Student Accommodation Support London: A Guide for International Students
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Student accommodation support in London helps international students find a safe, affordable place to live before and after they arrive.
CareerHelpp’s Accommodation Guidance helps you choose the right area, compare halls and private rentals, check listings and landlords, and understand deposits and contracts so you avoid scams and costly mistakes.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- London is the UK’s most expensive city for student rent, so area and commute choices matter more than anywhere else.
- UKVI expects students in London to show £1,483 a month for living costs, compared with £1,136 elsewhere in the UK.
- In England, deposits are capped at five weeks’ rent and must be protected in a government scheme.
- Never pay money for a property you have not verified, even if it looks cheap and the landlord seems urgent.
Why International Students Need Accommodation Support in London
International students need accommodation support in London because they often have to secure housing from abroad, without a UK guarantor, credit history or local knowledge. These gaps make it harder to pass landlord checks and easier to fall for scams.
Common problems include paying deposits for properties that do not exist, signing contracts without understanding the terms, choosing a cheap room with a long and expensive commute, and arriving in London with no confirmed address. A confirmed address matters because you need one to open a bank account, register with a GP and receive your documents.
Your Accommodation Options in London
International students in London usually choose between university halls, private purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), shared houses and flats, or a room in a family home. Each has trade-offs.
| Option | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| University halls | First-year and postgraduate students who want a simple, supported start | Limited places; apply as soon as you accept your offer |
| Private student accommodation (PBSA) | Students who want bills included and no guarantor hassle | Higher weekly rent; check contract length and cancellation terms |
| Shared house or flat | Students wanting lower rent and more independence | Guarantor requirements, bills, and checking the landlord is genuine |
| Room in a family home (lodging) | Short stays or students wanting a quieter, supported setting | Fewer legal protections than a standard tenancy |
University halls
Best for: First-year and postgraduate students who want a simple, supported start
Watch out for: Limited places; apply as soon as you accept your offer
Private student accommodation (PBSA)
Best for: Students who want bills included and no guarantor hassle
Watch out for: Higher weekly rent; check contract length and cancellation terms
Shared house or flat
Best for: Students wanting lower rent and more independence
Watch out for: Guarantor requirements, bills, and checking the landlord is genuine
Room in a family home (lodging)
Best for: Short stays or students wanting a quieter, supported setting
Watch out for: Fewer legal protections than a standard tenancy
Key Facts Before You Rent in London
| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| UKVI living cost requirement (London) | £1,483 per month, for up to 9 months | GOV.UK |
| Maximum tenancy deposit (England) | 5 weeks’ rent (annual rent under £50,000) | Tenant Fees Act 2019 |
| Maximum holding deposit | 1 week’s rent | Tenant Fees Act 2019 |
| Deposit protection deadline | Within 30 days in an approved scheme (DPS, mydeposits or TDS) | GOV.UK |
| Right to Rent check | Landlords in England must check your immigration status before you rent | GOV.UK |
| Council tax | Households of only full-time students are exempt | GOV.UK |
| Student travel discount | 30% off Travelcards and Bus & Tram passes with an 18+ Student Oyster photocard | Transport for London |
UKVI living cost requirement (London)
£1,483 per month, for up to 9 months
Source: GOV.UK
Maximum tenancy deposit (England)
5 weeks’ rent (annual rent under £50,000)
Source: Tenant Fees Act 2019
Maximum holding deposit
1 week’s rent
Source: Tenant Fees Act 2019
Deposit protection deadline
Within 30 days in an approved scheme (DPS, mydeposits or TDS)
Source: GOV.UK
Right to Rent check
Landlords in England must check your immigration status before you rent
Source: GOV.UK
Council tax
Households of only full-time students are exempt
Source: GOV.UK
Student travel discount
30% off Travelcards and Bus & Tram passes with an 18+ Student Oyster photocard
Source: Transport for London
Private renting rules in England are also changing under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. Check GOV.UK for how the changes affect your tenancy type before you sign.
How CareerHelpp’s Accommodation Guidance Works
CareerHelpp’s Accommodation Guidance works in three steps: understanding your needs, shortlisting and checking options, and preparing you to sign safely.
- 1
Needs and budget
We collect your requirements: university or preferred location, budget, move-in date and property type. We then help you identify suitable areas and options.
You get: a realistic budget and a shortlist of suitable London areas.
- 2
Shortlist and checks
We search for suitable properties, provide multiple options, help you assess listings, coordinate with landlords or providers and arrange viewings where available.
