Renting in the private sector can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re new to it. When moving from halls of residence to private sector housing there’s a lot to think about, but the Money and Housing Advice Service and University of London Housing Service (ULHS) can help.
Where to start
To help you start your search for your next student house, read our guide to finding somewhere suitable and affordable to live. ULHS have also produced a helpful private housing guide which covers everything you need to know about renting in the private sector.
You can find more advice and guidance on Student Services Online:
For more articles relating to housing, including council tax when you’re a student, visit the Housing & accommodation support section on Student Services Online.
Get involved in Private Sector Renting Week, 25 – 28 March 2024
In-person events:
Housing pop up stall at The Arcade, Bush House, Tuesday 26 March 2024, 11.00 – 15.00
Come and chat to the Money and Housing Advice Service about how they can support you with your next move. The King’s Student Money Mentors are also on hand to share their experiences and top tips for renting in London.
Wellbeing Hub at The Shack, Bush House, Wednesday 27 March 2024, 13.00 – 15.00
The Money and Housing Advice Service are joining the Faculty Wellbeing Advisors at the Wellbeing Hub. Hear their advice and top tips on finding suitable and affordable accommodation, supporting your wellbeing and reducing the stress of searching for your next student home.
Online events:
Looking for Accommodation webinar, Thursday 4 March, 11.00 - 11.45
This webinar by University of London Housing Services will take you through the basics of finding a student property to rent in London. Including where to look, what kind of accommodation to look for, what you should expect to pay, and how to avoid scams. There will also be a Q&A at the end. This event is open to KCL students only.
Where to look for somewhere to live
A quick Google search will bring up pages of housing providers and platforms but how can you tell which are legitimate and which ones are potential scams?
You may wish to stick to the University of London property database or letting agents who are registered with a professional body.
Many students use other online platforms such as listing websites. We recommend that you read our guide to accommodation scams before using these listing websites.
Which area of London should you live in?
King’s students live all over London. Some students choose to live withing walking distance of their campus whilst others choose to live further away and commute. Your choice might depend on price, availability or just personal preference. Unlike other cities, there's no singular ‘student area’ in London.
Start looking for properties in a few different areas that you are interested in. The Mayor of London has published a rent map of London which compares the average price of a wide variety of property types across different areas of London. You might want to consider what shops are close by, transport links and if the area suits your needs.
The King’s Student Money Mentors have shared their experiences of living in different areas across London which are popular with students. This may also help you find an area to focus your search in.
Need further advice or support?
Check the Money and Housing Advice Service website for more information.