If you and your partner are both going to the same university, you might think living together is a great idea. After all, you’ll pay less rent, spend more time together and get a taste of what your future might be like. But is it possible for couples to share any type of student accommodation? This blog sets out the various rules for different types of accommodation, as well as factors you may want to consider if you are co-habiting.
Uni halls of residence:
University-owned accommodation tends to be the strictest when it comes to living with a partner, with cohabitation typically only being permitted in specific couple or family-designed accommodation. If you know you want to live with your partner in advance, it is definitely worth looking for these types of accommodation on your university’s website. However, these flats are extremely limited, so make sure you look early!
If you’re living in a shared flat, it is unlikely you’ll be allowed to co-habit on a permanent basis, but that doesn’t mean your partner can’t visit you or stay overnight. It is worth checking what your contract says about visitors – some may require them to check in at reception (for fire safety purposes), whilst others may limit their stay to two or three nights. It’s also a good idea to tell your flatmates if your partner does plan to visit, to avoid any disputes. Remember it’s their home too, so you should remain courteous and respectful of any reasonable boundaries they put in place.
Private halls or studios:
Co-habiting is typically much easier in private accommodation, with many providers designing specific rooms for this purpose. However, there are still certain rules you’ll have to comply with. For example, in many cases, both you and your partner must be students. This is particularly important for accommodation providers to know, since students do not pay council tax, but non-students do. If one of you isn’t a student or drops out midway through the year, you may become liable for council tax and may no longer be able to co-habit, depending on your provider’s policy.
You should also inform your landlord or letting agent that you’re planning to co-habit from the start and make sure you book a dual-occupancy room if this is an option on their booking website. You may have to pay slightly more for rent (10-20%), but this will still work out much cheaper if you’re splitting the cost.
If you are co-habiting, you will likely have to live in a studio apartment, since most providers will not let couples reside in shared flats. This is definitely something to bear in mind, since studios are often a lot smaller, and you may find it a bit cramped if you’re both trying to study, live and relax in the same tiny room. In addition, you’ll also miss out on the chance to live with other people or by yourself, which is often a much-anticipated part of the university experience. If you feel that co-habiting isn’t the right option for you and your relationship at the moment that’s also completely normal! Lots of couples choose to live separately at uni and move in together once they’ve graduated.
Shared flats:
It is normally possible to co-habit in a shared flat, but you will have to notify your landlord in advance and comply with certain regulations. Landlords have to adhere to strict legal limits on how many people can live in a flat, with accommodation housing three or more unrelated tenants being classed as a ‘House in Multiple Occupation’ (or HMO). This may make it difficult for your landlord if you want to co-habit and share a room, since it means there may be more tenants in the flat than it was advertised or designed for.
Similar to uni and private halls of residence, you will also have to notify your landlord of any changes in your student status and may have to pay a slightly higher rent to cover the cost of two people using the flat’s utilities.
In general, the situation is much easier if you’re planning to get your own flat rather than living with other students, since you can simply sign a joint tenancy for a private property. However, you will need a guarantor (such as a parent or guardian) who can prove that they earn enough to cover the rent should either of you become unable to pay.
Honesty is the best policy!
Living with your partner at university can be a really special experience and give you a taste of what your future together might look like.
If you know you do want to live together, the best thing to do is to be completely honest with potential landlords or letting agents and make them aware of the situation (rather than trying to sneak your significant other in!) It is usually possible to see whether dual-occupancy is an option at any accommodation you’re considering, with most providers offering in-depth information about occupancy policies, rental agreements and house rules.
We have plenty of lovely dual-occupancy accommodation on our website, so you and your partner can find the perfect place to make memories together at university!
