Study Abroad in UK Student Housing

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Table of Contents

Introduction- UK housing

Housing in the United Kingdom represents the largest non-financial asset class in the UK; its overall net value passed the £5 trillion mark in 2014. About 30% of homes are owned outright by their occupants, and a further 40% are owner-occupied on a mortgage. About 18% are social housing of some kind, and the remaining 12% are privately rented.

The UK ranks in the top half of EU countries with regard to rooms per person, amenities, and quality of housing. However, the cost of housing as a proportion of income is higher than average among EU countries, and the increasing cost of housing in the UK may constitute a housing crisis for some, especially for those in low income brackets or in high-cost areas such as London.

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Cost of Student Accommodation in UK

In 2017, the average student rent came to £125 per week, or £535 a month, however, students in London can expect to pay an average of £182 a week, or £640 a month. The average annual cost for students is £4,875 (based on a 39-week contract). Most rents include bills of some kind, although one-third of students will pay bills on top of rent.

At the end of a typical three-year undergraduate degree, the expected total cost for accommodation is £14,625. A maintenance loan is available from the government for home and EU students to cover living costs (including accommodation). 

Students will typically stay in university accommodation for the first year and then move to private housing for the second and third years. University accommodation costs will vary depending on where in the UK the student is based and which kind of accommodation they opt for.

Other essential student costs

Utility bills (water, gas and electric) in rented accommodation are approximately £50 per month, with mobile phone bills ranging from £10 to 40. Broadband internet costs about £20 per month, however this is split between tenants.

Books and university equipment, on average, will cost £15 per week, or £60 per month.

Outside London and other major university cities, an average single bus journey is about £1.50 and £45 a month for a student travel card. Students at central London universities should expect to spend £23 a week on travel (covering London Underground, buses, trams and trains) or £140 a month. 

UK Housing Application

Begin

To start your application:

  • Go to myUK (myUK.uky.edu)
  • Login using your linkblue username and password
  • Select Student Services
  • Select My Info
  • Select Campus Housing (this will take you into the Campus Housing portal)
  • Select Undergraduate Application then Fall 2020 and Spring 2021

Personal Details

Help provide us with some personal details to get your application started off right.

Background

Provide us with some information about your background.

Living Learning Program

An important part of deciding where to live on campus is deciding whether to apply for a Living Learning Program. A Living Learning Program, or LLP, is a group of students with similar specialties or interests who live in a specific residence. Our Living Learning Programs allow you to be part of an active and united community focused on your interests, specialties or professional career. Our communities are designed to help you succeed both inside and outside the classroom and help you make the most of your university experience. Visit the Living Learning Program website for more information on the different programs to choose from for the 2020-2021 academic year.

The Deadline for Early Action Track to apply for LLP is February 15. If you are in the Regular Decision Track, you must complete the LLP section of the application before May 15. You have the option of requesting up to three LLPs. Keep in mind that your acceptance in the LLP will determine your building assignment, since each community resides in specific residences. Apart from the Academic Community – Quad Honors, all LLP students will be roommates with another member of their LLP.

There are four steps to joining an LLP:

  1. Apply to Housing
  2. Preference up to three (3) LLPs and complete the essay question (if required)
  3. Receive LLP Offer
  4. Accept the LLP Offer by May 20

Below is a summary of the application tracks and room selection begin dates.

   Room Selection Begin Dates 
TracksApply to UKApply to Campus HousingStudents that accepted an LLP offer*All Other Students
Early ActionDecember 1Before February 15March 6Mid-April
Regular DecisionAfter December 1Before May 1On-GoingJune 1
  After May 1As space availableAs space available

*Eligibility to participate in LLP room selection requires you to accept the Living Learning Program (LLP) offer via the Housing portal.

Vaccination against meningitis

The University of Kentucky requires that you be vaccinated against meningitis in order to live on campus. Log in to the patient health portal for students to upload immunization records. Please follow these instructions. Please do not send to the Campus Housing office.

Housing preference

To explore the details of residential facilities and the types of rooms offered, visit our website. You will select your own room assignment. However, we ask that you select an area of ​​the campus in case we have to assign it. Listing your preference does not guarantee or reserve a specific residence, room type or campus area.

You can revisit and update your housing preference until May 15, 2020. After that, if you need to change your housing allowance, participate in the room exchange process or contact Campus Housing for help.

Personal preferences

In this section, you will complete the roommate correspondence questions and provide additional information about you to help find a suitable roommate. If the privacy flag box is checked in the Personal Preferences step, it will not be visible to other students.

