You have your own personal private flat to yourself- a new sense of freedom
You can look for a property that suits your needs and requirements exactly
Private accommodation can sometimes work out cheaper than student accommodation
You may be able to negotiate the length of contract with your landlord
Properties are usually of a higher standard and quality than student accommodation
It can often take up to a month to find suitable private property
It will be your responsibility to pay your monthly bills. If living with friends, make sure everyone is aware of their share- if someone doesn’t pay their way, the gas/ electric company will look to whoever else is in the property to pay the bills
Students looking to live with their friends in a 3/4/5/6 bedroom property will find it tough- few landlords have such large properties, therefore competition from other students is intense. You may have to consider splitting your group up.
It is harder to secure private accommodation months in advance, especially if you are looking for September entry. The majority of landlords will not advertise any earlier than March/ April. The best time to look for private accommodation is 6-10 weeks prior to entry.
It can be difficult searching for a flat/ room if you are not in the city (i.e. over summer vacation), as the majority of landlords will not let you take out a property without you viewing it first.
Regardless of what type of accommodation you go into, be aware that your lease will not cover insurance of your belongings, nor have a TV licence if you have a TV in the property. You will have to get both of these yourself
