Alternative Accommodation for Students

A guide to private accommodation in London for UCL students

This page was updated on 25 October 2024

*All UCL students are now eligible to apply for accommodation through the UCL Accommodation Portal.
For any questions about accommodation for 2024-25, please contact us via askUCL or email accommodation@ucl.ac.uk.

UCL Accommodation is striving to help UCL students find high quality accommodation at affordable prices. The Alternative Accommodation webpage is in place to support UCL students that are not eligible for or choose not to live in UCL Accommodation. The eligibility criteria is outlined in full on the Applying for UCL Accommodation webpage.

Looking for private accommodation can be daunting. We have pulled together resources to help you with your search:

Check out our article, how to avoid housing scams in your search for student accommodation, to learn more about the support available to UCL students.
Access Housing Advice for UCL Student on the UCL Accommodation YouTube channel. Current UCL students George and Erik tell us about their experiences privately renting in London. This podcast covers the full journey of renting, from thinking about who you might live with all the way through to moving out and tips on getting your deposit back!
Review a recording of our 2023 Housing Advice webinar, which gives advice on finding private housing. The webinar includes representatives from the University of London, Housing Services, UCL Accommodation, and the Students' Union UCL Advice Service, answering questions about private renting, budgeting, and alternative accommodation options. Current UCL students offer their perspectives and talk about their own experiences. Watch the Housing Advice webinar on YouTube.
If you are under 18 years old or have additional needs that impact your requirements for accommodation while studying at UCL, you may be entitled to stay in UCL accommodation throughout your studies. Learn more about the accommodation offer for students with additional requirements.

Students' Union UCL

The Students' Union UCL has put together a guide to accommodation for 24/25 academic year. Students can use the Flatmate finder to find UCL students to live with in private rental accommodation, or spare rooms listed by other UCL students. This helpful tool is run by Students' Union UCL.

There is a comprehensive student blog with advice on where to live in London if you will not be living UCL Accommodation.

How do private rentals work?

You can book private accommodation in a variety of ways. The most important thing is to figure out your budget and start looking as early as possible. This will help you understand what is available in your price range.

To help students that are privately renting, UCL has a rent Guarantor Scheme. The purpose of this scheme is to assist eligible full-time UCL students to rent private accommodation that might not otherwise be available, by UCL acting as a guarantor where the student is unable to secure any other UK-based rent guarantor. The Scheme is open to overseas and EU students and in exceptional circumstances to UK students where no alternative UK guarantors are available. Learn more, including how to apply for the Rent Guarantor Scheme at UCL.

University of London Housing Services

The University of London (UofL) Housing Services offers a range of assistance and support for students who are looking for and living in private accommodation in London.

Property Platform

UofL Housing Services offers a property platform through which students can find and secure accommodation from reputable providers. UofL does not place students in accommodation - you must find and search for suitable options.

Students must have a valid student ID / offer letter (ideally showing their graduation date) to register. You are encouraged to register for this service using your university email address for quicker approval to access the site.

Short stay accommodation

Additionally, UofL Housing Services offers dedicated information about short stay accommodation, which can include anything from a few nights to a couple of months. You may find you need to arrange this type of accommodation while you are looking for long term accommodation, when you first arrive in London or at the end of your studies.

University of London only offers short stay accommodation during the summer every year. Room bookings are open from the end of June until August.

You are encouraged to register for this service using your university email address for quicker approval to access the site.

Flatmate Finder Facebook group

UCL students can access the UofL Flatmate Finder group on Facebook. Here, students can connect with other students looking for houseshares, share knowledge and advertise rooms in the shared house they live in.

All join requests and posts must be approved by UofL before going live. Students must have signed up to the property platform to be approved on the group.

Advice Service

Students can access the UofL Housing Services advice service for issues they are experiencing in private rented accommodation. Issues include (but are not limited to):

Contract advice
Disrepair
Deposit disputes
Landlord harassment
Infestations
Evictions

Short Stay Accommodation

The University of London (UofL) Housing Website has dedicated information regarding short stay accommodation. Short stay accommodation can include anything from a few nights to a couple of months. You may find you need to arrange this type of accommodation while you are looking for long term accommodation, when you first arrive in London or at the end of your studies.

Family and couples accommodation

The majority of student accommodation is designed for single students, which means that you will want to begin your search for this type of housing as early as possible.

International Hall has a small number of flats available for students with children. Information on the application process and deadline for students with children at International Hall can be found on the University of London website. The application process differs slightly for students with families and you will need to submit an application form. Please email the University of London for further information.

There are some private halls and housing associations who can assist with couples and those with children. Places are limited, so we would advise you to get in touch with them as soon as possible:

•    Goodenough College
•    International Students House
•   Nansen Village
•   Zebra Housing Association

Resources available to UCL Students

At risk of homelessness

If you are an enrolled student and you are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless (having no access to, or ability to fund, long or short term accommodation), you may find some useful information on Students’ Union UCL’s Finding Emergency Accommodation webpage.

The Students’ Union’s Advice Service cannot find or provide accommodation for students, but can discuss your situation and help explore your housing options. They can also signpost you to further accommodation opportunities and relevant sources of financial support (if needed). If you need support or would like to discuss your housing needs, please contact Students’ Union UCL via their Advice Service contact form.

UCL Rent Guarantor Scheme

The purpose of this scheme is to assist eligible full-time UCL students to rent private accommodation that might not otherwise be available, by UCL acting as a guarantor where the student is unable to secure any other UK-based rent guarantor.

The Scheme is open to overseas and EU students and in exceptional circumstances to UK students where no alternative UK guarantors are available.

Learn more, including how to apply for the Rent Guarantor Scheme at UCL.

Flatmate Finder

Students can use the Flatmate finder to find UCL students to live with in private rental accommodation, or spare rooms listed by other UCL students. This helpful tool is run by Students' Union UCL.

UCL students can access the University of London Flatmate Finder group on Facebook. Here, students can connect with other students looking for houseshares, share knowledge and advertise rooms in the shared houses they live in.

The University of London has a Private Housing Guide, that is available for all UCL students. They can also assist with contract checking and legal advice.

Crime Prevention and Personal Safety Team (UCL)

UCL's Crime Prevention and Personal Safety Team places your security at the forefront and is on hand to give advice and information to keep you safe in London.

You can contact the Crime Prevention and Personal Safety Team with any safety concern by emailing or contact them anonymously and confidentially, withholding personal details, via Report+Support.

Citizens Advice and Shelter (charities)

Citizens advice is a charity that offers confidential advice online, over the phone, and in person, for free.

Shelter is a housing and homelessness charity that offers housing advice and support online and over the phone, for free.

University of London Housing Services

University of London Housing Services offers a range of services to assist and support students looking for and living in private accommodation in London.

Students with Additional Requirements

UCL Accommodation work to ensure students with additional requirements are allocated rooms that meet their needs.