General accommodation advice
We know accommodation can be a major source of stress for students.
From choosing who to live with, where to live, and when to choosing your accommodation to dealing with contracts, landlords, and legal issues, there’s a lot to get your head around. Large sums of (often non-refundable) money are at stake, and you have to live (literally) with whatever decisions you make for a whole year.
We’ve put together this FAQs page to help you make informed decisions at every stage of your housing journey. Read it carefully and bookmark it for future reference.
FAQs
When should I start looking for next year’s accommodation?
This is completely up to you and your future flatmates, but here are some things you should know:
- Housing for the next academic year tends to be released on the market in November of the current academic year—nine months before you’ll move in
- A lot can happen in nine months, and your circumstances, your flatmates’, or your relationship with them can change considerably in that time. This means that there are risks associated with choosing your flatmates and accommodation early
- However, there are also risks to delaying your decision. People you were hoping to live with may commit to living with someone else, and you may find your preferred accommodation is no longer available by the time you make your choice. You must weigh up the risks of rushing and those of waiting and come to a decision that it right for you.
- The number of student rooms available in Nottingham is larger than the number of students. In theory, that means there is no rush to choose next year’s accommodation
- The most popular accommodation tends to be taken first, however. So, if you desire a specific area or accommodation building, the sooner you will need to act to avoid disappointment
- NTSU runs a housing fair in our City Campus building each November. This features vetted and approved accommodation providers who we consider to be reliable, safe
- options offering fair value for money. We may be biased, but we think attending the fair is the best way to find your accommodation for next year.
Who should I live with?
The people you live with have a huge impact on your university experience. The more people you live with, the greater the chance of interpersonal conflict. Your best bet is to live with people who you get along with and can trust. Choose friends from your present house or accommodation, your course, or your SU club/ society. If you’re stuck for housemates, use facilities such as NTU’s Message Board where you can place an advert to find fellow students.
What types of accommodation can I choose from?
There’s lots of choice, from University halls of residence and private halls to private landlords and lodging. There are pros and cons to each type. Do your research and decide which option would suit you most.
Where should I look for accommodation?
If you want to live in university-managed accommodation, look on NTU’s Accommodation webpages.
If you want to see a wider selection of student housing, Google “Student accommodation in Nottingham.” The search results will give you popular lettings agents as well as specific properties.
If you know how many people you’re living with and the area or type of accommodation you want, you can try a more specific search, like “Student house for four in West Bridgford.”
Student accommodation is often listed on sites like Zoopla and right Move, so try searching on there too.
If you’re looking for a single room for yourself in shared accommodation, try using the Spareroom app, searching on Facebook, or this NTU accommodation board. These are all places where students list spare rooms in their accommodation.
What do I need to know before viewing accommodation?
First, if you are looking in the Nottingham City area, check the property is accredited through the Nottingham Standard. The Nottingham Standard helps tenants identify properties that meet a minimum quality standard. Checking for this is a reliable way to filter out undesirable properties.
Most properties in Nottingham City require a licence, which helps to maintain quality and safety standards in private rented sector accommodation. Learn more about Nottingham City Council’s schemes here.
In other areas (e.g. Rushcliffe), some larger shared properties may require a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) licence. Check with the local council if you’re in another area. NTSU has partnered with Marks Out Of Tenancy (MOOT) so NTSU students can leave reviews about their property and landlord/agent. It’s worth checking MOOT for reviews of any properties you’re interested in before committing to one.
Viewing properties
Photos or someone else’s descriptions can be misleading. You should always view the property or room you’re thinking of moving into to make sure there are no surprises or confusion after the contract is signed.
What type of agreement do most students sign?
Most students sign joint fixed term assured shorthold tenancy agreements. These are the most common form of tenancy for anyone renting privately. A joint tenancy means you are renting the whole property as a group and, importantly, the landlord can hold everyone jointly responsible for the rent.
A fixed-term tenancy means you will usually be tied to the contract from the date the tenancy starts until the date it ends (these dates will be specified in your tenancy agreement). Most students who want to leave before the fixed term has ended will have to find a replacement tenant to take over. Until they do, they are legally liable to pay the rent until the fixed term ends or a replacement student takes over their agreement.
Learn more about tenancy agreements with our detailed guide.
Can I get my tenancy agreement checked before I sign?
Tenancy agreements are legally binding documents. Once you sign one, you are bound by its terms and liable for any financial obligations detailed within it.
Please read our tenancy agreement guide before signing anything so you understand your agreement’s key terms and conditions and your rights and responsibilities as a tenant. This will help you avoid signing something you later regret.
What money will I be asked to pay?
Many landlords and estate agents request a holding deposit to reserve a property. A holding deposit can’t be more than one week’s rent. This may or may not be refundable, so only pay a holding deposit if you're serious about taking on the tenancy—otherwise you may lose the money if you change your mind.
If you go ahead with the tenancy, the holding fee will usually form part of your tenancy (damage) deposit. This should be protected in a tenancy deposit scheme within 30 days of handing it over. You may also be asked to pay a retainer/half-rent for the summer period.
Will I have to pay tenant fees?
All upfront fees for tenants are banned. If you sign a new tenancy or renew your tenancy, you cannot be asked to pay for:
- Referencing
- Credit and immigration checks
- Administration
- Renewing your contract
The only fees you can be charged are:
- For the cost of replacing a lost key
- A penalty if you’re more than 14 days late with your rent
- If you want to change your tenancy or end it early
The applies to most private tenants, including if you have an assured shorthold tenancy, are in student housing, or if you’re a lodger. If your landlord tries to charge you any banned tenants fees, report them to Nottingham City Council’s Trading Standards Team
Do I need a guarantor?
Some landlords and agents ask for a guarantor form to be completed. Your guarantor will become liable for your financial obligations if you don’t pay your rent. If you don’t have anyone willing or able to do this, you will need to find accommodation where a guarantor is not required.
It is sometimes difficult for international students to provide a guarantor, so please ask your agent or landlord about this before signing anything. To help international students with this dilemma, NTSU has got NTU to partner with Yourguarantor to provide a UK-based guarantor for students who need one.
