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Before you start house hunting there are several things you need to consider including who, what and where. Check out our top 5 things to consider when house hunting. 

Whenever you choose to sign a contract make sure you #RentSMART. to review suitability and any potentially unfair terms.

We have more useful information on house hunting but please note while we provide advice and guidance, we do not find accommodation on students’ behalf.

It is strongly advised that º£½ÇÉçÇø campus students start their search for off campus accommodation using which is managed by the Student Accommodation Centre (SAC).  This is the only place to find independently accredited and University approved accommodation in º£½ÇÉçÇø, providing you with peace of mind.

London campus students are advised to start their search via the .

For more information check our webpage on how to find a property, including additional options.

Whether you can end your tenancy early depends on the type of accommodation you have rented and the terms of your agreement.

A security deposit is held until the end of the tenancy to cover any damage or unpaid rent. The maximum security deposit a landlord can charge is 5 weeks rent. All deposits legally must be protected by one of 3 independent deposit protection schemes. Your landlord is required to provide you with the details of which scheme they have used. 

The protection scheme is there to ensure all claims made by the Landlord are justified and to settle any disputes that may arise. 

Some agents now also offer alternative schemes such as ‘’. These are optional and not mandatory.

For more information please see our webpage on deposits.

Your contract will normally state how to pay your rent. However, there is room for negotiation, and you should ask for the method that suits you best before you sign your contract. 

The common methods of payment include standing order or a bank transfer. 

• A standing order is a reliable option, as you control the payment amount and frequency through your bank, and your landlord cannot make changes to it.  
• While direct debits are sometimes used for other services, they are not advisable for rent payments as it allows the landlord/ letting agent to withdraw money from your account, giving them control over the payment amount.  

For more information please see our webpage on living in the property including paying rent.

Some private accommodation providers may ask for a UK based guarantor. A guarantor is someone who agrees to take responsibility for paying your rent if, for any reason, you are unable to do so.

The University has partnered with Housing Hand to support students who require a UK-based guarantor. Students access their service at a reduced rate following a successful application. You can find more information on the Student Accommodation Centre’s webpage.

For more general information on guarantor agreements and professional rent guarantor services, please see our webpage on guarantors.

Whether you are responsible for the bills depends on the terms of your contract. Some rental agreements include bills such as gas, electricity, water, and internet, while others do not. 

Make sure to check your contract carefully to see if utilities are included. If they are, check the cap on the included usage, as you may be charged for any consumption beyond that limit. 

If bills aren’t included, you will need to arrange and pay for them yourself.

You will need to contact the suppliers to register on arrival at the property with the meter readings and again when leaving at the end of the tenancy. 

The Student Advice and Support Service (SASS) has more information on utilities.

Properties occupied by full-time students are exempt from paying council tax. You can download a ‘Council Tax letter’ from the Student Self-service portal for this purpose. You will then need to supply this to  or your landlord.

º£½ÇÉçÇø London students can request a ‘Council Tax letter’ in person from the Student Services Desk at the London campus, or by emailing london-enquiries@lboro.ac.uk 

If any of the tenants in the house are working, check how this could affect the exemption with Charnwood Borough Council. If only one tenant is working, they should be able to claim a single occupier discount, providing that all the other occupants are exempt. 

Please note, if your studies are part-time, you may be liable for council tax. If you live in a property before your course starts or after it finishes, you may be liable for council tax during the period you are not a student.

Yes - you will need to arrange suitable insurance cover for your own personal belongings. 

Your landlord will have insurance cover for the property itself and his/her contents only.

The property should be clean and in good condition when you move in. If you are unhappy with its condition or notice any damage, inform your landlord immediately and note it on the inventory. It is also a good idea to take photographs, which can be useful in case of any disputes over damage or cleanliness when your tenancy ends.

You will need a TV licence if you have a separate contract for your individual room.

If you have a joint tenancy with the other occupiers of the property - only one  is required irrespective of how many televisions there are in the house.

If you have a joint tenancy and your landlord has provided a television in your house, they may have also provided the TV licence. You should check if this is the case, as this licence

For further information about who requires a licence and how to apply please visit  or contact 0300 790 6090.

It may be possible to claim a partial refund for the summer holiday period if you are not renting for that period.

The maximum fine is £1000 for not having a licence.

Any problems should initially be raised directly with your landlord. 

°Õ³ó±ð Student Advice and Support Service offers advice on renting off campus including disrepair, problems with your landlord etc.

Please also contact the Student Accommodation Centre if you experience any problems relating to a property advertised on Studentpad.

There is a â€¯Community Warden team that is set up to support students who live off campus. They offer help and advice about living as part of the wider community. 

You can remain affiliated with a hall of residence while living off campus, allowing you to stay involved in hall-based social activities. For more information visit the .