Contract

Nothing is official without a signature! Your request is a legal document. Take a few minutes to read the entire contract, then digitally sign the contract accepting the terms of this contract. It is important to keep in mind that housing and food are for the entire academic year, both in the fall and spring semesters. If you cancel your contract, there are fees that apply after certain dates. If you are under 18, you must have your parents or legal guardians sign the contract.

Food

Explore meal plan options and choose the best option for you. A meal plan must be selected before July 21, 2020, or you will be assigned our default plan.

Roommate Requests

Request up to three roommates if you have any. Students who apply must have an active application and have made their profile public so they can choose them. You can invite or be invited to a group of roommates. You can ask your roommates at the time of completing your application. Roommate groups must be created and verified by the leader before moving on to the Room Selection. Being in a group of roommates does not guarantee an assignment with this group. The group leader must take you to the same suite while you are doing the Room Selection process.

You do not need to have a roommate to participate in the Room Selection.

Room selection

New students will have the opportunity to select their room and roommate with whom they will live in a process called Room Selection. We do not guarantee that students can select a specific residence, room type or campus area.

Returning students will begin to select their room immediately, while incoming freshmen will choose their room in April, May or June, depending on the housing application route they are in and that is linked to the application date.

  Dates and Deadlines
 EARLY ACTION TRACKREGULAR DECISION TRACK
Deadline to Apply for AdmissionDecember 1February 15
Housing & LLP Application DeadlineFebruary 15May 1
Room Selection ProcessMid-AprilMid-May
LLP Acceptance DeadlineMay 15May 15
Meal Plan Selection DeadlineJuly 21July 21

How to Find Housing Abroad in UK

Finding the ideal home in UK can be complicated.  Here are some tips from our friends at Study Abroad Apartments on how to find your dream accommodation:

1. Research on studying housing options in UK

It is very important to do a lot of homework and check the atmosphere of your destination city in UK, and all its corners.  Explore the Internet for information on the cost of living, new local hobbies you can acquire, different neighborhoods, what is popular with students, how to find bargains and where the safest areas are.  Unlike homework, this can be a very fun stage of your accommodation search in UK.  You will get a good idea of ​​the place and set realistic expectations.

2. Location, location, location.

One of the main things to consider when finding accommodation to study in UK is in which area of ​​the city you want to live.  The location depends on many subjective aspects, so questions such as:

  • Do you want to live a short distance from your place of study?
  • Do you want to live in the same building as other students?
  • Do you want to be near a great bar that someone recommended you?

If the foreign housing or apartment in which you are interested is a little further from the city center, where lead check public transport lines.  Know how you will go from point A to point B. Keep in mind that some areas will be expensive than others.  It is better to decide in which area you want to live in UK before you start looking for an apartment; you don’t want to end up with a two-hour daily trip from your classes or across the city from all the great meeting places!

3. Set a budget … and keep it!

The next important question to keep in mind: how much do you want to spend on your housing options to study in UK?  It is important to establish a monthly budget to avoid unpleasant surprises!  Note that for some apartments, invoices are not included in the price of the monthly rent (ie, you may need to pay wifi, gas, water and electricity above).  Be sure to carefully read the descriptions of the apartments of study in UK, calculate what you are willing to spend and ask any questions when it is unclear.

When planning your study abroad budget, you should know what is realistic.  During your investigation, you will become familiar with what you can expect from your budget.  Be sure to only look for studio apartments abroad within your budget (assuming it is reasonable); This will save you from having your heart set on apartments that are beyond your financial reach.  You are tons of affordable accommodation options, and just think, Any money not spent in a luxury apartment can be used for activities funny when in UK!

4. Talk to your friends, parents and colleagues about  Housing in UK

Be sure to discuss your accommodation options in UK with other students (maybe your parents too) and people who have lived in your destination city before.  This can make finding apartments in UK much easier than going alone!  All internal knowledge about which areas are “developing”, what to avoid at all costs, and tips to help you manage your expectations, everything will be super useful.  However, always use your contacts and the closest and dearest ones wisely.

5. Follow the flow, but don’t hesitate too much.

It can be difficult to find a study department in UK that suits your preferences perfectly, so it should be a bit flexible.  If you can’t find something on your first search, don’t give up; There is something for everyone!  Accommodation platforms for studying in UK, such as Study in UK Apartments, constantly add new options for studying in UK.

Don’t let your home in UK be stressful

Keep in mind: accommodation options for studying in UK tend to be booked super fast in the most popular student cities, which is why you need to reserve your study apartment in UK in Barcelona, ​​Madrid or Paris as soon as possible.  Before you know it, the apartment you had your eyes on will be occupied by another person!  We understand that you may not want to reserve the first thing you find (that is, you may have to interact with your group or consult with your parents), but it is important to find the right balance between doing enough research and not thinking about it. Just remember, there are other students like you waiting for that perfect home in UK too!

