How to Find and Book Student Accommodation Edinburgh

It's critical to feel secure and comfortable in your home environment. International students can choose from a variety of housing options in Victoria. You can select from managed student housing, residential colleges, private rental housing, and home stays based on your requirements and price range.

Renting a portion or the entire property

This is a popular choice among students, with homes with four to five bedrooms being the most typical size. There are studios and one-bedroom apartments, but they are much more expensive.

Although there are many options, you can anticipate an 11–12 month lease and an average cost of £560 per person per month, before bills.

You will probably need to get together with a group of other students if you want to live because landlords and realtors typically look for student groups rather than individuals.

Please have a look at our recommendations here if you're seeking for family-friendly lodging.

Purpose-built housing for students

The alternative that most closely resembles university-managed housing, but is run by a private business that frequently includes utilities and bills in the rent.

You might reserve private rooms and live with other students, some of whom might not attend the University of Edinburgh.

Before applying, take into account your budget because a number of suppliers only offer studios, which might be pricey.

Renting from a local landlord

The most adaptable choice is to rent a room from a landlord or host family. With no minimum length requirement, contract lengths are more flexible, and rent is frequently more reasonable.

When to begin your search

Many houses are listed around December/January, so it's best to try to have your lodging arranged by late March or early April. After this, you can still find homes and lodging, but you'll probably have to accept a wider range of accommodations.

It is crucial that you are well-informed and choose wisely because accommodation contracts are legally enforceable.

How to locate private lodging

To find the perfect private Student Accommodation Edinburgh, it is better to check the top student accommodation providers’ websites. It would be smart to launch your search online regardless of which option you believe would be most suitable. These housing providers offer a range of lodging options, and we make sure that every property featured has the necessary safety and licencing credentials.

You can also find private sector accommodation by searching on:

Studentpad
Rightmove Student
On The Market Student
Zoopla
Accommodation for Students
My Student Halls
SpareRoom

Before paying any fees or signing a contract, be sure the individual you are working with is legitimate wherever you look.

Agencies

Local organisations in the region with a focus on student housing abound. They will likely have local landlords on their client list, and they could be able to offer you a few possibilities.

Always verify that the agency is enrolled in both a Client Money Protection Plan and a Redress Scheme.

What to take into account when looking for private housing

With whom to dwell

You might decide to share a home with classmates, members of a club or society, current roommates, or acquaintances you make during a housemate-finding event.

Do not rush into choosing a roommate because you will be entering into a binding contract with them. A good housemate is trustworthy, lives a similar lifestyle to yours, and doesn't mind doing some dishes.

Welcome activities at Student Housing are a terrific chance to meet other students and get acquainted with your new residence.

Events hosted by the Students' Union - During the year, the SU and its groups host events including music festivals, food fairs, and cultural excursions.

Use the websites’ message board to identify available rooms and flatmates, or to inform students of any spare rooms in your student residence.

Viewings

You must view the property before you sign a contract or pay any fees. To schedule a viewing, speak with the landlord or rental company directly. This could occur in person or online.

Many times, viewings happen months before you move in. It's crucial that you know what to look for because it's probably the last time you'll get to see the house before you move in.

Before you move into private accommodation, you need to pay:

Upfront expenses
Prior to relocating into private housing, you must pay:
Up to one week's rent as a holding fee
Rent as a deposit, up to five weeks