Accommodation in London

Please carefully consider what you can afford, and remember to include the cost of bills if you rent privately.

Greater London and its surrounding areas are divided into 9 zones, each with its own unique character and affordability. By spending some time researching locations suitable for you, you'll feel more informed and confident about your choice. If you prefer to live closer to the RCA campuses, the more affordable areas are Hammersmith, Shepherd’s Bush, Clapham and Battersea. 

Most RCA students live in the following postcodes:

• SW11 (Battersea and Clapham Junction)
• W12 (Shepherds Bush and White City)
• W3 (Ealing, Hounslow, Hammersmith and Fulham)
• SW6 (Fulham district, Fulham, Parsons Green)
• SW8 (South Lambeth, Vauxhall, Battersea, Part of Clapham, and north-west Stockwell)
• SW5 (Earl’s Court)
• W6 (Hammersmith)
• W14 (West Kensington and Holland Park)
• W2 (Paddington, Bayswater, Hyde Park, Westbourne Green, Notting Hill, and part of Little Venice)

London boasts a comprehensive public transport network that operates day and night, providing you with the reassurance and ease of getting around the city. The underground tube, in particular, is a popular choice due to its affordability and speed, often outpacing the city’s busy roads.

You can use the Transport for London tube map to see the different tube and rail stations, and the zones they are in. You can also download the Citymapper app onto your mobile phone or device. This will show you the different transport options between locations and the associated costs.

Download and use the University of London Housing Services (UoLHS) Private Housing Guide to help you every step of the way, you can search the guide by pressing ‘ctrl & f’ and entering the key word/s.

This is where you either live on your own or with a group of other people in a property rented from a landlord or estate agent. It is the most common housing option and often the best when considering cost and availability. 

You will pay a deposit and rent directly to your landlord. However, you must pay your bills (water, gas, electricity, internet) separately. 

Financial planning is crucial when considering private renting. You may need a UK-based guarantor and be required to pay rent in advance if you don’t have one. This highlights the importance of ensuring you have enough funds to cover these payments before signing a contract, making you feel prepared and responsible. 

Your contract will usually be for a minimum of 12 months; however, in some cases, you can leave before this if you find someone to replace you.

Where to look

We would recommend you start your search using the University of London Housing Service website. You can search for accommodation through vetted landlords and agencies, and they have links to accommodation all across London. You can also use their tenancy checking service.

You can also look to different letting agencies and estate agencies to help find private accommodation. They work on behalf of private landlords to advertise and manage properties in their local area. They will often be able to help you find multiple properties and will manage the deposit and tenancy process. 

Zoopla and Rightmove are good websites for looking at properties available at different letting agencies across London.

Please note: When renting any of the above you should check if they will come furnished, part-furnished or unfurnished. Part-furnished and unfurnished will end up costing you more as you will need to buy furniture and household items.

Lettings Agents must join one of the two government-approved redress schemes, so it is recommended that you look at their websites before you go with a Letting Agent:

The Property Ombudsman (TPO)

The Property Redress Scheme

More information can be found on the Shelter website.

Although the RCA doesn’t have any of its own student accommodation, there are a large number of privately managed student halls of residence across London. We advise students to choose accommodation providers that are members of ANUK as this ensures that the accommodation provider is regulated and there is a complaints process. Providers become ANUK members to offer security to students by advertising that they are regulated and comply with the National Code.

You will have the option of living on your own, or with other students in properties ranging from flats with shared kitchens and bathrooms, to en-suite rooms, to even your own self-contained studio flat.

These are often more expensive than private rented accommodation, however will usually have all bills included in the rent. The prices vary quite significantly, so it is worth taking some time to research your options. 

Their rules on guarantors can be different from private rented accommodation, so this can be a good option for international students. Additionally, many of the contracts are only nine months long, to coincide with the school year, meaning you would not be required to pay rent over summer if you were planning on returning to your home country. 

