I need help finding a house or housemates
We advise that you don’t rush when looking for a private property in the local area. You will want to get the best deal for you and your housemates so try to take some time to compare options. Some landlords will take the best opportunity to try and get their tenants to sign early, but that might not get you the best deal.
Don’t panic if you do not have a property sorted by Christmas, there will be plenty of opportunities to find a property between Freshers Week and the end of Semester 1.
You can view this helpful guide on How to Rent to reference or the University’s handy flowchart of what to expect but we have summarised some main points to check below:
Things to look out for:
- Online ads are not properly regulated and can have fraudulent users and scams.
- Avoid going to a viewing alone. If you don’t have a good feeling, don’t go and get advice instead.
- When your group attends a viewing, let someone know where you’ll be.
- Never pay for anything in cash or under pressure.
Don’t sign or pay anything before you have read through your contract properly. If you need any further advice then please contact us with the details.
Looking for a room
You might find that University accommodation services have spare rooms on campus or in Halls of Residence. You can email accommodation@surrey.ac.uk
If you don’t fancy living on campus, but you still need a room, then you can also look for available rooms on EasyRoommate or Spare Room.
These websites give you the ability to communicate with other students that may have a room available. You can post a message with your requirements so others can contact you.
You may also want to look at Private Halls such as Guilden Village – Future Generation or other Purpose built student accommodation like Scape.
Looking for a house
If you already know who you are going to live with, then that is great, but we know it can be hard looking for a new place to live. Below is some guidance of where to start. Some landlords and estate agents will offer different types of tenancies (such as bills included, rent per room only or, rent for the whole house), so make sure you know what you are signing up for and make sure that you know what budget you can afford.
Renting privately should be legally binding with a contract, so make sure you can afford the house you want, and that all of your housemates are on the same page.
Landlords and letting agencies mainly advertise their housing on Rightmove, Zoopla, Studentpad and On The Market. Check out the information below for more specific guidance on Letting Agents.
Letting agents
With so many letting agencies to choose from, we encourage all students to ensure they have done sufficient research about what these agencies offer.
Agencies will charge a wide range of fees which varies from each agent and also have different requirements for you to pass their referencing process. Ensure you are clear about this before paying any monies or signing any application forms or tenancy agreements.
We advise students searching for accommodation to consider properties with these letting agents in the first instance:
- Hood’s Residential (Student Lettings): 01483 913916 / tom@hoodsresidential.com
- Leaders: 01483 455990 / guildford@leaders.co.uk
- Bourne: 01483 458 338 / guildfordlettings@bourneestateagents.com
- Cobbles: 01483 457 000 / info@cobbles.co.uk
- Gascoigne Pees (Student Lettings): 01483 300 336 / studenthouse@gpees.co.uk
- SWR: 01483 573 483 / david@swrl.co.uk
- Kings Estates (Student Lettings): 01483 941010 / guildford@kingsestates.net
Finding a housemate
Have a house but need another person? There are lots of ways to find additional people to live with including looking at EasyRoommate or Spare Room.
If you are already signed into a contract and need a replacement tenant:
Please start by checking your tenancy agreement (contract). Once you are happy with the terms of replacing your tenant you will need to email the landlord/tenant and explain that you are seeking to leave your tenancy and are aware that you will be required to find a suitable replacement tenant to take over your tenancy and associated financial obligations i.e. rent; utility costs etc. Your housemates will have to agree to accept any replacement tenant you may find, so make sure you discuss this with them before you look to advertise your room.
Below are some platforms you can advertise on but don’t advertise until you are happy with the terms of your contract! This will avoid any potential problems with your landlord and housemates.
Choosing a Location
Best Bits: On campus, en suite rooms available, has its own laundrettes, reception, and common rooms.
Distances: On campus, 15 minutes to town centre, 10 minutes to Lidl/Tesco.
Closest shop: Lidl/Tesco.
Buses: Route 1 to Soughton or to Town Centre.
