Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), sometimes called private halls, offers a wide variety of accommodation, including en-suite rooms and studios. There are often on-site facilities such as gyms, cinema rooms, and great social spaces, as well as cycle storage and laundry facilities.

Purpose-built student accommodation is often described as' hotel-style' and may be more expensive than other private housing options.

You can view a list of PBSA providers on our private halls page

who have signed up to a National Accreditation Code.

University-owned halls/ residences

For information on university-owned halls and availability, please visit your university halls of residence pages

• Southampton Solent University
• The University of Southampton

When it comes it houses, flats or studios there is a wide variety on offer,especially when it comes to location! For the most part you will likely have to share a bathroom and kitchen.

Most properties are shared by ready made friendship groups, but don’t worry if you’re looking on your own, as there are plenty of landlords who advertise individual rooms in houses.

It can be hard to know when to look for a house and who to sign up with! There is so much pressure to find somewhere and we understand you might be worried about missing out. But don’t be pressured into signing a contract.

It may be tempting to look for properties as soon as you arrive but take your time! Properties will still be available after Christmas. There is plenty of choice and you shouldn’t accept anything you have not viewed or are not comfortable with.

Get to know your new friends before deciding you want to live with them! A tenancy agreement is legally binding so be sure about the people with whom you sign a contract.

Decide with your friends what is important to you about a property. What is a firm no, and what are you willing to compromise on? Some potential things to think about:

• Where do you want the property located? Do you want to be close to the nightlife in the city centre, or is being close to campus to make early morning lectures more important?

• Do you need an outdoor space? Remember you may be liable for the upkeep of any garden area

• How will you decide who gets what room? Is someone in your group willing to take a smaller or less ideal room for a smaller portion of the rent?

• What is your budget? Are you going to be able to afford the rent as well as other essentials like food, travel and a social life?

Don’t settle on the first property you see, visit a few properties so you can compare.

Try and ensure all of you visit any potential properties. What one person thinks looks good you may want to run away from!

To rent a shared home you may be asked to sign a joint contract. A joint contract means that all tenants are equally responsible for the rent for the whole property.  if someone leaves early, the other tenants may have to cover their rent.

Many tenancies will require a lead tenant who acts as the main contact for the landlord. Have you discussed who this will be?

The landlord may request rent as a single monthly payment from one bank account, discuss with your friends how this will be approached.

Holding deposit

Your landlord may request a holding deposit to reserve the property before you sign a tenancy agreement. They can only take one holding fee at a time and shouldn’t show the property to anyone else. Make sure you get a receipt showing what you have paid and avoid paying with cash.

The landlord can only ask for a maximum of one weeks rent. You can work it out like this: Monthly rent x 12 ÷ 52 = maximum holding deposit.

The landlord may only keep the holding deposit if you change your mind about the property, give false information or fail the right to rent check. You should get it back in all other situations.

Right to rent checks

The landlord legally must complete a right to rent check, so will ask you for ID, for example a passport. If you are not a UK citizen, then you will need to provide extra information. Complete a Right to Rent Check here.

Tenancy deposit

The tenancy deposit can be no more than 5 weeks’ rent. You can work it out like this: Multiply the monthly rent by 12 to determine the annual rent.  Divide the annual rent by 52 to get the weekly rent. Multiply the weekly rent by 5 to determine the maximum tenancy deposit amount.

The tenancy deposit must be protected in one of three schemes and the landlord or agent must give you written information telling you where the deposit is protected. Deposit protections schemes include, Deposit Protection Service (DPS), My Deposits, and Tenancy Deposit Scheme TDS (you can get more details here)  

Contract documents

Once you have a tenancy agreement, the landlord must provide the following documents with your tenancy or have them displayed in the property. Any certificates must be in date.

• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
• Gas Safety Certificate, if there is gas in the property
• UK Government’s How to Rent booklet

When you rent through SASSH we will have confirmed the landlord has the correct certification in place, however they must also provide you with a copy of the above.

For more information on sharing a house and your tenancy take a look at the Citizens Advice website