Cheap Student Accommodation in UK

At the end of this list of the cheap student accommodation in, you will find a link through which you will be able to go to a page where you can apply for the accommodation.

The international student accommodation market Student.com has launched its Global Student Accommodation Indicator.

The report analyzes the most expensive and affordable cities in the United Kingdom, and in the world, for student housing.

It is based on the weekly rent spent by more than 8,000 students, who booked accommodation in 92 cities around the world through the website last year.

Globally, New York, Boston and London were ranked as the most expensive cities in the world for students.

However, the report also revealed that, apart from London, the United Kingdom has a variety of affordable cities. Students in the cheapest city in the United Kingdom even spend 50% less on their rent than the national average in the United Kingdom.

Student.com founder and CEO Luke Nolan said: “It is clear that large urban centers around the world remain huge magnets for national and international students. On average, students pay more to live in these cities, but that does not mean that there are no more affordable options available. “

These are the 19 cheapest cities for student accommodation in the United Kingdom, sorted in descending order by weekly rental price.

19. Durham — £139 per week.

  • The historic city of Durham is home to Durham University, which was recently named the fourth best in the UK.

18. St Andrews — £138 per week.

  • Alison Millington
  • The third best university in the UK, St Andrews, also happens to be the spot where Will and Kate met.

17. Leicester — £137 per week.

  • NotFromUtrecht/Wikimedia Commons
  • Studying at the public research-based University of Leicester will set you back around £137 per week in rent.

16. Leeds — £137 per week.

  • Shahid Khan/Shutterstock
  • A popular student city, Leeds is home to four universities.

15. Chester — £137 per week.

  • Shutter stock
  • The walled city of Chester is the perfect spot to study, with rent costing around £137 per week.

14. Nottingham — £132 per week.

  • Lucian Milasan/Shutterstock
  • The city’s two universities, Nottingham Trent University and University of Nottingham, have several campuses across the city.

13. Huddersfield — £130 per week.

  • Alastair Wallace / Shutterstock
  • Attend the University of Huddersfield and pay around £130 a week in rent.

12. Sheffield — £130 per week.

  • Shahid Khan/Shutterstock
  • University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University bring a combined total of around 60,000 students to the city each year, meaning housing options are crucial.

11. Canterbury — £126 per week.

  • Peter/Flickr
  • Despite being a historic English cathedral city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, studying in Canterbury means only paying around £126 per week.

10. Lincoln — £115 per week.

  • Another cathedral city, Lincoln is home to Bishop Grosseteste University and the larger University of Lincoln.

9. Loughborough — £105 per week.

  • Yuangeng Zhang / Shutterstock
  • Named the seventh best university in the UK, Loughborough University is known for its sport scholarship.

8. Middlesbrough — £103 per week.

  • Ann in the uk / Shutterstock
  • Teesside University has more than 20,000 students who pay around £103 a week in rent.

7. Preston — £103 per week.

  • Leonid Andronov/Shutterstock
  • Preston is home to University of Central Lancashire, known as UCLan.

6. Lancaster — £101 per week.

  • The ninth best university in the country, studying at Lancaster University will set you back around £101 per week in rent.

5. Bradford — £100 per week.

  • Russel Watkins/Shuttesrtock
  • Pay only £100 a week in rent if you opt to study at University of Bradford.

4. Wolverhampton — £99 per week.

  • Shutterstock
  • The main higher education institution in the city is the University of Wolverhampton.

3. Sunderland — £95 per week.

  • Reading Tom/Flickr
  • The third cheapest city in the UK for student housing, Sunderland is home to the University of Sunderland.

2. Dundee — £94 per week.

  • Lisa A/Shutterstock
  • Choosing to study at the University of Dundee means living in the second cheapest city for student housing in the country.

1. Hull — £85 per week.

  • Daniel J Rao/Shutterstock
  • Students in the UK city of Hull, the cheapest in the country for student housing, spend 50% less on their rent than the UK national average, according to Student.com.

You can apply and pay for any of this accommodation through this link – See Link Here

Student Accommodation Websites

Whether you are looking for platforms for roommates, solo studios, shared apartments, university residences or family homes, there is a website just so you can facilitate the process of securing accommodation abroad.  Gone are the days of appearing in residential buildings for unmarked students in hidden university corners;  Feel comfortable having the power of Internet filters and friendly chat platforms to get exactly what you want (and who!).

