Some alternatives to university halls

Moving into private accommodation can be a daunting experience for any student. Whether you are looking for an alternative to university accommodation or considering your post-halls options, you can rest assured that there are plenty of easy and convenient accommodation options across Southampton, no matter your situation.

Private halls

This is an excellent option for incoming first-year students who want an alternative to student halls. However, they can also be a great fit for later years, when people may feel more comfortable outside a house share. Smaller groups can also request to live together in private halls, making this a great option if renting a house share does not suit your lifestyle. There are plenty of options around the city, each with its own perks.

📍Richmond House

Vita Student’s Richmond House is in the city centre, boasting views of Southampton’s marina. It is perfect for students looking for a city-living experience, as it is located next to the lively bars on Oxford Street and the restaurants in Ocean Village. This is a great location for students studying at the NOCS or City Centre campuses.

📍Orion Point

Orion Point is operated by Unite Students and is located a few minutes’ walk from the city centre on St Mary’s Road. This is an excellent location to access popular student spots on London Road, including coffee shops, perfect for studying and socialising. This location neighbours East Park, an excellent green space in the heart of the city.

📍Portswood House

Portswood House, managed by Now Students, is located just off the Portswood High Street, a hub for private student accommodation. Not only is it a short walk away from Highfield Campus, but it is right in the heart of Portswood, with excellent coffee shops, perfect for studying and a wide selection of pubs. The bus stop directly outside, offers direct connections straight to the city centre.

📍Park House

Collegiate’s Park House is located on Above Bar Street, the perfect location to really get the city feel out of your student accommodation. This is in the heart of the cultural quarter, by the John Hansard Gallery, MAST Theatre, and a collection of bars and restaurants. The WestQuay shopping centre and neighbouring green spaces are just a short walk away.

Renting a house share

This is a great option for groups hoping to live together and is therefore more suited to later-year students. Although house hunting may feel stressful, Southampton offers plenty of private accommodation, with many properties remaining available until quite late in the academic year.

Finding housemates

It is common to feel a lot of pressure in your first weeks at university to decide who you want to live with in your second or third year. Although it is worth thinking about, there is plenty of time to organise your accommodation over the course of the year. Rushing into signing a contract may leave you living with housemates you do not particularly get along with.

If you are struggling to form a group, SUSU offers housemate-finding sessions at various points throughout the year. This is a relaxed environment where you can meet other students looking for potential housemates.

Finding a landlord

A great place to start is SASSH, an accreditation scheme checked by the university for private property owners. Here you can browse through properties in the local area to find a room or house that suits your needs. Rightmove is also a great choice for properties that are advertised on behalf of estate agents.

Choosing a house

House tours can feel stressful, especially when you're trying to balance them with your studies. It can be helpful to share the load of booking tours between tenants. The tours can be more enjoyable when completed together, with a visit to a local coffee shop afterwards to discuss what you have seen as a group.

It is important to consider factors such as price, location, and property size when choosing a property. Be sure to look out for mould, especially behind furniture and in bathrooms, and broken furniture when touring the houses. Do not let landlords pressure you into signing a contract before you have properly considered whether the property is the right fit for you and your group. There are plenty of properties around Southampton, giving you plenty of options to consider.