Deciding where to live after first year

You've completed your first year at BCU living in Birmingham, and now you need to start planning where to live next year. As a returning student, you've got more choices of where to live, but this can feel overwhelming. This guide will help you compare your options so you can make a decision that fits your budget, living preferences and course. 

Accommodation options for returning students:

• Book directly through BCU with our trusted partners, Lakeside or Staniforth House
• Stay at your current accommodation by booking directly 
• Find a new student flat or house through an online search or Letting Agent

Your options as a returning BCU student

1. Book through us:  We're offering rooms at Lakeside and Staniforth House for returning students, to make things easier for you. If you want to stay in a flat with friends or people on similar courses, you can let us know during your application. 
2. Stay in your current accommodation: This is good if you want to keep things simple. If you like where you're living now, stay in that accommodation by booking directly with the provider. Some of the big student accommodation companies might offer discounts if you book early. If you want to stay with friends, you can let them know this as part of the booking. 
3. Rent a shared house/flat with a private landlord or letting agent: Could be a good option if you've got a close group of friends and want a cosier home. However, you must make sure that the landlord or letting agent is compliant. Check BCU Students' Union's guide to housing for risks and things to look out for. 

We'll cover the pros and cons of each of these in the next few sections. 

Booking through BCU

Booking your student accommodation through BCU is one of the simplest ways to get your home for next year sorted. You'll book through our online portal, but the student accommodations are managed by some of our partners. We've checked these to make sure they're up to a certain standard, and will look after our students. 

Key benefits

• Bills included: predictable costs mean you can budget more easily. 
• Close to campus or transport links: Lakeside and Staniforth are a short walk from our City Centre campus, and have bus stops nearby for travel to City South and Alexander Stadium. 
• Designed for students: good wi-fi, quick maintenance support when you need it, social spaces, security or staff available 24/7. 

Book directly with student accommodation providers

There are many big student accommodation providers in Birmingham, Canvas, Unite, Yugo and more. These companies operate purpose-built student flats across the city, serving all of its universities. If you don't want to stay at Lakeside or Staniforth, you can book directly through these providers' websites.

We recommend starting from the list of partners on our accommodation page, or you can use a site like Accommodation for Students to search for properties close to your campus.

Key benefits

• Bills included: predictable costs mean you can budget more easily. 
• Designed for students: good wi-fi, quick maintenance support when you need it, social spaces, security or staff available 24/7. 
• Close to campus: choose a property closest to your campus to reduce commuting time and costs. 
• Tailor your search: find a home with the features you value, like an on-site gym, the right contract length or a studio flat for privacy.

Things to check before you book

• Contract length and start date: Is it right for your course?
• What's included in the rent: wi-fi, bills, contents insurance, and how much is laundry?
• Cancellation and guarantor policies: Will you be charged if you have to leave early?

Visit BCU Students' Union's housing guide for any questions or concerns, they can also check your tenancy agreement. 

Shared houses or flats with private landlords

This is the type of student accommodation that can cause the most issues. While many students won't have any issues, it's important that you research properly and make sure your landlord has everything they need in place. There are lots of shared student houses in Edgbaston and Selly Oak. 

Key benefits

• Monthly rent may be cheaper: the rent might be cheaper but very few bills will be included and someone won't be available 24/7 to help with any issues. 
• More homely feel: a small house can feel more cosy with a group of friends and you won't have to pay for Circuit laundry
• Greater independence: much more like independent life outside of university. You'll have a lot more admin, but you'll also have a lot more freedom. 

Key risks or things to be aware of

• Bills not included: you'll often pay all your bills, which you'll have to organise with your group. These won't be a consistent cost, so you'll need to budget more effectively across a semester. 
• Lack of property standards: student homes are often old buildings and their physical condition will vary. Problems students often encounter are mould, damp and broken appliances. 
• Repairs and response times: some landlords and agents are better than others and you could be left waiting for a very serious problem to be fixed. For example, the boiler being broken in the winter could leave you in the cold. 
• Scams: learn the signs of a housing scam and be very careful before sending money. 

If you are going to book through a private landlord, speak to the BCU Students' Union Housing team, or visit your Student Support Centre at City Centre or City South campus to get advice before you sign.