You get: clear red flags to look for and questions to ask before paying.
- 3
Contract and move-in
We support viewing and booking coordination, explain key tenancy and payment requirements, and help with move-in, until you secure a suitable option.
You get: confidence to sign, pay safely and settle in.
How to Choose the Right Area in London
The right London area balances rent, commute time and safety, not rent alone. A cheaper room in outer London can cost more overall once travel is included.
- Commute: aim for 45 minutes or less door to door to your campus.
- Transport: check Tube, Overground, Elizabeth line and bus links, not just distance.
- Total monthly cost: rent plus bills, travel and food.
- Local amenities: supermarkets, a GP surgery and late-night transport home.
How to Spot a Rental Scam
The clearest sign of a rental scam is a request for money before you have verified the property and the landlord. Be cautious if a landlord:
- Says they are abroad and cannot show you the property.
- Asks for payment by bank transfer to a personal account, cryptocurrency or a money transfer service.
- Offers rent well below similar properties in the same area.
- Pressures you to pay today to “secure” the room.
- Will not give you a written tenancy agreement before payment.
Fees
ACCOMMODATION GUIDANCE
£29
One-time payment, not a monthly subscription
What is included
Property search assistance, multiple accommodation options based on your requirements, assistance identifying suitable and verified properties, property viewing arrangements, landlord and provider coordination, viewing and booking support, move-in assistance, and continued support until you secure suitable accommodation.
Format: online support, with property viewing and accommodation assistance in London where applicable.
What Students Say
“The accommodation guidance was honestly the most helpful part for me. They answered all my questions, helped me understand the rental process, and saved me from making a few expensive mistakes. The team was friendly and quick to respond.”
Arjun Patel, International Student, 2026 · CareerHelpp website testimonial
Frequently Asked Questions
What is student accommodation support in London?
Student accommodation support in London is guidance that helps students find, check and secure somewhere safe to live. For international students, it usually covers choosing an area, comparing halls and private rentals, checking landlords and contracts, and avoiding rental scams before paying any money.
How early should I look for student accommodation in London?
Start looking three to six months before your course begins. Purpose-built student accommodation near popular London universities often fills early for September starts, and arriving without a confirmed address makes opening a bank account and registering with a GP harder.
How much deposit can a London landlord ask for?
In England, a tenancy deposit is capped at five weeks’ rent where annual rent is under £50,000, and a holding deposit at one week’s rent. Your landlord must protect the deposit in a government-approved scheme within 30 days.
Do international students pay council tax in London?
Full-time students are usually exempt from council tax. If everyone in the property is a full-time student, the household does not pay; if you share with non-students, the bill may be reduced. Ask your university for a council tax exemption certificate.
What if I do not have a UK guarantor?
Many London landlords ask for a UK-based guarantor. Without one, options include university-managed halls, purpose-built student accommodation that does not require a guarantor, paid guarantor services, or paying some rent in advance. CareerHelpp can talk you through which option suits your budget.
Can CareerHelpp find and book a property for me?
CareerHelpp provides accommodation guidance, not a letting service. Our support includes property search assistance, multiple accommodation options based on your requirements, property viewing arrangements, landlord and provider coordination, viewing and booking support, and move-in assistance. You always sign the tenancy yourself, directly with the landlord or provider.
Get Accommodation Support in London
A safe, well-located home makes everything else in London easier: study, work and your job search.
If you are moving to London, book an Accommodation Guidance session with CareerHelpp. You can also explore Move to UK support and, once you are settled, talk to a career advisor in London.
Book an Accommodation Guidance sessionABOUT THE AUTHOR
Marzia Raza
Head of the Company and Accommodation Supervisor, CareerHelpp
Marzia Raza is the Head of the Company at CareerHelpp and has been with the company since May 2026. She also works as an Accommodation Supervisor, supporting international students with their accommodation requirements and helping them navigate the accommodation process in the UK.
CareerHelpp has supported more than 3,000 accommodation placements across locations including London, Manchester and Birmingham.
Sources
- GOV.UK, Student visa: money you need (gov.uk/student-visa/money)
- GOV.UK, Tenancy deposit protection (gov.uk/tenancy-deposit-protection); Tenant Fees Act 2019
- GOV.UK, Right to Rent immigration checks; Council tax: students (gov.uk/council-tax/discounts-for-full-time-students)
- GOV.UK, Renters’ Rights Act 2025 guidance
- Transport for London, 18+ Student Oyster photocard (tfl.gov.uk)