Let’s be honest: finding somewhere to live in London as a student is a full-time task (with overtime)
Once you accept your uni offer whether it’s for UCL, LSE, King’s, or Goldsmiths panic sets in. Not about your modules or flights. Not even about the cost of an oat milk flat white. No, the real headache starts when you try to book a place to stay.
You click on your first few student accommodation London listings and suddenly you're deep in a rabbit hole of studio apartments, shared kitchens, Zone 4 vs Zone 2, “viewings only after you pay,” and photos that look like they belong in a museum, not a basement flat.
If your head's spinning, you're definitely not alone. Students from all over the world (myself included) come to London ready to study only to realise that booking the right place is way more stressful than it should be.
Here’s a breakdown of the 10 most important things you should check before you book student accommodation in London based on real mistakes (and a few hard lessons).
1. The Commute Isn’t Just About Distance
A flat that’s “only 4 miles from uni” sounds fine until you realise that 4 miles means 2 Tube changes and 38 minutes of travel during rush hour. And it gets worse during train strikes.
What to do instead:
Type your uni’s postcode into Google Maps with your potential accommodation address. Use “arrive by 9:00 AM” on a weekday. That gives you a realistic travel time.
Zones matter, but so do connections. A Zone 3 flat with a direct train might be faster than a Zone 2 one that needs three changes.
2. Clarify Exactly What’s Included in the Rent
Every student in London has either dealt with dodgy utilities billing... or knows someone who did.
Here’s what to ask before signing:
- Are water, heating, and electricity included?
- What about Wi-Fi?
- Is laundry in the building, or do you use a laundrette down the street?
- Is there a cap on bills, or can you keep the heating on guilt-free during winter?
That lower weekly rent means nothing if your electricity bill wipes out your monthly budget.
3. Don’t Lock Anything Without a Viewing or Tour
We’ve all been tempted. You see a decent price pop up, the photos look clean, and you're worried about missing out. But booking without physically seeing a place or at least getting a video tour is risky. Really risky.
Red flag: If a landlord or agent says, “Sorry, no tours right now, but it’ll go fast,” that’s your cue to back off. They’re relying on urgency to skip transparency.
4. Make Sure the Area Is Safe to Walk At Night
This one is personal. During my first year, I moved into what looked like a decent studio in East London. No one told me the overground didn’t run late and walking home felt like a gamble after 8pm.
If you're new to the city, check crime rates, ask students at your uni what areas to avoid, and make sure there's reliable night transport nearby. Don’t just settle for safety during the day.
5. Ask About Housemates (If You’re Going Shared)
You won’t always get to choose who you live with but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ask. Some landlords or accommodation providers will let you know if the household is mixed, same-gender, undergrad, postgrad etc.
Example:
My friend moved into a shared flat listed as “student accommodation London” and found herself rooming with a 35-year-old working full-time. Totally different schedules, lifestyles, and expectations. It wasn’t a disaster, but it wasn’t ideal either.
6. Read the Terms... Twice
This doesn’t just mean scanning for your move-in date. Go through:
- Cancellation policies (especially if you're coming from abroad)
- Deposit return rules
- Early exit clauses
- Maintenance responsibilities
Pro tip: If you’re unsure about something legal, every uni has a housing team. Use them.
7. Review What Real People Are Saying Not Just the Provider’s Website
Those five-star reviews on a landlord’s own page? Take them with a pinch of salt.
Instead, ask in your uni’s student groups, Reddit forums, or check verified listings on Student Accommodation Guide. That’s what helped me find a place with great reviews, and no long threads of people complaining about leaking pipes or “silent elevators” that never worked.
Student Accommodation Guide was also the easiest way for me to compare a bunch of verified options side by side, without wading through dodgy ads or twenty browser tabs.
8. Double-Check Deposit Protection
In the UK, landlords are legally required to protect your deposit. If you're renting privately, ask which scheme they use (e.g., Deposit Protection Service, MyDeposits, or TDS).
If they brush past the question or give vague answers, that’s a serious red flag.
Also, make sure your deposit is reasonable around 4–6 weeks’ rent. Any more than that? Question it.
9. Try to Budget for the First Month (Realistically)
Between rent, transport, groceries, and a few council tax questions (most full-time students are exempt but double-check), the costs add up.
Here’s a rough monthly starter budget in London:
| Expense | Avg. Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Rent (shared) | £600–£850 |
| Rent (ensuite) | £850–£1,100+ |
| Food shopping | £150–£250 |
| Transport pass | £100–£130 |
| Laundry + bits | £30+ |
Don’t book a place that takes up 95% of your budget. That’s not “living” it’s barely surviving.
10. Trust Your Gut
I know it might sound cliché, but if something about a listing, landlord, or location feels off it probably is.
During my second search, I nearly agreed to a decent-looking flat listed slightly below average. Something about the vague emails and pushy tone set me off. I backed out.
Two weeks later? A student in my group chat said they lost £600 on the same listing.
Real Talk: Securing Student Housing in London Is Stressful (But Doable)
Look, I won't sugarcoat it. Finding student accommodation London that actually fits your needs, budget, and lifestyle can feel like another coursework module.
But trust yourself. Ask questions. Don’t rush just to get it over with.
Whether you’re starting in September or looking mid-year, spend time choosing your accommodation as carefully as you’d choose your modules. It’ll make a massive difference in your wellbeing especially when you hit the essay-heavy weeks.
Final Note
Don’t go into this blind. Ask questions. Read reviews. Compare more than one option. Bookmark this list and check it twice before you commit.
And if you want an easier way to sort real listings from risky ones? Student Accommodation Guide lets you filter available housing across London with verified photos, real reviews, and clear pricing without the spammy stuff that wastes your time.
What's your priority price, proximity, privacy? Start with that. It’ll make your search easier, sharper, and way less overwhelming.
You’ve got this. London’s waiting, and the right place is out there.