Private sector accommodation

Please note that the University of Exeter gives notice for itself and for those on whose behalf it may act that:

  1. the related property details are believed to be correct but their accuracy is not guaranteed and they do not form part of any contract;
  2. students must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise of the accuracy of these details.

Private accommodation held within Studentpad is NOT inspected by the Accommodation Office.

Studentpad

The online student accommodation service includes a private accommodation list.  This can be accessed via the dedicated Studentpad [external link] site. Please also see our after your first year section for related information.

Information on studentpad includes:

  • A list of shared houses and flats
  • A PGCE list (short term accommodation - let to Postgraduate Certificate of Education students)
  • A lodgings list (short term accommodation)
  • A list of family/staff accommodation

Council tax

Do I need to pay this?  While the majority of students are exempt from paying council tax, there are a few exeptions. For more detailed information, Registry provide a comprehensive guide and will be happy to offer advice and assistance if required.

Bed and breakfast

A local Bed & Breakfast List is produced by the Accommodation Office. Please note that prices listed are approximate. 

Student's Guild

The Students’ Guild Advice Unit [external link] can provide helpful advice on contracts and other private sector accommodation matters.

General advice

Students should themselves check that the flat/house/bedsits are adequately furnished for their needs. Make sure the property is clean and in good condition both inside and out:

  • Check for dampness.
  • Check that the electrical and gas appliances work.
  • By law landlords have to have gas certificates for all gas appliances so please ask to see one.
  • Property of three or more storeys, with five or more students should have a license by the local Council.  Ask the landlord of such properties if they have registered.
  • Find out who else has keys to the property.

Whether you are asked to sign a licence or tenancy agreement or whether you have an oral contract, please make sure you understand the implications and take legal advice if necessary. The Students’ Guild Advice Unit can help. Keep copies of everything you sign.

Get a receipt for any deposit you pay. Make sure it is to be held in a Tenancy Deposit Scheme and confirm which scheme your deposit will be part of before signing the contract.

Check whether rent is payable for the vacation as well for term time, and agree the rent with the landlord in writing when booking the accommodation.

If you are not happy do not take the accommodation and do not sign anything you are not confident about.

Please be careful when responding to adverts for private accommodation as there have been a number of reports of people being scammed out of money after seeing adverts on websites. Do not, under any circumstances, send money to anyone for accommodation prior to viewing the accommodation, verifying that the person is the actual landlord or a representative of the landlord (such as a letting agent) and seeing the tenancy agreement. These scams usually involve you being asked to send money via one of the payment services such as Western Union, Bidpay or Money Gram and to then fax or send a scanned copy of the receipt of the money being paid via this service along with the reference number to secure the accommodation. If you have been caught out by such a situation please keep any correspondence (emails/texts etc) and report it to the UK police as soon as you can.

If you make an appointment to see a property but are unable to keep it or decide not to go, please telephone the landlord to let him/ her know. Please make sure the landlords are not holding properties for you which you do not want as this may prevent others from being able to finalise arrangements.

As some landlords particularly specify that they only want University tenants it is important that details of properties are not passed on to non-University people.

Students are also strongly advised to insure their personal possessions.

Do not visit a property alone. If you have to go on your own make sure someone knows where you are going and the time you should be back.

If you are in doubt about anything to do with renting private accommodation, check with the Accommodation Office, the Guild Welfare Advisor [external link] or the Exeter Citizens Advice Bureau [external link].