My top tips for finding accommodation

Where to begin?

When I first moved to Leeds as a first year international student, I knew that I wanted to live with a mix of British students and international students. I decided I wanted to live in student halls because I thought it would be a good method of meeting people. For this reason, I started my search through the university accommodation page. The university offers a number of different halls that each have their own unique offerings. The university sponsored housing has accessible rooms as well as living support provided through teams such as Student Wellbeing.

Choosing the best location

Because my course is taught on City Campus, I narrowed down my search by focusing on flats near the arts building. When choosing accommodation, it is important to consider where your classes are taught. If you live too far from your campus, you might have to rely on public transportation. Leeds is well-connected through bus systems, but it is an important factor to consider while deciding where to live. I decided to live in Arena Village because it was within my budget and only a 5-10 minute walk from my classes and the library. Living in the city also meant that I had an easier time accessing things located in town such as music venues, shopping, and restaurants. It is important to decide what kind of area you want to live in. If you like things a bit slower or quieter, Headingly area might be better. Headingly is beautiful, sporty, and full of independent cafes, pubs, and restaurants. It is important to consider other needs such as laundry facilities and proximity to food shops.

Private housing is also an option

If you have needs that can’t be met through university sponsored housing, there are plenty of other options in Leeds. There are neighbourhoods close to both campuses that provide excellent housing options. There are areas such as Burley, Kirkstall, Hyde Park, and Woodhouse that offer student accommodation and are a reasonable distance from both campuses. My advice would be to use Unipol to find housing with reliable landlords. They help students find appropriate private housing and are a good source for accommodation advice.

One thing to be aware of when considering private accommodation is that most landlords will require a UK-based guarantor to sign your contract. If you don’t have access to one, they might expect you to pay all of your rent upfront. It is important to consider if this is a viable option, or if you are better off looking for a property that does not require a UK-based guarantor. If you find a property and want a third opinion on if the tenancy agreement is fair, the Student Union also provides support.

Budgeting

Budgeting is also important to consider. Housing prices can vary greatly and should be factored into the property you decide on. While everyone’s finances are different, my advice is to compare the price per week to other similar properties. This way you can decide if it is reasonable or too expensive.

Final advice

Something to note is that the earlier you find somewhere to live, the sooner you can relieve yourself of that pressure. That being said, there is no need to panic if you are taking your time and you should be cautious of landlords who try to pressure you into committing to a property by saying things like “All of the housing is going quickly.”