students tend to favour. If you’re unsure where these are, your university accommodation team or friends who already live locally can usually point you in the right direction.

Living in a well‑known student area can mean:

• Good public transport links
• Shorter journeys to campus
• Easy access to supermarkets and local amenities
• Being close to friends and other students
• A lively social scene

Things to be aware of:

• Higher demand, which can mean you need to move quickly
• More noise, particularly in the evenings
• In some areas, higher levels of anti‑social behaviour

It’s worth weighing up what matters most to you. Some students prefer to be close to everything, while others value a quieter area even if it means a longer commute.

Choosing who to live with

Sharing a home can be a good way to keep costs down and enjoy a more social living experience. However, it’s important to think carefully about who you’ll be sharing with, as you’ll be living together for a significant period.

Before committing, take time to consider how well your lifestyles match. Asking yourself a few practical questions can help avoid problems later on:

• How do they feel about cleaning and shared responsibilities?
• Do your daily routines and sleep patterns align?
• Are there habits that might become an issue over time?
• Do you have similar expectations around guests and socialising?
• How much personal space do you each need?

Having honest conversations early on can help set expectations and protect friendships in the long run.

What to know about your rights as a student renter

From 1 May 2026, renting in England changes under the Renters’ Rights Act. These rules apply to most private renters, including students renting from private landlords.

Key changes to be aware of:

• Open‑ended tenancies
  Fixed‑term tenancies are being replaced with rolling (periodic) tenancies, giving renters more flexibility and security.
• An end to ‘no‑fault’ evictions
  Landlords can no longer evict tenants without a valid legal reason, such as rent arrears.
• Fairer rules around rent increases
  Rent can only be increased once a year, and tenants have the right to challenge unfair rises.
• No rental bidding wars
  Landlords and agents must not encourage or accept offers above the advertised rent.
• Pets
  Tenants have the legal right to request a pet, and landlords must consider the request fairly rather than applying blanket bans.

These changes are designed to give renters more stability and clearer rights, while setting consistent expectations for landlords.

Most student tenancies cover a long period, often an academic year or more. Taking time to choose the right location and the right people to live with can help you feel more comfortable and confident in your home.

FAQs

• Do student renters have the same rights as other private renters?

  Yes. If you rent from a private landlord in England, the Renters’ Rights Act applies to you in the same way as it does to other private renters, including protections around evictions, rent increases and tenancy structure.

• Will my student tenancy still have a fixed end date?

  No. From 1 May 2026, fixed‑term tenancies are replaced with open‑ended (rolling) tenancies. This means your tenancy does not automatically end on a set date, and you can stay in the property until you choose to leave or your landlord has a valid legal reason to end it.

• Can my landlord increase the rent during my tenancy?

  Yes, but only once a year. Any rent increase must follow the correct process, and you have the right to challenge it if you believe it is unfair or above market value.

• Can I ask to keep a pet in my rented student home?

  Yes. You have the legal right to request a pet in writing. Landlords must consider the request fairly and cannot apply a blanket ‘no pets’ rule, although they may refuse with a valid reason linked to the property or the pet itself.