See the the things we recommend you do before starting your search for housing in the private sector.
Do your research
Renting in the UK can be a lengthy process that requires planning to have the correct budget and paperwork in place. The earlier you start to save and plan, the smoother you will find your accommodation search.
Before embarking on your search for accommodation, it is very important to do some research to understand what the process involves. You can get an understanding of the entire renting journey, by looking at our information for house hunting in the private sector.
You can then make a note of any questions you might have. Our Housing Team can help if you have any questions while researching how to rent. You can contact the team by email at: housing@sussex.ac.uk.
Identify accommodation that fits your budget
This could be a house share with other students, homestay or lodgings, purpose-built student accommodation or renting your own flat.
Each option varies in price significantly, so make sure you understand the average costs of each. Some websites offer further filters for preferences such as location, price and number of bedrooms.
Find out the costs involved in securing a property
Renting in the UK can be expensive. No matter which type of accommodation you choose, there will be fees that will need to be paid in advance. It is a good idea to give yourself time to save the funds needed to secure your private sector accommodation before you arrive at Sussex.
Depending on your circumstances and the type of property you rent, you should budget in advance for:
- temporary accommodation – if you are coming to Sussex without securing accommodation in advance, you should budget for the cost of at least six weeks of temporary hotel or hostel accommodation to give you time to complete your search (some hotels and hostels in Brighton and Hove have preferential rates for Sussex students)
- holding deposit – one week’s rent for the property you are reserving
- security deposit – five weeks’ rent for the property you are reserving
- first month of rent in advance for the room or property you are renting
- guarantor company fee – if you use a private guarantor company to act as your UK-based guarantor, you will need to pay a fee. This is usually a percentage of the annual rent for the property (it is important you research rates of the company you intend to use and budget for this in advance)
- six to 12 months’ rent in advance – if the room or property you are renting requires a UK-based guarantor and you are not able to provide one, you may be required to pay six or 12 months of the rent for the property in advance of moving in.
Examples
See examples of housing costs below.
All scenarios are based on a Brighton & Hove housing market report looking at average rents across the period July-September 2022. Current market rates may differ. These scenarios are for a single student with no dependents. See our budgeting advice for students with dependents.
Example one
Situation: A student is planning on renting a single room in a three-bed house. They have a parent acting as their UK based guarantor. They have found a property in advance that will be available for the start of term so do not need temporary accommodation.
| Fees | Cost |
|---|---|
| Holding deposit | £168 |
| Security deposit | £840 |
| First month rent in advance | £728 |
| Total advance cost | £1,736 |
Example two
Situation: A student is planning on renting a single room in a three-bed house. They do not have a UK-based guarantor and the property they are renting does not accept private guarantor companies. The landlord has asked for six months of rent in advance in place of a guarantor. The student has arrived at Sussex before starting their accommodation search.
| Fees | Cost |
|---|---|
| Six weeks of temporary hotel accommodation (£70 per night) | £2,940 |
| Holding deposit | £168 |
| Security deposit | £840 |
| Six months’ rent in advance (in lieu of a guarantor) | £4,368 |
| Total advance cost | £8,316 |
Example three
Situation: A student is planning on renting a single room in a three-bed house. They do not have a UK-based guarantor, but are using a private guarantor company that charge 8% of the annual rent. They have found a property in advance that will be available for the start of term, so do not need temporary accommodation.
| Fees | Cost |
|---|---|
| Holding deposit | £168 |
| Security deposit | £840 |
| First months’ rent in advance | £728 |
| Guarantor company fee (8%) | £612 |
| Total advance cost | £2,348 |
Consider your living costs
It is important when searching for a property to carefully consider how much your monthly costs will be when living in the property. This will help to determine the level of rent you can afford.
See our cost of living advice so you can plan your outgoings and understand how much you need to budget.
To help you to gain money skills for life, the University has partnered with Blackbullion, an easy to use online learning platform that helps students grow their money skills and knowledge.
Get your paperwork ready
You will receive tenancy and guarantor paperwork that you need to read, review, sign and return to your landlord or letting agent before you can rent the property. It is important that you take the time to review and understand everything before signing.
You are likely to also be asked to provide paperwork to the landlord or letting agent. Having your paperwork ready in advance can prevent lengthy delays in your renting process.
You may need:
- proof of your right to rent – all tenants must prove they have the right to rent in the UK before they are able to rent a property. Shelter, the UK housing charity, have clear guidance on their website around what you will be expected to provide, depending on your circumstances
- previous landlord or character reference – you may be asked by your new landlord or letting agent to provide a reference from a previous landlord, or a character reference someone who can show that you will be a good tenant.
If you have previously lived in University-managed accommodation, you can request a reference from us. If your reference is from another country and written in another language, it is recommended that you have the document translated before providing it to the landlord or letting agent to prevent delays.