New study shows Swansea is the best city in the UK for students looking to rent

Research by Admiral has shown that Swansea is the most student-friendly city in the UK for renters, with 87.3 rentals per 100 available to renters looking for a student-friendly household.

Glasgow and Bristol are the least student-friendly cities in the UK, with only 22.7 and 36.6 available rooms per 100.

Students looking for student-friendly households have to pay £20 more per month to rent than the average renter in the UK. Wales has the lowest difference with £6 per month, whilst Scotland has the most significant difference with £141 per month.

Top 10 friendliest UK cities to rent for students

*The number of rentals available for each demographic was found using search filters on popular online room rental sites in the UK.

Top 10 least student-friendly UK cities to rent 

How much more does it cost to rent student-friendly accommodation?

We’ve discovered that in the UK, students looking for student-friendly households have to pay £20 more per month to rent than the average renter. Scotland has the most significant difference, where renters have to pay £141 more. 

Tips for renters

Admiral have some top tips for renters to help you find and negotiate for the perfect place.

Budget for what you can afford

• The most important thing you need to think about before finding a property is how much you can afford to pay each month in rent. A popular rule of thumb is to allocate about 30% of your monthly salary to your monthly rent. This figure doesn’t include what you’ll pay for utilities.
• The 30% rule means if you earn £1,300 a month (for example), you should look for a property that costs about £390pcm (per calendar month).
• Set some money aside for your security deposit, which should be equivalent to up to six weeks’ worth of rent. It’s returned back to you at the end of your tenancy.
• You’ll also need to think about your monthly costs for utilities. These include council tax, water, energy, internet, landline, your TV licence, and any property service fees. Energy costs will differ depending on your chosen energy company, the size of your property, and how much energy you use. Council tax will depend on the property’s tax band, which a letting agent or landlord should be able to tell you.
• Don’t forget to budget for home and contents insurance, too. Both types of insurance will help to protect you financially in the case of something happening to the home (for example, a fire) or to your belongings (like a burglary).

Look for properties that will cater to your needs

• If you have a car, find out whether the property has a driveway or a dedicated parking space you can use. If you don’t drive, it may be useful to check out the local transport links. Fully or half-furnished properties (meaning they contain all or some of the furniture you’ll need) are ideal if you don’t have much of your own furniture.
• Pet-owners will need to make sure that the landlord is okay with you keeping your furry friend at the property. Though it may be tempting, it’s best not to sneak a pet into a house without clearing it with your landlord first and potentially have it written into your rental agreement.
• Some properties don’t have a garden, so make sure to check this if it’s important to you to have access to an outdoor space. If you have kids, be sure to research the catchment areas of local schools.

Negotiate with your landlord before you sign a contract

• Your landlord may be open to negotiation when it comes to particular aspects of your tenancy agreement. Always read it through before signing and make sure to highlight anything you’d like to discuss.
• If a rental price is slightly out of your budget, it may be worth asking the landlord if the price is negotiable. Landlords are often more willing to accept a lower rental price if the property has been empty for a while and they are keen to get someone moved in.
• Previous landlord references can be used to demonstrate to a prospective landlord how desirable of a tenant you are. Plus points include being able to move in quickly, having a history of paying your rent on time, and personal attributes like not being a smoker or having pets (as these have the potential to cause damage to the property).

(Lead image: Google Maps)