Being a student for the first time can be confusing, scary, and a big new responsibility for some - you now have to find accommodation, sign contracts, and manage rent and bills. The last thing you need is to add to your stress by believing myths. Let’s bust them together!
“Every landlord requires a guarantor”
This is … you guessed it, not true. There are plenty of properties which don’t ask for one; this would usually be stated in the description of the property listing, but if it’s not, don't be afraid to ask!
“Students have fewer legal rights than other tenants”
Being a student doesn’t mean you’re any less protected as a tenant. You have the same legal rights as anyone else renting a property, things like a safe and habitable home, protection of your deposit, and clear terms in your contract all still apply. So don’t let anyone tell you that being a student somehow limits what you’re entitled to.
The new Renters' Rights Act has been approved and aims to protect tenants even more, understanding your rights properly helps to equip you.
“Landlords can take any part of your deposit if they want”
Deposits are legally protected, usually held in a government-backed tenancy deposit scheme, and their purpose is to cover genuine damages or unpaid rent, not to punish you.
When a landlord or agency holds your deposit, it’s usually in relation to how the property was left when you moved out. Things like lost keys, holes in the walls from picture frames, or other justifiable damage can provide grounds for them to retain part of it, but it must always be reasonable and supported by evidence.
That’s why it’s a good idea to take detailed photos or videos of every room when you move out. This way, you have proof of how the property was left, making it much harder for anyone to unfairly withhold your deposit.
“Students can only rent “student-specific” properties”
It’s true that some properties may have restrictions for students-only or no students in a property. But that doesn’t mean there’s a universal rule that if you’re a student, you cannot rent regular properties. As long as there are no known restrictions, and you’re eligible for that property, there’s nothing stopping you.
“You’re only responsible for your share of the rent”
Yes and no - this highly depends on the type of property and what contract you signed.
In some cases, each tenant has an individual agreement with the landlord, meaning you’re only responsible for your own portion of the rent. But in many shared houses, especially with joint tenancy agreements, everyone on the lease is jointly responsible for the full rent. That means if one person can’t pay their share, the landlord can ask the other tenants to cover it.
It’s definitely something to check before you sign and ask about how rent liability works, whether you’re on a joint or individual lease, and what happens if someone falls behind. Knowing this upfront can save a lot of stress later and help you avoid awkward conversations with housemates about money.
“Every student street is a non-stop party street”
It can be true that students party hard, but that’s not the case for everyone. It highly depends on the people. Some university students are older, more mature students with different goals and preferences when it comes to social life.
If you’re looking to join a household and you have a particular preference, you can ask ahead of time what they do in their spare time. But this one is definitely a myth - not every student street is a party street.
“Student housing is always expensive”
Student accommodation can be pricey in some student buildings with individual rooms, but they also usually come with reception staff, security, gyms, cinema rooms, and more amenities, providing a more premium experience. However, there are plenty of other options, such as shared houses or even student halls, that are affordable. You can explore different options using our tool.
With social media flourishing, it’s easy to spread rumours and misinformation online, even from individual accounts that seem credible. Always fact-check your sources before believing it’s true, and if there’s anything you’re unsure of, you can always contact your student service team at your university.
