How to get ahead when searching for student accommodation

Knowing exactly when to start searching for student accommodation is tricky. You don’t want to sign on the dotted line for the first home you come across but leaving it too late is a risky strategy. 

Student accommodation providerFresh offers rental homes, with options from en suite studios to shared apartments in nearly 70 locations across the UK and Ireland. To help you get ahead, they have revealed when traffic to their website starts to surge, along with further advice on how to make a final decision on your student home.   

When to start your search 

Examining the data from June 2022 to June 2023, Fresh revealed traffic to their website spiked during the following dates: 

• The busiest day was A-level results day in 2022 - 18 August
• The busiest period was 14 August - 10 September 2022

Further peaks throughout the winter, spring and summer

• June 26 - 14 July 2022   
• 22 January - 4 February 2023
• 16 - 29 April 2023 

The data shows many students are looking for their accommodation in January onwards for the next academic year so to get ahead, it’s worth launching your search before Christmas. Although most students only start their courses in September, thinking about the kind of living space you want to secure early on will help direct your search down the right path from the get-go. Obviously, some students wait to receive their results before choosing their place of study but the Fresh data shows there's stiff competition as soon as the grades are released so it's a good idea to get your accommodation sorted as quickly as possible after securing a Clearing place.

What to consider when searching: 

Accommodation types and budgets

The student rented sector ranges from privately rented houses to PBSAs (purpose-built student accommodation). Whatever you choose, it’s key to understand exactly what’s included and what’s not, as well as understanding how much deposit you’ll need to pay. 

Some accommodation providers include all bills in the rent but that’s not the case with all accommodation. While the cost of living crisis has affected everyone, many students have found peace of mind in knowing they won’t be hit with overly high electricity bills by opting for all bills included. 

Who will you share with?

Choosing the right housemates is all about being honest with yourself. Enjoying your home life is a big part of university so you need to ensure you’ll be happy. If you have a friend who has asked you to be their housemate but you don’t see this working out, try to be up-front and honest early on. This will be better in the long run for both of you. 

What happens if you’re struggling to find accommodation? 

As with most tricky situations, it’s important not to panic. There will be options open to you but they may not be your first choice. If you have an ideal home in mind then it will definitely pay to start searching as early as possible. 

This content was supplied byFresh, a market leading, third-party manager of rental homes across the UK and Ireland. From PBSA, to Build to Rent and Co Living, Fresh creates homes and communities that are perfect for the way residents live their lives.