5 things to consider when booking last-minute student accommodation
By Hello Student
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Last minute, doesn’t mean bad student accommodation
Feeling a bit overwhelmed because you’ve left your student accommodation search to the last minute? Don’t panic! It’s a common situation, but you still have plenty of great options that are up to your standards, plus they’ll get a thumbs-up from your parents, which is always a bonus!
To help you feel more at ease and make a smart decision that’s right for you, we’ve put together five important things to consider when booking last-minute student accommodation.
Consider these 5 things when booking student accommodation last-minute:
Location is everything.
Choosing the right location for your student home is crucial, as hidden travel costs can quickly impact your budget. Before booking student accommodation, ask yourself these three questions regarding the location.
How close is it to university? – Don’t immediately dismiss the student room that’s slightly more expensive. Often, the cheaper student accommodation is further away from the University. The only you save in rent, could easily be spent on commuting via a bus or train. Paying a little more money on your rent, may save you money in the long run, but also more time in bed as the walk to university in minimal.
Can I walk to the supermarket? – Carrying bags back may a little workout, but it defiantly beats adding £10 to your weekly food shop budget for an uber back to your student accommodation every week.
Where are the hot spots in your city? – When you’re taking a break from the books and want to explore the city with your friends, you want to be able to easily get there. Whether that’s walking or getting public transport, make sure your student home is close by to make this as easy as possible – university isn’t just all about university and studying, you need time to explore and make memories that will last a lifetime!
At Hello Student, we design our accommodations with your student lifestyle in mind. Our buildings are located close to universities and all the city’s hot spots, so you can get more sleep and focus on living your best student life.
Value for money – Make sure you know what is included in the rent.
Many times, the cheaper the price of a student room, the less it includes. Especially when looking for student houses and student flats in your city, the bills are often not included and need to be considered in your budget.
When looking for student rooms, take some time to find out what exactly is included in the rent, and how much bills are likely to cost each month. Make sure to factor in unexpected high bills during seasons.
We get that you’re an adult and may have moved to a new city, but you don’t need to worry yourself with the adult life admin just yet! That’s why at Hello Student; we make things easy with all-inclusive bills. One simple payment covers everything: electricity, gas, water, and Wi-Fi, so you never have to worry about unexpected costs.
Plus, you’ll find everything you need right here. Our buildings are packed with great amenities, from on-site gyms and social spaces to private and communal study areas. You can invite friends over, hit your fitness goals, and study in a perfect environment, all without leaving the building. It’s an easy way to save money on gym memberships, study sessions in coffee shops and money spent just so you can hang out with friends.
Feeling safe and secure in your student home.
Your parents aren’t the only wants that want you to feel safe; you need to feel it too. Being away from home is a big step, the last thing you need is to feel on-edge.
Before you commit to your student home, do a little detective work – How does the area feel when you walk around? Is it well lit? Do a lot of students live nearby? Make sure you find out what security measures the student accommodation has. There should at least be a security entry with CCTV around the building. You need to feel like you can relax and feel at home in your environment.
Hello Student offers safe and secure accommodation, with a fob security system into and around the building, 24/7 CCTV cameras and security guards on-site overnight. The Hello Student management team in your city, will always be around if you need them, as they work hard to make sure you feel looked after in a safe and secure environment.
Your environment has an impact on how you thrive at university.
University is a short but transformative period of your life. It’s where you’ll develop new skills, forge your identity, and build a network of friends. The place you live should be a foundation for all of that, not just a room.
So, take a moment to reflect: Can you imagine yourself truly thriving here? Will this environment help you achieve your goals, meet new people, and make the most of every day? If you have any doubt, keep searching!
At Hello Student, we believe your environment is key to your success. Our buildings are designed to be more than just a place to sleep. With a mix of different study spaces, regular social events, and a vibrant community of students from all walks of life, you’ll have everything you need to feel supported and live your university experience to the fullest.
What is the student accommodation’s reputation?
It’s easy to book the first room you find available in your student accommodation search, especially if it looks like a good deal. However, it’s important to dig a little deeper and make sure that the accommodation has a good reputation, so you can trust that you’ll have a great student living experience there.
Look into reviews left by previous students, to see what it’s like to live there. A student accommodation with plenty of positive reviews and a transparent record of helping students, shows they are a trustworthy student accommodation provider. This step can make sure that your last-minute student accommodation choice is the best one.
We’re proud our achievements, voted and rated by the students who live with Hello Student.
Our students feedback has earned us some incredible recognition:
2025: Gold Certified Operator by GSL – We were honoured with this achievement thanks to the positive experiences our students shared about living with us.
2024: Best Student Wellbeing by GSL – This award reflects our commitment to creating a caring and supportive environment for every student. We provide dedicated mental health and well-being support through our trained team and the Spectrum app, ensuring you always have help when you need it.
2024: Student Crowd Awards – Our students’ positive reviews helped us get named the best student accommodation in Southampton and Sheffield. We were also ranked in the top three for York, Leeds, Exeter, and Aberdeen.
We take immense pride in providing spaces where you can feel at home, supported, and part of a vibrant community.
Booking last minute student accommodation can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. By considering these five factors, location, value, safety your environment and the provider’s reputation, you can find the ideal place to live that suits you best, and one that will also give your parents some peace of mind.
At Hello Student, we’re happy to help you every step of the way. We want to make sure you have the best student living experience, and that starts with finding a place that feels like home.
Ready to join the thousands of students that call us home?
We have student accommdoation across 22 cities in the UK. Find your student home now.
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