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Looking for private rented

Looking for private accommodation? There is a number of resources available to help you in your search including SASSH-accredited properties advertised by the University. See the different options below.

SASSH (Southampton Accreditation Scheme for Student Housing)

The scheme is run in partnership between the University of Southampton, Southampton Solent University and Southampton City Council. The purpose of the scheme is to ensure that students have access to a supply of high quality, safe accommodation that is well managed.

To advertise a property through the scheme, a landlord must declare that the property meets the required SASSH standards. This is a self-accreditation scheme and relies on landlords making accurate assessments of their property against the SASSH standards. However, Southampton City Council carries out random spot checks of registered properties to ensure they meet the standards claimed. In addition, if a report is made to the Universities or to the Council, the Council can make arrangements to check that particular property.

If you are a landlord and have a query about using SASSH or a property that you are currently advertising on SASSH, please complete the following enquiry form.

If you are a student and have a query about SASSH, please click here for an enquiry form.

If you are concerned that a property does not meet the standards as advertised, please contact the Southampton City Council, Landlord and Tenant Issues on +44(0)23 8083 2254.

To view properties listed with SASSH please click the button below:

SUSU Lettings

SUSU Lettings is located on the University of Southampton’s campus within the heart of the Students Union. We specialise in student accommodation in the Southampton area.

SUSU Lettings was inspired by a need for change when it comes to student lettings, an ambition to provide an approachable, trustworthy Letting Agency for both Landlords and Students. They provide a range of services including full management, let only or room only.

To find out more about SUSU Lettings click the button below:

Letting agencies

Like all cities Southampton has many estate and letting agencies that can help you to find private accommodation, some of which specialise in accommodation for students. When looking, it's a good idea to ask students currently in private rented accommodation whether they would recommend their agents.

Another way to find properties advertised through letting agencies is to look online, as most agencies have their own website with details of the properties they currently have advertised. There are also websites that collect together adverts from a number of different agencies such as www.rightmove.co.uk and www.zoopla.co.uk

Unlike many of the landlords on the SASSH list, or SUSU Lettings most letting agencies will charge an administration fee if you take a property through them. This can also be called a referencing, administration or credit checking fee. The size of the fee will vary from agency to agency, but on average will be between £100 and £200 per person.

When should you start looking?

When you should start looking will depend largely on your circumstances. If you are currently at the University and are looking for accommodation for next year, we advise starting your search in February, after your exams. We publish the SASSH housing lists online at this time to coincide with Housing Awareness Week, which we run in conjunction with the Students' Union to give you advice on private rented housing.

Students sometimes worry that waiting until February is too late, but years of experience show that this is not the case. Looking for a house in December can be a risk when you have only known your prospective housemates for a few months - remember that signing a contract legally binds you to a property, so you can't pull out if you change your mind at a later date.

Who should you live with?

Choosing who to live with is a very important part of the process and needs careful consideration.

If you are not sure who you want to live with or wish to meet new people to live with the SASSH website - www.sassh.co.uk has a "Find a flat mate" Message Board, which you can use to get in touch with students in a similar situation.

You will probably already have in mind the people that you want to share with, but think carefully about this. We would recommend that you do not share with more than three or four other people - groups any larger than this give more potential for arguments or personality clashes.

When looking for a property there will be certain things that you are looking for. Some important points to consider are:

  • Safety - this is the most important factor of all, you need to be happy in your accommodation, but you also need to be safe.
  • Location, location, location - where is the property in relation to where your lectures are held? Is it on a Uni-Link bus route? Are there shops/bars/other amenities near by? Have a look at the Accommodation Statistics on the right hand side of every SASSH webpage for up to date average rent levels.
  • Cost - how much is your rent going to be for the entire year? Do you have the finances to cover this amount? You will be signing a legally binding contract to pay rent for the full period, so don't commit yourself if you don't think you can afford it. Are the bills included in the rent? If not, how much are they likely to be?
  • Landlords and letting agents - Ask people you already know in private rented accommodation. Would they recommend their landlord/letting agent?

In order to assist you in your search we have produced a Viewing Checklist that you can download below. Print this out and take it with you to viewings to make sure that the property has everything that you need.

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