List of accommodation websites

1. Housing anywhere

Beginning as a sublet platform where exchange students could rent their own rooms while studying abroad, Housing Anywhere soon became one of the most important names of housing options abroad.  Its large user base and its wide coverage (in more than 400 cities around the world) means that there is a lot of current traffic to get through, for once, something good!  It collaborates with more than 130 universities, so they are quite legitimate and there are many different accommodation options (rooms, studio apartments, etc.).

Pros: Super fast and friendly customer service (who wants dozens of template emails as replies?), Large and reliable user base, many filter options, easy to use, 48 hour security cancellation policy, good  List map view


Cons: Service fee to guarantee bank transfers without scams (but that is not such a bad guarantee when it comes to a large amount of foreign money, or?), There are not so many options in all countries

Official Website

2. Study abroad Apartments

Study Abroad Apartments offers most of the accommodation options abroad: bedrooms, full apartments, shared apartments, even roommate arrangements.  It’s good that you can search alone or as a couple, and the results map feature is useful for understanding exactly where your new home will be.  What is really cool is that there are local representatives in the cities listed on the SAA list, so there is always someone to talk to (go and ask for the most modern neighborhoods, about transportation options and the best coffee in  the city), both before and after.  After the reservation process.  While there are a limited number of cities, this would be a super easy option for international student housing if you get more listings!

Pros: efficient live chat, nice page layout, roommate search service, local knowledge representative, verified listings, all listings are fully furnished, “Couple only” filter option
Cons: Only in 13 cities, most listings seem a bit more expensive than other sites

Official Website

3. Roomi

If you want to start your study abroad experience with new best friends, Roomi is a great way to do it.  While it is only for those who do not mind sharing a flat (or room) with others, the number of housing filters and the opportunities to find the perfect vegan yoga guru are quite impressive (this list is reduced to type filters  pet, washing machines in the unit and types of wifi connection).  The ability to connect directly with other users is super fast, simple and efficient, so you do not need to wait for long and uncomfortable results “it has been matched!”;  You decide who you want to be friends with.  It looks great for friendship as well as for real estate.

Pros: Very cozy website design (great balance between elegance and efficiency), in-depth roommate comparison process, easy to review house rules and amenities at a glance, 24/7 customer service, blob  live, nice user videos, amazing chat service for new roommates (potentials), good duration filter (instead of exact dates, you can choose general options of “short”, “medium” or “long stay”)

Cons: There are not many cities (yet, but it seems to be constantly growing), only shared housing options, automatic connection to Facebook profile (for those who want more privacy …), background check payment (optional)

Official Website

  4. 4stay

With more than 100,000 listings in cities around the world and about 3,000 major universities, 4stay has many different options for accommodation abroad once it really starts to scroll down (because the view of the homepage made me  feel like something cold and inaccessible).  There are many comprehensive reviews by students and interns studying abroad, and they have appeared in many reputable publications (Forbes, Washington Business Journal, etc.), which gives them credibility and a great deal of professionalism.  The website was founded by former students studying abroad, so they know exactly what is more complicated when they are looking for accommodation abroad, but they also have an interface and a user base that seems more professional than just fish from  University.  In addition, they have been backed by the same Silicon Valley investors who initially financially supported Dropbox and PayPal, so the laws of some logic or another should be excellent.

Pros: Insurance guarantee, no deposit required, flexible cancellation options, different housing options, many legitimate business associations, various housing options, enthusiastic customer service reviews, various types of housing.
Cons: repeated page loading errors for advanced search (perhaps current maintenance?), Limitations on the search for dates.

Official Website

5. Beroomers

We love the design of Beroomers, even if it seems to have limited coverage and maybe the available locations don’t have the easiest instant access.  Most of the accommodation options seem to be in Spain and Portugal, but they also have many more accommodation options abroad in this part of the world than in other places (therefore, this is for all your tapas and porto friends). Although it seems to have mainly apartment options and the price seems higher than some of the other overseas accommodation websites, there are some small random cities that are offered here that I couldn’t find elsewhere.  According to other reviews, it also seems that there are still some technical reservation problems to solve, but the website has a friendly feeling, so we expect any problem to be resolved quickly.

Pros: cute “cultural articles”, friendly design, active blog, fully verified listings, protection 24 hours after the move, can make reservations for a third person (ahem, parent units, connect us!)

Cons: I can only contact the hosts after the reservation is finished, limited cities (mainly in Spain) that would be nice to see as a map view instead of a list of countries, very limited lists abroad in more places  Small, some complaints about inefficient customer service, conflicting availability listed on the site v.  in real life.

