Housing options if you're a student

When you get a place at university or college you'll get information on your housing options.

You can usually choose between renting a room in student halls or renting privately.

You might be able to get loans, grants or benefits to cover rent and other living costs.

Renting in student halls

Student halls are sometimes called halls of residence. You can usually rent a single or shared room.

They come with either en-suite or shared bathrooms. Shared facilities such as a kitchen and laundry room are usually available.

Student halls are often owned and run by the university or college.

You can also rent purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA). These are privately-owned buildings that must offer at least 30 rooms to students.

You'll have a common law tenancy if you're in student halls or PBSA. With this tenancy:

• your landlord must protect your deposit

• your landlord must have registered as a private landlord

• they cannot evict you without proper notice

• the building must be safe and secure

Check our advice on your rights in student accommodation.

Renting privately

To rent privately, contact local letting agencies. You can also search on websites like SpareRoom, S1 Homes, Rightmove, Zoopla and Gumtree.

Check our advice on finding a private rented home.

Most private landlords have to register with the council before they can rent out a property. 

Do not rent from a landlord that should be registered, but is not. If you’re not sure, check if your landlord should be registered.

If you're sharing a home with flatmates, you might be in a house of multiple occupation (HMO). These must meet certain standards. Check our advice on:

• living in a house of multiple occupation (HMO)

• living with flatmates

Problems finding student accommodation

If you cannot find somewhere to live, talk to your university or college student accommodation service.

They’ll help you find a place in student halls or from a private provider. They could also have:

• a list of student homes looking for a flatmate

• existing relationships with private landlords looking for tenants

Paying for student accommodation

If you normally live in Scotland you can apply for grants and loans through the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). These can help to pay for accommodation and living costs.

If you normally live elsewhere you should apply through your country's student finance scheme.

Funding availability will depend on things like:

• your or your family's income

• your age

• if you’re a carer

In some cases students can get benefits and grants to help with living costs. Check our advice on getting help to pay rent if you’re a student.

If you need a guarantor, check our advice on guarantors in private tenancies.

If you're worried about money, contact your college or university’s student union. They can help you to budget and apply for student hardship grants.

Council tax if you're a student

You do not pay council tax if you live in student halls.

If you're renting privately and a full-time student, you do not pay council tax if:

• you live alone

• all your flatmates are full-time students

If you live with flatmates who are not students, you may need to pay towards the council tax bill. Check our advice on who has to pay council tax.