Where to Look
- Where to look
- Area
- Noticeboards
- Adverts
- Targeting your Adverts
- Accommodation Lists
- Advert Abbreviations
| Where? |
There are a number of sources available but the internet is now the best tool for local & international students searching for housing. Websites including StudentPRS, AFS (Accommodation for Students), Loot rentals, Easyroommate, Studentbunk, Studentguru, Homesforstudents, Kangaroom etc. However, users of the studentPRS site must be aware that we rely on householders, accommodation agencies and other students to inform us if accommodation is no longer available. It must be noted that this is not always the case. In the event of this happening, the Accommodation Bureau cannot be held wholly responsible for inaccurate information being advertised on studentPRS.
| Area |
The North campus is situated in the borough of Islington (Zone 2) and is served by good transport networks (bus, tube and rail). More affordable accommodation is to be found in postcodes N4, N7 and N19. Alternatively, cheaper rents can be found in the following North London boroughs: Haringey (N8, N15, N16, N22), Hackney (E8, E9) and Walthamstow (E17).
The City campus is situated in the borough of Tower Hamlets (Zone 1) and also has good transport networks (bus, tube, DLR — Docklands Light Railway and British Rail). Zone 1 is expensive but some more affordable accommdation can be found in the surrounding areas such as Stepney Green (E1), Bethnal Green (E2), Clapton (E5), East Ham (E6), Forest Gate (E7), Leyton (E10), Plaistow (E13) and Stratford (E15).
The 'Rough Guide to London' (published by Rough Guides Ltd and priced at £12.99) is highly recommended for giving an introduction to the character, history and culture of London's boroughs. Full time students are entitled to reduced travel fares on buses and tubes but would need to contact the Student Union office at the university for more information. Part time students may be eligible for reduced travel fares too. More travel information can be obtained from the Transport for London (TFL) website by clicking here.
| Adverts |
Always maximise your chances of contacting other students.
Through londonmetstudentprs.org, you can access the student to student noticeboard and advertise yourself as a potential flatmate or the property you are renting. This noticeboard is only visable to other London Metropolitan University students and also allows you to browse and reply to posted items.
We have a Facebook page where you can connect with other students, post messages etc. When posting you should try to include information like your age, interests, course, the maximum rent you can afford and the areas you are looking to live in. Always include a telephone contact number or email.
Warning: Always be careful when meeting anyone who responds to your adverts. It might be an idea to ask them on the telephone what their UCAS ID number is to verify that they are a student. When you arrange to meet, make sure it is in a public place and, if possible, take a friend with you.
- LondonmetstudentPRS at http://www.londonmetstudentprs.org/
Local shops, supermarket noticeboards and newsagent windows at these places you can also place a request card for a minimal charge.
- Local newspapers
- Evening Standard (available every weekday after 3pm)
- Loot (new edition printed each day except Sunday)
- The Islington Gazette (Thursdays)
Try to obtain these papers as soon as early as possible for the best chance in securing their accommodation.
- For flat-sharing with other tenants:
- StudentPRS Noticeboard
- Gumtree Flatshare section www.gumtree.com
You can sometimes find accommodation adverts on the walls of student bars in or near the University:
- Estate agents, letting agents etc. By law agency lists must be provided to you for free.
Other student accommodation websites:
- http://uk.easyroommate.com/
- www.spareroom.co.uk/
- www.accommodationforstudents.com/
- www.homesforstudents.co.uk/
- www.studentpad.co.uk/
- www.studentguru.co.uk/
- www.students-lodging.com/
- http://www.flatmaterooms.co.uk/
If you live outside London and are seeking accommodation during the weekdays only, please see:
www.mondaytofriday.com/
| Small Ads Abbreviations |
Accommodation information are often printed in abbreviations, please see a list of abbs below:
Please note that this is not a complete list of terms used but the ones listed are commonly used:
| all mod cons | this is terminology which generally refers to the modern facilities in the property ch central heating (or gch which is gas central heating) |
| dep | deposit (a lump sum given given to the householder before you move into the property (it is refunded to you when you leave the property) |
| d/w | dishwasher |
| diner | dining room |
| excl. | exclusive (eg. Rent is exclusive of bills) |
| fem pref | female preferred |
| ff | fully furnished |
| incl. | inclusive |
| gdn | garden |
| hh | householder (also known as 'landlord') |
| hmo | house in multiple occupation (this is a house shared by people who do not form a single household. Strict rules apply to this type of arrangement |
| lld | landlord (also known as 'householder') |
| male pref | male preferred |
| n/s | non-smoking (or non-smoker) |
| pcm | per calendar month (this is the preferred way for rent to be charged because it means you pay the rent on the same date each month. Monthly rents which are not per calendar month work out to be more expensive on a weekly basis. To find out your weekly rent from a p.c.m figure multiply it by 12 and then divide by 52. |
| pp | per person |
| pw | per week |
| wc | toilet |
| w/m | washing machine |
| zone 1,2,3,4,5 | refers to the pricing system of the Tube, and a commonly used indicator of how central a location is. Zone 1 is central London and therefore a more expensive place to live (for more information view: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/) |
So an advert that reads:
1 lge rm, sh l'ld, w/m,gch,gdn,n/s,fem pref means
'one large room in a house sharing with the householder, use of washing machine, gas central heating, access to garden, non-smoking female preferred.'
Remember that most abbreviations can be guessed, but if not, ask what they mean when you contact the householder.
| Other Sources of Housing Information |
You can come to the Accommodation Bureau for advice. There are also sources of help for finding somewhere to live and for complaints about accommodation. Useful addresses and telephone numbers for North and City areas are listed below.
| London North Area | London City Area |
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For students with dependants more sources of information include:
- Gingerbread www.gingerbread.org.uk
Tel. 0800 018 4318 (Mon-Fri from 10am-5pm) - Parentline Plus www.parentlineplus.org.uk
Tel. 0808 800 2222
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| Private Rented Accommodation |
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| Cost and Types of Accommodation |
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| Where to Look |
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| When to Look |
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| Deposits |
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| Moving In |
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| Essentials - Checklist |
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| Travel and Transport |
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| Legal |
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