Accommodation

Inercolegiate halls are UoL halls of residence that are situated across London. The Academy has been allocated rooms in:

• Nutford House (includes catering)
• College Hall (includes catering)
• The Garden Halls (self-catered)

Priority Allocation System

The Academy is provided with a set number of rooms in the University of London Intercollegiate Halls each year. The number of rooms we are allocated may not necessarily cover the number of applications we receive from students looking to live in these halls. As a result, the Academy runs a priority system by which certain applicants receive higher priority for room allocation. This order of priority is as follows:

1. Students with medical conditions and special requirements. The University of London may require proof of any medical conditions detailed in your application
2. Students with food or beverage allergies or intolerances who may or may not require catered accommodation
3. Students moving from overseas countries
4. Students within the UK but currently living some distance from the Academy
5. Students entering their first year of study
6. Students entering their second year of study
7. Students entering their third year of study
8. Students entering their fourth year of study

If you have any questions or queries regarding the priority system, please contact our accommodation team at accommodation@ram.ac.uk, who will be happy to assist.

ISH offers affordable dormitory, triple, twin and single bedrooms for students from various universities and institutions. It is located on Great Portland Street, five minutes from the Academy.

Apply directly as soon as the process opens (usually March/April) as places are in extremely high demand.

There are a number of other private halls, too – you can find more details in the accommodation guide above.

Student halls and flats are a popular choice, particularly for first-year students – utilities are included in the monthly rent and some halls also provide meals, making it easier to budget.

These options are often oversubscribed, so for the best chance of success, apply to more than one – the earlier, the better. Applications usually open in April, but check the deadline for each place you wish to apply to.

There are a huge number of privately-run halls of residence throughout London available to all students studying in London. Typically, these halls consist of units of five bedrooms, each with an ensuite bathroom plus a shared kitchen/living space. Although there are various private halls around Central London and within walking distance of the Academy, these tend to be the highest priced. Some students may prefer to live in a hall further away from the Academy at a lower cost.

Practice facilities in private halls are not common, so please check with your provider if there are any practice facilities and if there are any rules against practicing in bedrooms.

Prices vary according to provider, length of contract and location. Here is a list of some popular providers:

• CRM Students
• Unite Students
• Host Students
• IQ Student Accommodation

Properties are found online either through property portals or classified sites; the former being used by estate agents and the latter being used by landlords themselves.

Property portals are a form of search engine, focussing solely on property. They can be enormously useful in researching the prices and availability in each area, as well as finding suitable properties. By entering what you are looking for (size, price, area etc), the site will display all the properties in a particular area. Almost all estate agents are members of the main sites (below), meaning that you will always get many results.

• Rightmove
• Zoopla

The University of London is pleased to offer House Hunt, your official property platform designed to support you in finding safe, high-quality accommodation.

All property providers on House Hunt are required to comply with the Code of Practice, making sure that the accommodation listed is suitable for students and meets the necessary standards.

Here’s what you can expect when using House Hunt:

• Private landlords must provide up-to-date safety certificates (such as gas safety and electrical safety certificates) and proof of ownership. This means you can trust that the property is safe and legitimate.
• Letting agents and purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) providers must be registered with recognised professional bodies or redress schemes, ensuring they operate to professional standards and follow proper regulations.

By using House Hunt, you can avoid the risks that sometimes come with private market searches. All listings are carefully vetted, giving you access to secure, reliable, and student-friendly accommodation options.

On the platform, you can filter properties based on your budget and proximity to train lines or the underground, making it easier to find suitable accommodation with convenient connections to the Academy. You can access the platform here - Student Accommodation in London - houses homes flats housing

When looking for somewhere to live, do not be tempted to pay an agency to find somewhere for you. This is illegal and is a scam. Often these companies will charge £100+ which is non-refundable. Any company that tries to charge you before a viewing is breaking the law.

New legislation came into effect from 1^st June 2019, known as the Tenant Fees Act 2019. Prior to this date, agencies could charge fees to tenants once they have found them a property. These varied from agent to agent, fees could be charged for drawing up the contract, or for producing an inventory. Some agencies also charged for referencing and/or ‘admin’. However, with the introduction of this new act, most fees will be banned. This ban applies to both landlords renting property directly to tenants and agents. This legislation is enforceable by local trading standards.

Be cautious of scams, as some fake landlords take deposits and disappear. If something feels off, trust your instincts as there are always other properties available.

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 comes into force from 1 May 2026 and introduces major reforms to private renting. The changes will affect both existing and new tenancies, including those during the 2025/26 academic year, although some rules may vary depending on when the tenancy started.

The Act abolishes Section 21 'no-fault' evictions, meaning landlords must provide a legal reason to evict a tenant. Fixed-term tenancies will end and all tenancies will become monthly rolling agreements (Assured Periodic Tenancies). Tenants will be able to leave at any time by giving at least two months’ notice.

Rent increases will be limited to once per year using a formal process. Large upfront rent payments will be restricted, and rental bidding wars will be banned, requiring landlords to advertise a clear asking rent and not encourage higher offers. Landlords will also be prohibited from discriminating against tenants with children or those receiving benefits, and tenants will have the right to request a pet.

Right to Rent immigration checks will still apply, and guarantors remain liable for tenancy breaches, including in some joint tenancy situations. Councils will also have stronger enforcement powers, and tenants will have expanded rights to reclaim rent through Rent Repayment Orders.

