Where To Look

Student union offers housing advice for safe, affordable living.
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Please note that the Advice Team does not monitor or inspect any properties but we can provide advice on the validity of tenancy agreements, safety issues and your rights/obligations as a tenant.

If renting directly from the landlord...

Check to see if they are a member of a national schemes, i.e. National Residential Landlords Association or the Guild of Residential Landlords.

If renting through a letting agent...

Letting agents must be members of a redress scheme. You should check which independent redress scheme the agent is a member of in case you have an unresolved dispute.

If they receive money from you, such as rent payments, you should also check they are a member of a client money protection scheme. See a list of approved schemes. By law, this information should also be clearly visible to you at the agent’s premises and on their website.

Reputable agents are often accredited through a professional body such as the Guild of Property Professionals, Propertymark, Safeagent, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors or the UK Association of Letting Agents.

The best places to search online are:

 

Before using these sites please read our advice on avoiding Housing Scams that target students.

There are a number of websites that allow students in the private sector to advertise their spare room or look for potential housemates. Make sure you view the accommodation thoroughly and know how to contact the landlord or agent before signing or paying anything.

Try BCUSU's Official Facebook group to post your spare room or to find a room vacancy.

Other useful sites include:

 

Before using these sites, read our advice on avoiding Housing Scams that target students.

Rooms in University halls of residence are primarily reserved for first year students and international students. However rooms may become available throughout the year, check with BCU's Accommodation Team on 0121 331 5191. Also, have a look at the BCUSU's facebook group for any rooms which are being advertised.

There are also a number of private halls in Birmingham, not partnered with BCU. Rents tend to be more expensive, but often include bills such as free internet access and energy supply. This site provides really useful list of the halls in Birmingham along with ratings.

Some of the private accommodation providers like Canvas and Unite offer short stays.

Other non-student short term accommodation tends to be more expensive. Options include B&B/hotels in the Birmingham area:

Please contact the Advice Team for further help.

BCUSU has a facebook group to help students wanting to advertise a spare room.

Here are a couple of other websites: