How to find a student flat in Newcastle?

Start your search early

Being ahead of the game is key. The sooner you start looking, the more likely you are to find a place that hits the mark.  

Our tip? Get in touch with local estate agents and private halls and tell them the type of property you’re looking for. They will then send you details of places that meet your criteria and you’ll be able to book viewings so you can see the house or flat in the flesh before you sign a contract. Many also offer online viewings if you cant get there in person. It’s also worth checking out reviews from students who have previous experiences with local estate agents or landlords to help you get a better understanding of how they deal with tenants. 

In some cases, you might find student letting agents pop up on campus of Housing Fairs to give advice about finding a property. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and let them know about your search. 

Area

Knowing what area you want to live is one of the first things you need to consider. Do you want to live close to your university, on campus or off campus? 

In Newcastle, there are plenty of student accommodation options in the city centre if you want to be in the centre of everything that is going on.

Beyond the centre, just a short bus or metro ride away, are places such as Heaton, Sandyford and Jesmond. There’s a big student population in all three of these areas, with plenty of shops, bars and restaurants too. You’re likely to find some good property options in these neighbourhoods so it’s a good idea to walk around and see which streets you like the look and feel of. 

We recommend making a list of must-haves i.e. things you consider essential and a list of nice-to-haves, which are added bonus features. We’ve included an example below:

Must haves

• Working kitchen appliances (oven, fridge, freezer, hob) 
• Plenty of plug sockets
• Kitchen table and chairs 
• Decent-sized wardrobe 
• Comfortable bed 
• Working toilet, shower and sink
• Windows that you can open properly 
• Washing machine and dryer 
• Good security 
• Working Wifi
• Working lights
• A study area with desk and chair 

Nice to haves

• Double bed 
• En-suite bathroom 
• A well-kitted kitchen (note: it’s likely you as the tenant will be responsible for bringing pans, knives and tupperwares but some kitchens will come with a microwave, some cutlery and other utensils)
• Pinboards Garden, balcony or some other outdoor space
• Secure bike storage

You ideally want a student flat that comes furnished so all you have to bring is your clothes, photos, a couple of pieces of crockery, pots and pans plus any other home comforts  

Be Prepared

When speaking to an estate agent or private halls provider, it’s good to ask lots of questions. If you’re new to the city, it’s also great to ask more general questions about bus services, local restaurants etc. This will help you get a better impression of an area. 

During your viewing, it’s good to take lots of photos and videos so you can compare the different properties. Also, look out for cracks or any sign of wear and tear and take photos. These photos will show that any damage there at the start of your tenancy wasn’t caused by you, which is especially helpful when you come to leave the property. 

It’s worth asking the estate agent or landlord when your rent is due each month so you know how much money you need to have in your account, and by which date. Also, double-check which bills are included so you can factor these into your budget. 

We Can Help

We are available to answer any and all questions you may have. We also have plenty of student accommodation options in Newcastle, suited to all budgets and needs.

Newcastle is one of the best cities in the UK to study. It’s a fun, vibrant city brimming with opportunities. For these reasons, it also has a whole range of student accommodation options and Project Student offers some of the best. For more information, you can contact our friendly team either by calling on +44 (0)333 050 0099 or find out more here