These can often be booked well in advance of coming to the UK, and some can be cancelled after signing if you are unable to come and study in the UK for any reason. 

Where to look

You can find further information and links on the University of London Housing Website here.

Please note that the listed accommodation providers are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Royal College of Art and this list is for information purposes only.

Brittania Students (various locations)

Downing Students (The Lyra - North Acton)

Urbanest (Battersea)

Urbanest (Kings Cross)

Urbanest (St Pancras)

Optivo (various locations)

Queen Alexandra's House (South Kensington)

If you want a short-term option when you first arrive in the UK, you may wish to look at staying in a hostel or hotel. Alternatively, you can lodge with a family group, renting out a room in a house as a lodger, which can be a cheaper option. 

While these are less secure as long-term options, this can be a good way to see the city before you decide where you want to live long-term. 

Where to look

Hostels can be a very affordable way to stay in London for a short period. This is generally shared accommodation, however many hostels do offer private rooms.

• www.hostelworld.com
• www.yha.org.uk
• HotelsCombined

For homestays you can look at the following sites:

• HFS London Homestays
• Home from Home - London Homestays
• Hosts International
• Spare Room

When you have found a suitable property and are thinking about signing a tenancy agreement, you should check the following: 

• How much you will be expected to pay upfront
• That you fully understand the terms and conditions of the contract
• That the deposit will be protected in a Tenancy Deposit Scheme

You should also ensure that you are provided with the following:

• Receipts of all financial transactions
• A copy of the signed contract
• The name and address of the landlord/letting agent
• Written confirmation of any verbal agreements
• A list of contents, also known as an inventory

Please note: You are responsible for returning the property in the same condition as when it was let to you, allowing for fair wear and tear. When moving in, it is a good idea to record the property's condition and take photographs of any existing damage.

Once you have found somewhere to live, you will usually be asked to sign a tenancy agreement. The following information should be included:

• Name and address of the landlord or letting agent
• The dates of the fixed tenancy
• The amount of rent payable and the date of each month that it should be paid
• Your responsibilities as a tenant (i.e. you must not damage property, annoy the neighbours, etc.)

If you are unsure about an agreement in any way, please do not sign it. Student Support can help with initial enquiries and can refer you to the University of London Housing Service.  

Please see the University of London Housing Service's 'Contract checking guide' for more information.  

You should make sure that you are clear about the period of notice on any contract you sign. Notice periods are usually one or two months.

Some contracts may have a break clause in them that allows you to terminate your contract early. For example, a 12-month contract may have a break clause after six months, meaning that you can give notice after this point.

Please note: If you do not have a break clause in your agreement and you try to leave early you may lose money.

You will usually have to pay a deposit to cover any possible damage to the property or breaches of contract. This cannot legally be more than the equivalent of five weeks' rent, excluding some exceptional circumstances. 

Provided that you have kept to your tenancy agreement the deposit should be returned to you in full once you have vacated the property and an inspection has taken place.

Tenancy Deposit Scheme

In order to safeguard your deposit, you should ensure that your landlord or letting agent puts your deposit into a tenancy deposit scheme – TDS (this was made a legal requirement in April 2007).

Information on tenancy deposit schemes can be found on the Shelter website.

Once you move into your property, your landlord or letting agent should supply you with the following information on how your deposit is being protected within a certain time frame: 

• The contact details of the tenancy deposit scheme
• The contact details of the landlord or letting agent
• How to apply for release of the deposit, and
• What to do if there is a dispute of the deposit.

If you do not get this information you should request it from your landlord or letting agent. If they still refuse to give you this information you can apply to your local county court to either get the deposit paid back or make your landlord/letting agent put the deposit in one of the schemes.

The Student Support Team can help with initial enquiries and can refer you to the University of London Housing Service. 

From the 1 June 2019 most tenancy related fees are now banned by law. This includes things like references, administration, credit and immigration checks, and renewing your tenancy when your fixed-term contract ends. 

If you are asked to pay a fee please speak with the University of London Housing Service.