Renting in student halls vs renting on your own

Pros:
- No hassle renting: Choose your accommodation, apply and pay for it within deadline – and you’re set with your living space for the first few months. It’s much easier than having to navigate the London rental market and all its hurdles while studying and managing other aspects of your move.
- Community and social life: If you’d love to immerse yourself in authentic student life, residing in a student hall is almost a must. It’s a great way to meet people and make friends. Many student halls organise their own social events, too.
- Convenience: Halls are typically located on or within a short commute from campus, reducing travel times and costs. Utilities, internet, and sometimes even cleaning services are included in your rent, which makes the overall cost perfectly justified – especially during winter, when you can use the heating on max without paying more!
- Security and support: University halls offer a higher level of security with key card access, CCTV, and sometimes 24/7 reception desks. They also usually provide a support network through resident advisors who can help with any issues that arise.
Cons:
- Cost: Depending on the university and location, halls can be more expensive than private arrangements. Student accommodation is also usually quite basic – you may be able to find much nicer flats for the same money or less.
- Limited privacy: While rooms in UK student accommodation aren’t shared, other spaces usually are. You may be sharing bathroom facilities (unless you have an ensuite), and you will most definitely have to share your kitchen. You will often share them with more people than you would if you rented a room in a flat. Noise can also be an issue, depending on your flatmates and neighbours.
- Rules and regulations: Living in halls means adhering to certain rules and curfews, which might not suit everyone.
Renting Outside of Student Accommodation
Pros:
- Flexibility and choice: Renting privately offers more options in terms of location, type of accommodation, and whom you live with. Whether it’s a quiet suburb or a bustling neighbourhood, you can find something that matches your lifestyle.
- Independence: Living outside of student halls can foster a greater sense of independence, as you’ll manage your own bills, cooking, and cleaning. It’s a step closer to ‘real world’ living.
- Value for money: In some cases, renting privately can be more cost-effective, especially if you’re willing to live a bit further from campus or share a larger house with several flatmates.
Cons:
- Exhausting search. Renting in London is extremely competitive and fairly difficult. By renting privately, you will have to go through all the hassle by yourself. If you’re doing it while you’re still abroad, you may also risk being scammed or ending up in a property below the standard you were expecting.
- Complexity and responsibility: Managing bills, dealing with landlords, and understanding your rights and responsibilities while studying and navigating other matters can be daunting.
- Loneliness: You will have to find your community in the outer world by yourself. If you’re not the most socially active person, this may be an extra challenge in your first months in London.
- Variable quality: The quality of private rentals can vary widely. It’s crucial to thoroughly inspect properties and read reviews or seek recommendations to avoid ending up in a poorly maintained home.