Official Website

 6. University rooms

The concept of university rooms is that empty rooms are rented, with availability mainly during the summer months, but also during the academic year.  This offers people (not just students) the option of staying in empty university rooms: shared, single rooms, studio apartments.  This sounds like a valid option for university activities or visits, especially with large groups, for shorter visits abroad.  While the design is a bit serious and not so cozy, this is an alternative on student accommodation websites, since it strictly caters to university campuses.

Pros: guaranteed cleaning, possibility of staying in accommodation on campus, even if you are not a student, large group options.
Cons: There are no off-campus accommodation options, mainly based in the United Kingdom, a box-type design, very limited results options for more cities, mostly short-stay options.

Official Website

7. Homestays

Homestay offers … well, authentic homestay experiences in more than 160 countries around the world.  What is really cool is that you can filter by the type of host you are interested in (pet lover, yoga teacher, fans of the place) or type of housing (historic house, downtown location, “strange and wonderful”)  .  This is also a good option for those looking for real connections with the locals (hip hop jargon and delicious meals), and the time periods are very flexible, since students are not served exclusively.  In addition, there is an option for a mailing list of “insider travel tips,” which sends travel inspiration and featured discounts directly to your inbox.  For those looking for the experience of the package in addition to only four walls, this seems to be the best bet.

Pros: Great concept for local housing options, cultural immersion opportunities, extensive listings in several countries (and some very out-of-network),
Cons: several reviews of less than excellent conditions, so the verification process may not be as strict. Obviously, only family accommodation options. Technical problems with the application, some complaints about (lack of) customer service.

Official Website

8. Uniplaces

Started in 2013, Uniplaces soon became the most used international student accommodation option in Europe.  While they claim that they want to offer the most personalized experience to each individual, the filters seem basic and not offered much beyond a single room.  There are not many matching options (some houses seem to rent several rooms, so there is really no way to know who you will end up with), but many users, many options.  We believe that this was probably one of the first platforms of this type, so it has one of the biggest user followers, but some of the newer websites actually seem more accessible and easy to use.  On the other hand, there are definitely advantages to cite as a reliable service in several leading publications across the continent.

Pros: simple interface, minimum navigation / usage requirements, very fast communication with customer service, widespread use, accredited name.
Cons: only available in Europe, some experienced / informed search problems (problems with loading pages), limited owner interaction before arrival, higher service rate than others

Official Website

UK Housing for International Students

Accommodation in UK is the first and the biggest challenge you’ll have to tackle as a foreign student.

Most common types of accommodation for international students in UK are:

  • University Dorms
  • Private Dorms
  • Apartment
  • Rooms in private houses

However, selecting one that matches your wishes and most importantly, your financial resources, is difficult. In addition, you have little time, because classes will soon begin. That said, you need a plan in advance.

Cost

The cost of accommodation in the United Kingdom varies greatly. Even in the same city, the range of accommodation costs can be very large. Naturally, as an international student, saving as much money as possible is a priority for you. And knowing that rent is the highest expense you will have when studying abroad, finding affordable accommodation will ease a great financial burden.

But, to get the best offer of accommodation in the UK, you must make some commitments first. That said otherwise, you should adjust your preferences to your financial capabilities if you do not want the rental cost to be a large amount of money.

London is the largest city and by far the most expensive to live in the United Kingdom. The cost of accommodation in the city center is higher than in suburban neighborhoods, which is a common feature for large cities. If your university’s campus is located near downtown areas, then you should not try to find an apartment in the surrounding area.

For example, renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city center of London will cost £ 1,646 on average. With a little luck, you can find something around £ 1,200. The same apartment on the periphery has a monthly rent of £ 1,185 on average. The larger apartments cost much more than this, so in those cases, you must find roommates with whom you share the apartment and the cost of rent.

The table below shows the average monthly rent for ten cities in the UK:

CityRent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centerRent for a 1-bedroom apartment outside the city centerRent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centerRent for a 3-bedroom apartment outside the city center
London£1,730£1,235£3,320£2,050
Edinburgh£770£605£1,380£1,050
Cardiff£700£540£1,190£910
Belfast£630£435£960£650
Manchester£755£545£1,345£840
Liverpool£660£470£1,018£665
Glasgow£620£445£1,230£850
Cambridge£1,030£820£1,700£1,300
Oxford£1,060£870£2,050£1,500
Bath£800£680£1,430£1,000

Location

As you can expect, urban areas have higher rental prices than rural areas in the United Kingdom. But even within urban areas, there are still affordable options for foreign students, which can be easily found by conducting some research.

In downtown areas, you can hardly find a cheap lodging place to rent. In contrast, apartments and private homes on the periphery have lower rental prices. In addition to minor disadvantages, such as the distance from the city center, they are quieter, safer, less traffic-laden and many students reside there, making it a great opportunity to socialize.

