Students

Students: your essential guide to renting in Cambridge

The city of Cambridge is a fantastic place to study, and we want to help you make the most of your time here. At Cambridge Property Lettings, we provide students with high quality accommodation that is modern, comfortable and secure.

As leading student letting agents in Cambridge, we want to make finding a home as easy as possible. Here’s our ten-point guide to help you get the best out of Cambridge student housing.

Step One: Who will you share with?

Our Cambridge student flats and houses accommodate between two and six people (with no shared bedrooms!) Fortunately, we don’t put tenants together, so it’s up to you to choose housemates you’ll be happy to share with.

Most of our Cambridge student properties are fully furnished and include white goods such as fridges and washing machines.

Step Two: What’s your price range?

Before you start looking for student accommodation in Cambridge, check with your house-sharing group to find out what they can afford. Everyone should be able to cover rent and bills as well as their daily living expenses. Working out your monthly budget may be easier with an ‘all bills included’ rental option.

Step Three: Can someone guarantee your rent?

You’ll each need someone to guarantee your rent (talk this through with your guarantor before beginning your property search). The guarantor/s should be UK based, with an annual salary of not less than 36 times the monthly rental cost, divided by the number of bedrooms at the property. If you cannot get a UK guarantor, Housing Hand may be able to help.

Step Four: Where will you live?

Would you prefer to live in a buzzing area close to the city centre bars and restaurants, or do peace and serene appeal more? Do you want to live near your college, or are you prepared to commute? As a rule, Cambridge student accommodation is cheaper within commuting distance of the city centre

Step Five: Starting your property search

Begin your search by exploring the properties that are currently available on our website. If you see something you like, simply hit the ‘share’ button to send details to your house-sharing group. If you don’t find anything suitable right away, you can set up an alert, and we’ll let you know when a new property becomes available.

Step Six: View properties

There is always fierce competition for suitable properties, so be prepared to move quickly if one becomes available. It’s essential that everyone in your house-sharing group views at the same time, as you can’t apply until everyone has seen the property.

Step Seven: Making an application

When you’ve chosen your ideal property, you will need to make a joint tenant application with your group. Then, once we have received everyone’s ID documents, plus satisfactory references for tenants and guarantors, you can sign up online.

Step Eight: Right to rent checks

The Immigration Act of 2014 requires us to check all adult tenants have the legal right to rent in the UK. That means all tenants aged 18 years and older will need to visit our office in person with the relevant information. When your referencing is complete, we’ll give you a time frame for your personal visit.

Step Nine: Before you move

You’ll need to pay the deposit and first month’s rent before you move in. We would advise you to set up a joint bank account with your housemates so you can pay us by standing order on the first of each month. Visit the property to check through the inventory and mark up any differences on the document. Take photos if possible and let us know your findings within 48 hours of inspection. With regard to insurance, the landlord will insure the building. Still, you are advised to take out insurance, both for your possessions and to cover any damage to the rental property or its contents.

Step Ten: Pick up your keys and move in!

Now you can collect the keys and move in. You’ll be provided with an accommodation handbook containing tips and information to help you settle into your new home. Maintenance issues can be quickly reported via our website, and we also have a dedicated phone line for out-of-hours emergencies. Finally, don’t forget that your Property Manager will be there for you throughout your tenancy to answer questions and deal with any problems.