Alternative Housing Options

This Microsoft Teams group has been created to assist St George’s students in finding a place to live for the 2024/2025 academic year. With your SGUL email, you can post that you are looking for a room, advertise a room in existing property share, or buddy up with other students to look for a place together.

Request to join by completing this form then once approved you can access then SGUL Flatmate finder group and start posting.

Create an accountand searchon the University of London Housing Serviceswebsite to search for rooms and whole properties advertised by private landlords and estate agents.

Halls near St George’s University,  Short-Term Stays , including host families, independent halls, serviced apartments, hotels and hostels.

Find a Flatmate by joining ULHS Facebook Group (Instructions on how to join can be found on their website.)   

Using the St George’s University postcode (SW17 0RE)

• Rightmove and Zoopla are two of the most used websites used for property searches in the UK. This includes rooms, studios, flats and houses advertised by estate agents and private landlords.

• On Spareroom you will find adverts for rooms in existing property shares, whole flats, and others interested in buddying up with students/ professionals for a property search. You can also create your own advert for free to list a property, a room, or room wanted.
  
  
• OpenRent has rooms and whole property listings by private landlords.

• Does the property have an HMO licence?
• How close are you to public transport, and shopping facilities.
• Will the property be professionally cleaned/ decorated prior to moving in?
• How do you report a maintenance issue?
• What furniture will remain in the property from the landlord or current tentants?
• Can any bills be included in the rent?
• Is there private or local parking/ permits required.
• Does the property have a sufficient alarm system/ locks.
• Are there secure locks and bolts on the windows and doors.
• Will anyone be accessing the property during your stay?
• Mold and damp around the windows, ceilings and walls.
• Ask about the neighbours, and other tenants if renting a room.
• View the local and surrounding area during the day and night – do you feel safe?
• Check reviews of the area online – there may be some community groups you can join.

When you have found a room or property you would like to rent, we would advise that you make an appointment with the University of London Housing Services to check your housing contract.

You can also find their contract checking guide here.

Find out what your landlord needs to do before you move in

Scams!

Please be cautious of potential scams, including anywhere that requests you make a payment without viewing a property, or if you feel pressured to immediately sign a contract and pay a deposit.
Do not make any cash payments and ensure you receive all communications regarding the property in writing.  

Some agents or Landlords will request a UK Guarantor. This is a UK resident in full-time employment who will co-sign your contract, agreeing to be financially liable if you have not made your rent payments. Some companies will also act as your Guarantor for a fee.

If applying to Housing Hand, St Georges students can recieve a discount on this fee.

For a cost of £99, Housing Hand offer an insurance backed guarantee for students in house shares in the rental sector, called Only My Share , which protects students who are in joint and several contracts, should any of their fellow flatmates leave during the tenancy.

When living in Horton Halls your bills will be included in the rent, however if renting privately, you will be responsible for arranging these yourself, or between those sharing the property.

These will include your electric, water, gas, broadband/ internet, and council tax.

Discounts for full-time students

Households where all occupants are full-time students are not required to pay Council Tax. Should you receive a bill, you can apply for an exemption.

You are full-time student if your course is at least:

• 1 year
• 21 study hours per week

If an occupant within your household is not a student, you will receive a council tax bill, although you may still qualify for a discou
n.

• Find your local authority
• Apply for a Council Tax discount
• Request a Council Tax Exemption form from the Student Life Centre.
• Council tax for students - Citizens Advice