Private rented accommodation

Renting private student accommodation is popular at Southampton. After living in halls for your first year, you might choose to rent a house with a group of friends. This usually means that you’ll have your own bedroom and share the lounge, kitchen and bathroom with others in the house.

You can also choose to live in private accommodation rather than halls in your first year of study. 

Cost of renting privately

The cost of renting will depend on the size, location and condition of a house. A room in a student house will cost about:

  • £450 per month in Southampton
  • £550 per month in Winchester

Extra costs to consider

As well as your rent, you'll usually have to pay for:

  • gas, water and electricity
  • internet connection
  • Television Licence
  • extra television services, if needed
  • phone services, if needed

You'll normally split these costs between everyone living in the house. Some landlords or letting agents might include some of these services in the cost of your rent. It's a good idea to ask about this when viewing a house and make sure you understand what you need to pay before you sign a contract. Some of these costs are included if you choose to live in University accommodation.

Learn more about the cost of living in Southampton.

Find private accommodation

We recommend students look for private accommodation on the SASSH website. This is the best way to find good quality private accommodation in Southampton. Landlords who list properties on SASSH agree to:  

  • A set of property standards to ensure that students live in good quality homes 
  • A code of management and practice 
  • Provide a full set of safety certificates for the property 

This scheme is run in partnership by the University of Southampton, Southampton Solent University and Southampton City Council.

Find a letting agent

Letting agents advertise properties on behalf of landlords. There are many letting agents in and around Southampton that provide accommodation to students.

Search for private rented accommodation online

You can use Rightmove's student accommodation search tool to find private rental listings. 

Other places you might find suitable accommodation include:  

Southampton University Students Union who have an advice centre and dedicated webpage offering housing support, as well as a Housemate Finder. 

SpareRoom and OpenRent have houses and rooms on offer from private property owners and agencies, with rooms starting at around £450 per month  

You may find availability in one of the private student accommodation halls in Southampton or Winchester. You can find links to most of the major accommodation providers here.  

Things to know before renting privately

Renting private accommodation gives you more freedom and independence, but it can also be a big commitment.

Before you sign a contract, it's a good idea to make sure that you know your rights as a tenant.

The Students’ Union Advice Centre provides free, independent and confidential guidance on renting a house in Southampton.