Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Finding your new home
If you haven’t already done so, you will need to book your accommodation before you arrive in the UK.
You can choose to live in Leeds Beckett Halls of Residence or you can arrange your accommodation with a private landlord.
On this page you'll find information about your accommodation options and bills you might need to pay when you move into your new home.
Leeds Beckett accommodation
We have university-managed student halls with lots of different types of accommodation available. We will help you find a place to live, but please apply as early as you can for the best chance of getting your first choice.
Your safety
Our Halls of Residence have 24-hour security, emergency phones, CCTV and secure entry systems. Many of our Halls have an onsite office where you can contact your Residential Officer and talk to them about any queries you may have.
Private accommodation
Many international students rent private accommodation through an organisation called Unipol – a housing agency supported by Leeds Beckett University. Unipol can help you find good quality accommodation in Leeds. They offer free impartial advice and only recommend landlords that have a good reputation.
If you are booking private accommodation, it’s important you don’t sign a contract until you have seen the property in person. You must remember that signed contracts are legally binding and you cannot change your mind after signing a contract on a house or a flat. You should also be careful when signing contracts to ensure that you understand what you’re signing – the Students’ Union can assist you with this and check private accommodation contracts for you before you sign.
It is a good idea to come to Leeds early and take some time to view different properties to see what is available in your price range.
When budgeting for accommodation, it is important to be aware of all the charges landlords may ask for:
- Deposit – most landlords require a deposit of one month’s rent. This should be returned at the end of your tenancy providing the property has not been damaged in any way. This is the joint responsibility of all tenants
- Rent – this is normally paid on a termly or monthly basis and contracts are usually offered for 12 months. The first month’s rent is usually paid in advance along with the deposit. Prices vary widely depending on the area
- Insurance – make sure to compare insurance quotes before signing a contract, and consider if you can get insurance that covers you for a variety of different things, you can find more information in the Paying bills section below
Before signing, you can get your tenancy agreement checked by the Students’ Union Advice Service.
Paying bills
This usually refers to water, electricity and heating bills. Most of our Halls of Residence include the cost of these bills in your rent. If you decide to rent privately you may need to budget to pay these separately, so it’s important to check before you sign your contract with a private landlord.
For more information about budgeting for accommodation, visit the Managing your money page.
If you’re planning on having a television or watching programmes on your laptop or another device, you must by law, have a valid TV license.
Find out more information about the UK TV license and charges.
Council Tax is collected by Leeds City Council to pay for services in the community. If you are a student and living in a household of full-time students, you may be exempt from paying Council Tax. If you are planning on living in a household in which not everyone is a full-time student, you may want to check the council tax price before signing the contract, as you may be liable for payments.
We recommend you take out insurance to cover your personal belongings in case these are lost or stolen. There are many different levels of insurance for students, so make sure you do your research and find the best deal for you.
We recommend Endsleigh who offer options from four months and upwards.
Comparison websites are a great tool for finding the best insurance deal. The main ones are:
Leeds Beckett Students’ Union Advice