Parking: Permitted.
Scape
Bankside
Unilife Riverside
Distances: 5 minute walk to Stag Hill, 5 minutes to Lidl and 15 minutes to Town Centre.
Closest Shop: Lidl
Buses: 5 minutes to Stag Hill to get Route 1 to Town Centre or to Stoughton.
Best Bits: Double beds, communal gardens and study zones.
Parking: Limited, £510 per year.
Best Bits: Has its own laundrettes, reception, common room and heart and soul restaurant. On suite rooms available.
Distances: 39 minutes to Town Centre, 10 minutes to Tesco and 20-minute walk from reception to Stag Hill.
Closest Shop: Tesco
Buses: Route 1 to Stoughton or to Town Centre.
Parking: Permitted.
Best Bits: Has its own laundrettes, common rooms and regular public transport. Parking is available, accommodation is cheaper and subsidised bus passes are provided.
Distances: 2-3 miles from Stag Hill, subsidised bus pass provided. 1 minute walk to local Costcutter.
Closest Shop: Costcutter
Buses: Route 1 to University, Route 2 to Town Centre.
Parking: Permitted but available
Best Bits: More available parking, close to Woodbridge Hill GP.
Distances: 18 minutes from Woodbridge Hill Post Office to Stag Hill, 2 minute walk to CO-OP and 27 minute walk to Town Centre.
Average Room Price: £450-£550 per room
Closest Shop: The Cooperative
Buses: Route 1 to University and Route 2 to Town Centre.
Parking: No Permit Required
Best Bits: Close to Lidl and Ladymead retail park. Ample parking with no permit required.
Distances 39 minute to Stag Hill, 18 minute walk to Lidl and 40 minute walk to town centre.
Average Room Price: £400-£500 per room
Closest Shop: Lidl
Buses: Bus 3 to Town Centre, then Route 1 from Town Centre to Stag Hill.
Parking: No Permit Required
Best Bits: Close to the Kate Granger building and in very close walking distance of Tesco. Most roads have ample free parking as well.
Distances: 38 minute walk to Town Centre, 15 minute walk to Stag Hill and 11 minute walk to Tesco.
Average Room Price: £450-£550 per room
Closest Shop: Tesco
Buses: Route 1 to University and Town Centre.
Parking: No Permit Required.
Best Bits: Short walk to shopping centre and restaurants, close to off-campus nightclubs and a short walk from Stag Hill.
Distances: 3 minutes to Tesco Express, 16 minutes to Stag Hill.
Average Room Price: £500-£600 per room
Closest Shop: Tesco Express
Buses: Route 1 to University and Tesco
Parking: Permitted
Best Bits: Cheaper than town centre, close to train station, Stag Hill and Tesco. Short walk into town centre and Surrey Sports Park.
Distances: 6 minutes to Stag Hill, 5 minutes to CO-OP and 13 minutes to Town Centre.
Closest Shop: The Cooperative
Buses: Route 1 to University and Town Centre
Parking: Permitted
Best Bits: Close to train station, Stag Hill and town centre. Large properties with high numbers of bedrooms.
Distances: 3 minutes to CO-OP, 9 minutes to Stag Hill and 14 minutes to Town Centre.
Average Room Price: £500-£600 per room
Closest Shop: The Cooperative
Buses: 5 minutes to Stag Hil to get Route 1 to Town Centre or to Stoughton
Parking: Permitted
Best Bits: Free on-site gym, cinema room, study pods and blackout blinds.
Parking: None
Best Bits: Air conditioning, roof terrace, secret society room and free on-site gym.
Distances: 21 minute walk to Stag Hill, 15 minutes to Waitrose and 21 minutes to Town Centre.
Closest Shop: Waitrose
Buses: 5 minutes to Stag Hill to get Route 1 to Town Centre or to Stoughton.
Parking: None
Best Bits: Digital TV, contents insurance, grab and go breakfast and disabled access.
Parking: None