Never send money only because someone creates urgency or refuses a viewing or verifiable video tour.
Home / Renting basics
Find a base, not a bad surprise.
Know what to verify, what the true monthly cost looks like and what evidence to keep before you commit to a room or tenancy.
Real property, clear contract, protected money and a move-in record.
Start the guide ↓In England, right-to-rent checks can apply to private tenancies, while many student halls are exempt.
Record the property condition, meter readings and supplied items as soon as you move in.
01 / Home checked
Verify the home and the person offering it.
A polished listing is not proof that a property, landlord or agent is genuine.
See the property
View in person when possible. If you cannot, ask for a live video tour that shows the street, entrance, room, shared areas and working facilities.
Verify the agent
Check the business website, office details, redress-scheme membership and that payment details match the contracting party.
Read before paying
Understand what a holding deposit reserves, when it can be retained and what happens if the tenancy does not proceed.
02 / Home checked
Calculate the true monthly cost.
Rent is only one line in the cost of living there.
Bills
Confirm whether electricity, gas, water, internet and any service charges are included or separate.
Council Tax
Full-time students are often disregarded for Council Tax, but households and exemption evidence matter. Check with the local council.
Travel
Add the time and price of reaching campus, work, food shops and late-night transport.
03 / Home checked
Protect the move-in moment.
Good records give you a calmer tenancy and stronger evidence if a dispute appears later.
Contract
Check names, property address, rent, payment dates, length, notice terms, included bills and restrictions before signing.
Deposit
In England, qualifying tenancy deposits must use a government-approved protection scheme. Keep the prescribed information.
Inventory
Take timestamped photos and video of every room, mark existing damage and record meter readings on arrival.
Accommodation search / official links
Use a platform to search—not to skip the checks.
These services can widen a shortlist, but the property, contract, payment recipient and cancellation terms still need independent verification.
Read this first
Never pay simply because a listing platform looks familiar. Confirm who you are contracting with and which organisation handles the booking, deposit, rent, support and any refund. Approved affiliate links are labelled beside the button if activated later.
Student accommodation marketplaceUK and international student cities
Amber
Search student rooms and request booking support across multiple cities.
- Best for
- Students building a shortlist of purpose-built student accommodation before or after arriving in the UK.
- To unlock it
- Filter by city, dates, room type and budget, then verify the building, provider, included bills and full cancellation terms.
- Watch for
- Check who takes payment and who manages the tenancy. A marketplace listing is not a substitute for reading the provider’s agreement.
Short-stay accommodation platformUK and international
Booking.com
Compare short stays that may help during arrival week or before a tenancy begins.
- Best for
- A temporary first stay while attending viewings, waiting for halls or handling a gap between contracts.
- To unlock it
- Check the full price, property location, guest rules, payment timing and cancellation conditions before booking.
- Watch for
- A hotel, hostel or short stay is not a student tenancy and may be expensive long term. Read the property-specific terms and verified reviews.
Compare / decide
Compare the place, not just the room.
Score every option using the same questions.
| Area | Confirm | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | Who owns or manages the property? | Payment to an unrelated personal account |
| Contract | What is the commitment and how can it end? | Pressure to sign without reading |
| Total cost | Which bills and charges are additional? | Vague answers about utilities or fees |
| Condition | Are heating, locks, alarms and appliances working? | Refusal to show shared areas or defects |
| Location | What is the real daytime and late-night journey? | A map pin that does not match the address |
Optional saved progress
Your action checklist.
Tick items off as you go. Progress is remembered between visits only if you allow saved preferences.
Official sources
Check the source, not the rumour.
Rules, fees and eligibility can change. These links take you to the organisations responsible for the guidance.