Well, you may have to travel daily to attend classes, but the total cost of your bus ticket will not equal the rent you would pay if you live in the city center. In addition, there are different convenient types of transport such as bicycle.

Furnished apartments

Naturally, you should minimize the cost of rent as much as you can. But, to the limit, you won’t have to sacrifice your needs for a comfortable place to live, just to save some money. Furnished apartments are a perfect option for people studying abroad because they do not need to buy furniture on their own, which they will sell when they return home.

The good news is that the cost gap between furnished and unfurnished apartments is very small. In addition, furnished apartment owners ensure that their apartments have everything in place to be the first choice of incoming foreign students. Therefore, it is very preferable that you always look for furnished apartments. You can usually ask the landlord or an agent to do it for you.

If you need to know if an apartment is furnished, you can visit Gumtree.

 

Does my university help me to accommodate?

Today, the number of students going abroad to obtain a university degree is a trend. To accommodate as many international students as possible, UK universities have increased the number of student residences. However, unfortunately there are no places for everyone. And these students have a hard time finding a place to live.

To address this problem, universities are trying to establish certain agencies incorporated on their campus to help their incoming foreign students find a convenient place to accommodate. Most universities in the United Kingdom already offer these services. After being admitted to a university, you can contact them personally and ask them if they offer such help. They can organize everything even before arriving in the UK.

Tips for finding a good accommodation in United Kingdom

1. Do your research

Having a general idea of ​​where in the city you would like to live and what are the options available to you, helps you solve this problem in a short time.

Today, doing research is an easy task. You can simply sit in your living room and start surfing the Internet. There are many useful resources, including many websites for housing in the United Kingdom.

You can investigate the trend of rental prices and get an idea of ​​where it can be cheaper and convenient for you. In addition, you can join the online student forums where you can freely ask students who have already been through this before you.

2. See if there are private bedrooms around

In the university dormitories, there are not enough places for every incoming foreign student and, therefore, many private dormitories are built to accommodate the rest. In cities where the flow of international students is large, there are probably many of them. It should really give them priority because they are cheaper accommodation facilities than private apartments and offer similar conditions to those in university dormitories.

These facilities also have their own libraries, cafeteria, residences and additional facilities to practice other activities such as sports. In addition to this, it is a great opportunity to socialize with students. In other words, it will be a warm environment typical of students.

3. Organize everything before arriving

As a student, time is everything to you. If you manage to organize everything on time, you can concentrate completely on your studies, which really should be your only concern.

Although it may be difficult to organize your accommodation from home, it is much better if you at least make a checklist of the sources and agencies with which you will be contacted to meet your accommodation request when you arrive in the United Kingdom.

Your first port of call should be your university. Your international student office will certainly help you with your research or take it on your own.

Tip: If you conduct an online investigation, always make sure you get information from reliable resources. Unfortunately, there may be fraudulent websites that try to benefit from you while causing damage to the process.

4. Find roommates

If you have no other option instead of occupying a private flat or apartment, we suggest that you share it with another person. Whether in London or in a much cheaper place to stay in the United Kingdom, the rental price is too high for a single student.

5. Make sure the accommodation includes everything you need

Before deciding to choose a place of accommodation over other options, always make sure that it contains everything you need. Surely the price is important, but you should aim for the best deal. If there are no basic conditions for life, you should not rent it.

6. Collect information about the location.

The location of your accommodation is very important. In addition, you can determine the rental price to some extent, you will also have other advantages along the way. First, it can be the distance from your campus. Naturally, you should try to find an apartment as close as possible.

In addition, you can see if there is sufficient accessibility to the downtown areas. If you travel to your university daily, you want to find a neighborhood where there are bicycle lanes to drive safely. Later, you can search if there are stores where you can buy.

How to Rent a Room to International Students

You have a free room available, or, at least, you will do it as soon as you remove that decorative treadmill.  When you open that room for rent, you can open an additional source of income.  On top of that, renting to international students can encourage intercultural exchanges.  (Also, here are 8 excellent reasons to rent to international students!) Are you curious to know what steps you should take to rent a room to international students?

Here are some easy steps to follow to rent to international students.  (Spoiler alert: it’s easy!)

Prepare your house

First things first, clean the free room.  We understand: replacement rooms can be messy.  Donate to charities (hello, tax deduction!) And see if you can even save some time by having a local charity collect the donated products at your door.  Then, give some space to your space, either patching a wall or giving the carpet a good deep clean.

