When Should You Start Looking for Your Student Rental?
Once you’ve received your offer letter from your dream university, it’s time to get excited about your student accommodation. After all, where you live will play a huge role in your university life and how well you settle in.
With this in mind, you may wonder when the right time to look for student accommodation is. Our student property advisors have over 20 years of experience in helping students find their ideal homes in Newcastle, so here’s a bit of expert guidance from us.
When to look for student housing as a first-year student
The best time to start searching: April to July
As a first-year student, you’ll probably experience plenty of excitement and nervousness while navigating your student accommodation search for the first time. Remember — this is completely natural!
We recommend starting your property search between April and July if you’ve already secured your place or are confident you will achieve the grades for your offer. This window will give you plenty of time to explore the different student housing options available to you, and you’ll be able to make a more informed decision.
The most popular accommodation choice for freshers is a university hall of residence, however shared student properties in Newcastle in prime locations like Jesmond and Newcastle City Centre offer more independence for your university experience.
If you're not sure where to start, check out ourstudent rental advice or our Ultimate Student Housing Guide.
When to look for second-year university accommodation
The best time to start searching: October to February
Many students search for second-year student lettings in Newcastle as early as the October before their second year begins! The demand for housing in popular Newcastle student areas like Jesmond, Heaton and Sandyford is huge. To secure the best student property, it’s always best to act sooner rather than later.
We know that this can be a stressful time — especially in a busy student city like Newcastle. Here are some top tips to help make your student house search as smooth as possible:
Plan ahead: Agree on housemates and your monthly rent budget early.
Do your research: There are plenty of options all across the city, but narrowing down your location preferences based on your requirements will definitely ease the process.
Book viewings: Student properties in high-demand areas often get snapped up quickly. You have nothing to lose by booking a viewing as soon as you see a student property in Newcastle that meets your requirements.
Consider your options: There’s a student property for everyone in Newcastle. Explore the spacious student rentals for smaller groups or flats near the Quayside for a more scenic living experience.
Start your search for student properties in Newcastle to ensure you don’t miss out on the perfect home.
When to look for third-year student accommodation
The best time to start searching: October to March
Returning students tend to be more comfortable and familiar with Newcastle’s student-letting scene and tend to have a better idea of what they’re looking for.
This is a huge advantage in finding accommodation, but this familiarity doesn’t mean you should wait too long. Between October and March, properties in Newcastle’s popular student areas will still be in high demand.
If you're happy with your current property, why not renew your lease for another year? This can be arranged as early as September. Or, if you fancy a change of scenery away from the hustle and bustle of student life, look into the slower way of life areas of Newcastle, like Gateshead and Gosforth, both of which have excellent city transport links.
When to look for student housing on a clearing or late offer
The best time to start searching: August to September
If you’re starting university through clearing or you’ve received a late offer, we know that the search for uni accommodation can feel overwhelming. The good news? If you’re looking for student housing in Newcastle, we’re here to help.
Many student estate agents, like Seekers, have student properties available for last-minute bookings.
Our best advice would be to begin your search as soon as you confirm your place. Clearing and late offers mean you don’t have much wiggle room to be picky, so you may need to consider a wider range of locations. Take a look at our student locations guide for more information.
Ready to find your student house in Newcastle?
Start your student accommodation journey with Seekers today. Our friendly team is here to help you secure the perfect student home in Newcastle.
Whether you're planning ahead or need last-minute help or advice, get in touch to book a property viewing in Newcastle’s most popular student areas.
