By Puranjay Dixit (Student of MSc Sport Marketing)

As someone who had never left his city, let alone his country, for more than a holiday, accommodation was one of the biggest concerns I had when moving to London. I arrived in January 2026, having booked my flat at the last possible moment. Looking back, it all worked out, but there were definitely things I learned along the way. Let me share my experience of finding accommodation and living in London so far, including what worked for me, what did not, and what I wish I had known before arriving.

What My Student Accommodation Is Like

I currently live in a student accommodation with four flatmates, sharing a kitchen. On paper, it is one flat, but in reality, it is practically five individual ensuite rooms connected to a shared kitchen. The rooms are not particularly huge, but they are more than sufficient for living as a student for one year. You get a single bed, a pretty large desk, a wardrobe, and an adequately sized bathroom. Considering that bills are included in the amount, amenities like study room, 24×7 security, quick repairs, and the fact that it is in central London, I think it is good value for money.

The building is in a prime location. It is within walking distance of tourist hotspots like King’s Cross and Oxford Street, bustling areas like Islington and Old Street, and landmarks like the British Library and the Emirates stadium.

Student Accommodation vs Private Renting

Unless you have close family or friends living in London, your best tool to find places to stay is on the internet. There are many student housing providers, plus real estate websites if you wish to rent privately.

Having looked at both options, I would personally recommend student accommodation for most students. The paperwork is much simpler and day-to-day living is much more convenient. As a student who has a lot on their plate like coursework and submissions, I find it reassuring to not have to worry about bills and maintenance. The trade-off is usually smaller rooms and shared kitchens, something I do not mind compromising with for a year.

How I Found My Accommodation

Most student accommodation providers have their own websites where you can browse properties, book viewings, and even finalise and make payments after choosing a room as per your choice. I found the property I live in after searching through various websites and listings, then dropping an email to the accommodation team to discuss availability.

Top Tips for Finding Accommodation in London

Here are some tips that helped me during my accommodation search:

• Have multiple options. Look everywhere, do not rush to finalise the first or second option you see, even if you are short on time. There are plenty of student housing providers and private landlords in London, there will likely be a better deal out there.

• Do your own research.  Once people know you are looking for accommodation, you will inevitably receive a lot of advice and recommendations. Agencies and housing providers will contact you, friends and family will often have suggestions of their own, and so on. While it is worth listening to different perspectives, I would recommend doing your own research and making your own judgement. Rent prices, amenities, locations, and reviews are all readily available online. Go through it and build your own understanding to find houses, rather than completely relying on what others said.

• Do not shy away from direct approaches. If looking at privately owned houses on property websites, do not be afraid to directly message/email the listed owner. This is also useful if you are starting in January, like I was, because student accommodations usually offer only year-long contracts from September to September. In such cases, the only way you as a January starter can get in is if you take over an existing tenant’s contract.

That is exactly what happened in my case. I emailed the student accommodation I now live in and asked whether they had any vacancies or tenants planning to leave early. They replied within two days, and another two days later I had signed my contract and secured my room.

• Always get a viewing. Do not agree to any contract without having a viewing first. The ideal scenario is to have a friend or relative living in London to go over and view in person, with you on video call. However, if that is not possible, get a virtual viewing. Either way, never book a property based only off photos and videos. .

• Use all available resources. The university offers a service of reviewing your rental agreements before you sign them. Given how common scams are, having someone check the contract is a valuable safeguard and can give you extra peace of mind.

• Do not restrict your options based on area. London has an incredible transport network. Tubes and buses, and even hire bikes, are abundant. You do not have to restrict your options only to the immediate areas around where your university is.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

I was fortunate to have my girlfriend living in London for five months before I came here. We had already gone through a similar search process for her housing, and her being there greatly helped me before I moved in as well. I also know many students who reached out to friends, relatives, or other contacts in London to attend viewings or communicate directly with landlords on their behalf. If you have someone who can help in that way, make use of it.

Consider Your Commute

In addition to the rent and the authenticity of the place, transport links are just as important as well. As I mentioned before, I do not recommend restricting your search only to areas in immediate proximity of your campus. However, that also does not mean I recommend finding a place that leaves you with a two-hour commute to the campus. Try to find a balance between affordability, location, and convenience.

For example, Loughborough London is in Stratford (East London), but I live in Central. I am well connected by bus (40 minutes to reach) and tube (20 minutes to reach). So, it is not the end of the world if you do not find a place near the University, or if you find that one perfect place that happens to be in south London.

Living with Flatmates

Another thing to keep in mind, especially if you choose a shared accommodation, is that you can never be certain what flatmates/roommates you may get when you move in. You will have to keep an open mind and have patience. Don’t worry! Its not always bad (I managed to end up with pretty good flatmates).

Why It Pays to Start Your Search Early

One advantage of student accommodation is how quickly everything moves. These providers deal with room turnovers regularly, so their processes are usually streamlined. In my case, there were only four days between my first email and signing the final agreement, and I completed everything just two days before flying to London.

That said, I would strongly recommend starting your search as early as possible. Leaving everything until the last minute is stressful and can lead to rushed decisions or higher costs. It is never too early to start. Browsing through options and reaching out to landlords is something you should start as soon as you can. It gives you more time to compare options and negotiate better deals. In fact, you actually have more options if you start early because the London rental market moves fast. Rooms and houses are often rented out quickly, so the later you start, the more options you lose out on.

The Biggest Lesson I Learned About London’s Rental Market

If there is one thing I wish I had known before moving to London, it is just how fast the housing market moves. Because I live in a student accommodation, I will need to move out when my lease ends. You cannot continue in a student housing after your programme is complete. What I did not realise when I first arrived was that finding your next place often needs to start months in advance, filtering by rent, location, and other agreeable terms. Time flies fast and before you know it, you are in a position where you need to find a new place, and you need to do it quick.

Final Thoughts

Overall, staying and studying in London is sure to be an exciting and memorable time. Having a good place to go back to at the end of the day is vital, because it dictates how you look back upon your time in the city. Finding accommodation can feel overwhelming at first, but if you start early, do your research, and stay sensible throughout the process, you will put yourself in a great position to enjoy your time in the city.

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If you require additional support, our Student Services team can provide guidance on tenancy agreements, renters’ rights, and budgeting for accommodation costs. Visit our accommodation support page to learn more about the support available.