Photograph your rental space

Do you remember when the real estate mantra was “location, location, location?”  That is still true.  Rentals in university cities have a remarkable performance.  But, now, we would add that high quality photographs are also a large part of the equation.  Usually, tenants can go through an open house or visit before signing the lease.  But, in many cases, international students will make their rental purchases completely online, so it is very valuable to have excellent photos to show your space.  If you do not plan to hire a professional to photograph your space, here are some professional tips: use natural light and take photos during those golden hours near sunrise and sunset when the sun’s rays are soft.  Use a wide angle lens or even panoramic settings on your smartphone’s camera to accurately capture space.  For the bonus round, you can lightly organize the room to help give a description of the space.

Add some enhancers

Some extras can make your space more valuable.  Because the majority of international students are in the United States in the short term, it is impractical for them to invest in full bedroom sets, for example.  If you can furnish a room with some basic elements, for example, a bed, a dresser, a bedside table, a TV, it could be a simple way to make your property more marketable.  Other tips?  A room with a private bathroom or a basement suite with kitchenette could translate into higher rental rates.

Study the market rate

When you buy or sell a house, compensation reports help establish market rates.  The rent is a bit more complicated.  Curious how much should I charge for the rent?  Make some comparative purchases: go ahead, check other properties in Roomdock in your same zip code, for example.

Register in Roomdock

It is easy to navigate from here.  You can include your rent in Roomdock and we will help you find the perfect match.  You will complete a profile.  Go ahead, say something about yourself!  Easy to complete fields will help you market your property and services.  For our part, we verify identities to keep members safe.  That means checking phone numbers, email addresses, social media accounts and government documents to ensure there are no scams!  You can also decide what minimum rental requirements you will have, whether it is a background check, proof of income verification, interview and include it in your rental list.  From there, we will help you match it with potential tenants.

Get a lease in writing    

Make sure the lease agreement sets the rental rate and when the rent expires.  Articulate information on late payment charges, security deposits and agree on public service charges and what is included in the basic rental rates.  So, it is a good idea to reach a roommate agreement for your shared space.  This will help you set expectations for quiet time, whether guests are allowed, or maybe even set rules for common areas and a laundry schedule.

Track your rental income and expenses

Any income generated through the rental is subject to taxes.  Be sure to keep track of expenses, as that can deduct them.  (For example, if you pay for background checks, you can count it as an expense).

Best Apartments Near University of Kentucky

Belmont Run Apartments Lexington, KY

  • 2 Wks Ago
  • 1232 Man O War Pl, Lexington, KY 40504
  • 1 Bed $710
  • 0.2 miles to campus
  • Email Property(844) 781-4364

718 Hambrick Ave Unit 1

  • 718 Hambrick Ave, Lexington, KY 40508
  • Studio $630
  • 0.8 miles to campus
  • Email Property(859) 353-6278

The Axis at 1435

  • Updated Today
  • 1435 Nicholasville Rd, Lexington, KY 40503
  • Studio – 1 Bed $615 – $725
  • Email Property(859) 286-6007

342 Waller Ave Unit 3B

  • 4 Days Ago
  • 342 Waller Ave, Lexington, KY 40504
  • 1 Bed $750
  • 0.3 miles to campus
  • Email Property(859) 286-2237

Park Plaza Apartments

  • 4 Days Ago
  • 120 E Main St, Lexington, KY 40507
  • Studio – 2 Beds $859 – $1,815

 

Limestone Square Apartments: Campus/Downtown

  • 1 Day Ago
  • 129 Transcript Ave, Lexington, KY 40508
  • 1 – 3 Beds $535 – $825 / Person
  • Email Property(859) 286-6337

1580 Alexandria Dr Unit 8B

  • 3 Days Ago
  • 1580 Alexandria Dr, Lexington, KY 40504
  • 1 Bed $595
  • 2 miles to campus
  • Email Property(859) 402-1235

University Village

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  • 201-203 Simpson Ave, Lexington, KY 40504
  • 0 miles to campus
  • Email Property(844) 219-7634

414 E Maxwell St Unit 8

  • 1 Day Ago
  • 414 E Maxwell St, Lexington, KY 40508
  • 2 Beds $900
  • miles to campus
  • Email Property(859) 287-1573

Continental Square Apartments

  • Updated Today
  • 1508 Continental Square Dr, Lexington, KY 40505
  • Studio – 1 Bed $604 – $684
  • 2.5 miles to campus
  • Email Property(859) 286-2190

