Many students start looking for second year student accommodation in October or November. Halls and student residences open bookings in autumn. Shared houses in England now follow new rules, so you have more time to choose housemates before you sign. If you already rent, staying where you are may also be an option.
Applying to university for the first time? Our guide on when to apply for student accommodation follows the UCAS cycle instead.
Student residences open bookings in autumn
Purpose-built student accommodation and university halls usually advertise rooms for the next academic year from October or November onwards.
Most of these providers are members of the National Code. This means they’re exempt from most of the Renters’ Rights Act. You’ll still sign a fixed-term contract, usually a common law tenancy or a licence agreement.
In some cities, rooms close to campus fill first. If location matters most to you, compare options early and check the room types each residence offers.
Shared houses in England follow new rules
The Renters’ Rights Act changes how students sign for houses with three or more bedrooms.
Under a rule called Ground 4A, landlords can only rely on getting a house back for the next group of students if the new tenancy is signed no more than six months before move-in. For a tenancy starting on 1 July, that means signing from 1 January.
Signing earlier isn’t illegal. But many landlords will now advertise in autumn and ask you to reserve with a holding deposit instead. You then sign the tenancy later, inside the six-month window.
A holding deposit is capped at one week’s rent. A landlord can only accept one holding deposit for a property at a time. For the full picture, read our guide to the Renters’ Rights Act for students.
These rules apply in England only. Scotland and Wales have their own housing laws.
Staying in your current home is an option
If you rent privately now, your landlord will probably ask about your plans early in the autumn term.
In a house with three or more bedrooms, the landlord will want to know that the whole group is staying, or that you have replacements for anyone leaving. Without a full group, they may use Ground 4A to get the house back.
In a property with one or two bedrooms, Ground 4A doesn’t apply. You can stay as long as you wish without signing a new contract.
If you stay, your landlord can only raise the rent once you’ve lived there for a year, and must follow a formal process to do it.
One and two-bedroom flats appear throughout the year
Landlords of smaller flats only know a property is free once the current tenant gives notice.
As a result, these flats are likely to come up across the whole letting season, not just in autumn. Register your interest with several landlords and agents so they can contact you when something becomes available.
Semester contracts suit a January start or a mid-year move
Some student residences offer contracts for semester 1 only or semester 2 only, as well as full academic-year contracts.
Semester contracts suit students who start in January, exchange and study abroad students, and students leaving for a placement halfway through the year. Not every residence offers them, so ask each provider directly.
Semester dates vary by university, so match the contract dates to your own timetable.
If you’re leaving a shared house after semester 1, take care. Under a periodic tenancy you can give two months’ notice. In a joint tenancy, one person’s notice can end the tenancy for everyone, so talk to your housemates and landlord first.
For more on short stays, read can you rent student accommodation for just a few months?
Taking time to choose housemates pays off
One aim of the new rules is to stop students feeling pushed into signing too early. In the first term, you may have known your future housemates for only a few weeks.
Living with friends from halls works out well for many students. If your plans change, talk to your group and the landlord as early as possible.
What to have ready before you book
- A realistic budget, including bills if they aren’t included in the rent
- A UK guarantor or a rent guarantor service, especially if you’re an international student
- Your ID and student status details
- Time to read the contract in full before you sign or pay anything
Before you pay a deposit, follow our checklist on how to check if student accommodation is legitimate.
A simple timeline for next year’s housing
- Early autumn term: landlords ask current tenants about their plans
- October to November: halls and student residences open bookings; landlords start advertising shared houses
- Autumn: check semester 2 options if you start in January
- From six months before move-in: sign tenancies for shared houses in England
- Throughout the year: one and two-bedroom flats become available
The same timeline applies if you’re looking for third year or final year housing. To compare second year student accommodation side by side, browse a directory such as Hallbookers, which lists student accommodation across the UK by city and university, with reviews from students who have lived there.
Frequently asked questions
When should I start looking for second year accommodation?
From October or November. That’s when most halls and student residences open bookings and landlords start advertising shared houses. In England, tenancies for shared houses are now usually signed within six months of move-in.
Is it illegal to sign for a student house before January?
No. Signing early is legal. But if a landlord signs you more than six months before move-in, they can’t use Ground 4A to get the house back at the end of the year.
Can I stay in my current student house next year?
Often, yes. Tell your landlord early. In houses with three or more bedrooms, the landlord will usually need the whole group to stay or to find replacements.
Can I rent student accommodation for semester 2 only?
Yes, at some residences. Not all providers offer semester contracts, so check with each one before you book.
Can I leave my shared house in January?
Yes, with two months’ notice under a periodic tenancy. In a joint tenancy, your notice can end the tenancy for all housemates, so agree a plan together first.
Do the new rules apply in Scotland and Wales?
No. The Renters’ Rights Act applies to England only. Scotland and Wales have separate housing laws.
The image in this article was generated with AI.
