Study Abroad
Student accommodation abroad: a checklist before you sign
University halls, private student buildings and shared houses all come with contracts. What to read, what to ask and how to avoid common rental scams.
Admission Mantra Editorial Team. Published . 5 min read.
Where you live shapes your first year abroad as much as your course does. It also involves a contract, a deposit and, often, payment before you have seen the room. A little care before signing avoids most problems.
Your main options
- University accommodation: halls or flats run by the university. Often the simplest choice for the first year, and some universities guarantee a place to new international students who apply by a deadline.
- Private student accommodation: buildings run by companies, usually with en-suite rooms and shared facilities.
- Private rentals: rooms or flats rented from a landlord or agent, often shared with other students.
- Homestay: living with a local family, more common for younger students and short courses.
Before you sign: the contract
- Contract length: does it match your course? Many contracts run for a full year even if your course ends earlier.
- Total cost: weekly or monthly rent multiplied by the full contract length.
- Bills: are electricity, heating, water and internet included?
- Deposit: how much, and how is it protected? In some countries, such as the UK, landlords must place deposits in a government-approved protection scheme.
- Payment schedule: monthly, by term, or in advance for the whole year.
- Early termination: can you leave if your visa is refused or your plans change, and at what cost?
- Guarantor: many landlords ask for one in the country, or for rent in advance if you do not have one.
Ask what happens if your visa is refused. Reputable university and private providers usually have a clear policy for this.
Location and daily life
- Travel time and cost to your campus by public transport.
- Shops, a pharmacy and a GP or clinic nearby.
- Safety of the area, especially if you will travel late after classes or a part-time job.
- Whether the room is furnished and what you need to bring.
Spotting rental scams
- Rent far below similar rooms in the area.
- Pressure to pay a deposit immediately to 'hold' the room.
- Requests to pay by wire transfer, gift cards or to a personal account in another country.
- A landlord who cannot show the property on a live video call or provide a contract before payment.
If something feels wrong, stop and check with your university's accommodation office. Most have staff who can advise on private rentals in their city.
When you arrive
- Inspect the room on the first day and photograph any damage before you unpack.
- Keep a copy of your signed contract and every payment receipt.
- Note the meter readings if you pay bills separately.
- Register your address with your university and, where required, with local authorities.
Planning your budget
Rent is usually the largest part of living costs. Use the university's own cost-of-living estimates and the Mantra Cost Planner to see how your chosen accommodation fits your overall budget, and remember that visa rules may ask you to show a set amount for living costs regardless of what you actually pay.
Official sources
- GOV.UK: Tenancy deposit protection (opens in a new tab)
- Study Australia (Australian Government) (opens in a new tab)
- Residential Tenancies Board (Ireland) (opens in a new tab)
Rules and fees change. Always check the official source before you act.