For student housing, a new ground allows landlords to recover student accommodation at the end of the academic year, although some private PBSA providers may be exempt from certain changes Guide to the Renters’ Rights Act - GOV.UK

If you are renting a property and there are 5 or more of you sharing facilities (e.g., bathroom, kitchen, living room), then your landlord needs to ensure that they have an appropriate HMO licence. This has been a requirement since 1^st October 2018. If you are renting a large property such as this, ask the landlord for a copy of their licence.

Lodgings and Homestays involve renting a bedroom or part of a house where the owner also lives. You usually share the kitchen, living areas, and sometimes the bathroom with the owner and their family. Contracts are often short-term or flexible, and bills are typically included.

House or Flat Shares involve renting a bedroom in a property with other tenants, without the landlord living there. Communal areas like kitchens and bathrooms are shared, and you may need to follow house rules regarding practice hours or other requirements.

• UoL Find a Flatmate
• University of London House Hunt Platform

Although we can advise and support you with private housing options, the Academy will hold no legal responsibility for any private renting, including lodging, home stays and house shares. For all general and legal advice or any other information or guidance on private renting, Academy students are entitled to free assistance from the University of London Housing Services (ULHS). Information can be found at their website here ULHS

If you are at all unsure about this type of accommodation, please email the Accommodation team at accommodation@ram.ac.uk.

When looking for private rented accommodation, or indeed any type of accommodation, you will need to bear in mind travel costs to and from the Academy. Students are entitled to discounts on many forms of transport, including Student Oyster Cards with Transport for London (TFL). More information can be found on TFL Student Oyster.

Hostel Accommodation is often offered by charitable or not-for-profit organisations at low cost, usually for specific groups of students, like those from religious communities.

Rooms are typically shared dorms or twin rooms, though some now offer private rooms. Bathrooms are usually shared, and many hostels include meals, social activities, and on-site wardens.

Hostels can be stricter than halls or private rentals, with rules like curfews, alcohol bans, or limits on visitors. Make sure you understand these before committing.

The list below contains many of the more prominent and popular hostels. If you are interested in hostels for faiths groups, you might want to contact a member of your religious group for further information or online.

• Victoria League (Commonwealth students only)
• Goodenough College (Postgraduate students only)
• Queen Alexandra's House (Female only accommodation)
• The Hyelm Group (Mixed and female-only accommodation)
• London Hostels Association (Short-term and long-term)

Agencies take references on behalf of landlords. These usually include proof of student status, evidence you can afford the rent (such as bank statements), and possibly a reference from a previous landlord or halls, or a next of kin contact. You will likely need to provide two or three, so have them ready to avoid delays.

Most agencies also require a UK-based guarantor in full-time employment who signs the contract and accepts legal responsibility for unpaid rent or damage. Some require one guarantor per property, others per tenant.

Overseas students without a UK guarantor are often asked to pay at least six months’ rent in advance, sometimes the full year. As this is a large sum, consider your finances carefully. Payments are usually non-refundable if you later withdraw or leave early.

A landlord or agent will normally charge you a deposit, usually the equivalent of one month’s rent, although it can be higher. Under the new Tenant Fees Acts 2019 deposits are capped at 5 weeks rent unless the annual rent is over £50,000 when it can be 6 weeks.

All deposits taken by landlords for Assured Shorthold Tenancies in England and Wales must be protected by a tenancy deposit scheme. This applies to most tenancies. This means that the deposit that you give to the landlord is held in trust by another impartial company that will negotiate the swift and safe return of deposits to tenants minus any charges incurred during the tenancy. Always make sure you find out which tenancy deposit scheme the landlord or agent will be registering your deposit with. Once the tenancy agreement is signed, the landlord or agent should provide each tenant with a certificate from the relevant scheme shortly after moving in, to prove this.

AST or Assured Shorthold Tenancy contracts are provided by the agent or landlord for both tenant and landlord to sign. Please make sure you always keep a signed copy to refer to. These set out the rules and obligations for both the tenant and the landlord, such as whether you can smoke in the property and when and how the rent shall be paid. Other items, such as who is responsible for maintaining the outside areas or how long the property can remain unoccupied for will also be in there. It is always recommended that before you sign, you check through the contract thoroughly, and if there is anything you do not understand or you think is unfair, please make sure you ask the landlord/agent for clarification or check with the Central Administration & Accommodation Assistant or contact the University of London Housing Services (ULHS).

Follow this link for the ULHS Housing Contract Guide ULHS Housing Contract Guide. You can also book an appointment with ULHS to check your contract for you. See ULHS Contract Checking Service for more details.

Council Tax is a local tax charged to residents to pay for services like rubbish collection, street lighting, policing and libraries. Information about council tax is available on the UK Gov website.

Full-time students are generally exempt from paying council tax but may need to submit an exemption letter from the Academy to their local Council.

Your halls of residence will usually do this on your behalf, however if you are living in private lodgings, a house share or a private rented house/flat you will need to do this yourself.
If you live with non-students, you will not be automatically exempt. Information about the discount or exemption is on the UK Gov website.

After you have completed enrolment, you can request a Council Tax Exemption Letter from the Registry. To do this, log into the Academy Intranet through the Students and Staff Portal and go to Services - Registry to find the online request form.

Please note that we are unable to issue a Council Tax Exemption letter until your enrolment is complete. If you are living in student halls of residence, you normally will not need this letter.

Further information: NUS Student Renter's Rights Hub

Tenancy deposit schemes: Deposit Protection Scheme Info