328 Aylesford Pl Unit 2

  • 1 Wk Ago
  • 328 Aylesford Pl, Lexington, KY 40508
  • 6 Beds $3,465
  • miles to campus
  • Email Property(859) 286-6202

www.campuscourtuk.com

  • 1 Day Ago
  • 935 Red Mile Rd, Lexington, KY 40504
  • 1 – 3 Beds $519 – $889 / Person
  • 0.6 miles to campus
  • Email Property(859) 286-6348

367 Transylvania Park

  • 4 Days Ago
  • 367 Transylvania Park, Lexington, KY 40508
  • 3 Beds $1,399
  • miles to campus
  • Email Property(859) 286-2145

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 Cost of Living in UK


As an international student, one of the questions you will be wondering about is the cost of living in the United Kingdom. Of course, you should worry about the cost of the university, but what about the other costs that you will have to face there? Let’s take a quick look at some of the costs and how it can affect your budget if you study in the UK (all conversions in USD are based on a conversion rate of £ 1 to $ 1.55).

The cost of living in UK varies depending on what part of the country you live in.

If, as a student, you decide to live in London, you will pay much more than you would in other parts of the country. In March 2012, London was ranked as the 25th most expensive city to live. Of course, there are ways to get rid of some of the costs, but it will still be quite expensive.

For example, you can choose to live in the north of England instead of renting a house in the south of England, which turns out to be more expensive than the first. In general, costs vary widely throughout the United Kingdom, making it difficult to establish a cost of living in stone.

Much of this information comes from 2011, so you may have to adjust to inflation and, depending on where you live. These figures are based on what the public sees as a socially acceptable standard of living.

As a single student living in the United Kingdom, your weekly budget, including rent, must be approximately £ 240.89 ($ 370 USD). You can certainly live with less of that depending on the apartment you are renting, but that average (which comes out at £ 15,000 / $ 23,000 USD).

Rent: The average rent you will pay in the UK varies depending on where you live. A one-bedroom apartment has an average of £ 650 (~ $ 1000 USD) per month if you are in the city; £ 550 (~ $ 850 USD) if out of town. It can be more if your energy costs are included in the rent.

Municipal tax: if you live in the United Kingdom, you must pay the municipal tax. They calculate how much you should pay per year based on where you live and how many people live with you (if you live alone, it is much less). This tax helps pay for garbage collection, police forces and street maintenance. It usually averages around £ 25 ($ 40 USD) per week.

Other public services: if not included in the rent, the total gas, electricity and water per week is approximately £ 40 / $ 60 USD. If you live alone or are not in your home because you do tourism, socialize or study, these costs may be lower. The heat can also make public services vary, but that estimate should at least help you budget throughout the year.

Television license: in the United Kingdom, you must pay a television license if you are watching television, even if you are on a computer or tablet. The cost of the license is £ 150 ($ 230 USD) per year for a color television. Fortunately, this is for home and not per person, so if you have roommates, simply divide this cost.

Travel expenses: Many people in the UK will buy passes instead of having a vehicle. It makes the trip faster and you can travel much further for much less. A monthly pass for most services. averages at £ 55, but students can get great discounts. See our guide to Transportation in the United Kingdom for more information on public transport.

Mobile phone plan: While in the UK, you will probably get a local phone number to communicate with friends, family and other people. There are many mobile networks that you can choose from, some are cheaper and others more expensive depending on the services they offer. You can read more about telephone companies and UK plans here.

Other miscellaneous costs: such as food, internet, books, toiletries, telephone plan and other items and services you may need. Be sure to also save a certain amount of cash for possible health care problems that arise, excessive school costs you did not expect, and general emergencies.

Wondering about how much do specific things cost in UK?

Here’s a quick overview of some items that you may purchase as a student.

  • A meal at a pub or restaurant: £10 (15.50 USD).
  • Combo meal at a fast food restaurant: £5 (7.75 USD)
  • Liter of milk: £1 (1.55 USD)
  • 1 kg (2.2 lbs) of chicken breast: £7 (10.85 USD)
  • A pair of jeans: £51.25 ($80 USD)
  • Half of a liter of beer £3 ($4.65 USD)
  • 1.5 liter bottle of water £1 (1.55 USD)
  • Produce per kg: £1 to £2 (1.55 to 3.10 USD)

Conclusion

The UK ranks in the top half of EU countries with regard to rooms per person, amenities, and quality of housing. However, the cost of housing as a proportion of income is higher than average among EU countries, and the increasing cost of housing in the UK may constitute a housing crisis for some, especially for those in low income brackets or in high-cost areas such as London. As an international student, one of the questions you will be wondering about is the cost accommodation and living cost in the United Kingdom. Of course, you should worry about the cost of the university and related bills. This content was designed to help you get through those. Do well to go through it again if you have to. Because as an international student, your housing in the UK should be a top priority.

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