London Accommodation Guide

We totally get that finding somewhere to live in London might seem like a daunting task. However, with our Student Accommodation Guide, we’ve got all areas covered.

You’ll read about the best boroughs to look in, how to get to Fulham Broadway (where our college is based), how much you can expect to spend and what to do when it comes to dealing with agencies and house viewings.

We’ve got your back so you can find those perfect student digs and have the best start to life at BIMM Institute.  Plus, our friendly Student Support Team are here should you need any further accommodation advice, so don’t hesitate to get in touch.

As we don’t have our own Student Halls at BIMM London, we want to do our best to help you find accommodation that’s right for you!

Please find below suggested private halls of residence that are popular with BIMM London students:

For even more student halls accommodation options, these two websites will show you student halls options across London:

Please be aware that the agents listed below have not been visited or vetted in any way by BIMM London and you therefore should use them at your own risk.

Also be aware that Letting Agents may have additional fees for:

  • Drawing up contracts/Administration charge
  • Reference fees
  • Inventory fees

Ask what charges you will have to pay before you enter into an agreement with them. If you do have any concerns about the agency you are working with, contact the National Association of Estate Agents.

 

You could also find a number of existing house shares in London where you could join an established group of people. These can be found on the following websites:

Finding Housemates

Facebook is a good way to link up with people who are already at BIMM or who are starting at the same time as you. Some students set up groups prior to starting BIMM in order to find housemates. Using this facility is a great way to post in formation about yourself, the type of housing you are looking for and any rooms that you or others may know of, which are available for rent.

It’s the perfect place for students to acquaint themselves with their fellow course friends and find appropriate housemates. Look for group names such as “BIMM Freshers”.

bimm london music production, synths club

Our partner student lettings platform Hybr can support you finding a student property all year round.

Hybr is an award-winning platform that offers all types of housing (short-term & long-term tenancies, flat-shares, studios, and homes to live in with your friends.) They offer around-the-clock support for students, priding themselves on going above and beyond to make your first renting experience amazing.

How it works:

Step 1 – Check out HYBR homes on their website, WhatsApp +447537188333 or email [email protected] with your rental requirements or any questions around the houses you find on Hybr.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for then join our waiting list to be kept in the loop with new homes that we add each day!

Step 2 – Book an online or in-person viewing.

Step 3 – Get 24/7 customer support before and after your rental starts.

Step 4 – Move to your dream home and enjoy a great rental experience.

Call Hybr today: +447537188333

Unhappy in your tenancy? Hybr can help you get out of your tenancy (with your landlord’s permission!) Get in touch with the team if you want to find out more.

Below are some guidelines for the average price of accommodation in London.

Please note rents in London change frequently. For up to date information, visit London.gov.uk

These prices are also for 1-bed properties (first price) versus 4-bed properties (last price).

Wandsworth

£309 - 629
1 Bed to 4 Bed (PCM)

Clapham

£335 - 695
1 Bed to 4 Bed (PCM)

Hammersmith & Shepherds Bush

£320 - 720
1 Bed to 4 Bed (PCM)

Acton

£298 - 554
1 Bed to 4 Bed (PCM)

Putney & Southfields

£322 - 690
1 Bed to 4 Bed (PCM)

West Kensington

£329 - 665
1 Bed to 4 Bed (PCM)

West Kensington

£329 - 665
1 Bed to 4 Bed (PCM)

Fulham

£314 - 840
1 Bed to 4 Bed (PCM)

Council Tax and Insurance

As a full-time student, you are not liable to pay council tax if you are house sharing with other students. You will need a letter from us confirming your student status, which you should then send to your local council tax office.

Please request a student status letter at the start of the new academic year as per instructions given at enrolment. We can only issue student status letters once you have enrolled onto your course and the course has commenced.

  • We recommend viewing a property at least twice. You’ll be more likely to notice problems the second time around
  • Take someone with you or let someone else know exactly where you are when you visit a property, just to err on the side of caution
  • It’s also a good idea to visit the area at night. If you do this, please ensure you stick to the point above and take someone with you
  • Make sure you and all your other housemates view the property. Don’t take someone else’s word that the property is right for you
  • Compare a range of different landlords and properties
  • Take your time and don’t let landlords pressure you – there is a surplus of good properties in the area and you will find somewhere you like
  • When you go to view, take notes and photos and use our checklist to make sure you don’t miss anything.
  • Get informed – knowing your rights will help you view properties more critically and put you in a stronger negotiating position

Our Viewing Checklist

Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions – it’s a big decision.

  1. Does the place look well maintained?
  2. Will you be warm enough in winter?
  3. Will it be safe and secure?
  4. Does it have the space and facilities you
    need (i.e. washing machine, heating,
    fridge/freezer)?
  5. Are the current tenants happy with the landlord
  6. Is the property affordable and good value?
  7. Is the area suitable for your needs?

Student Advice

Why not hear from the students who have lived and breathed the process? Discover our Accommodation Top Tips Checklist by Ells Sivakumaran.


"Be mindful of the general arrangement of the property. Think about the proximity between communal areas and bedrooms; if you’re a light sleeper it’s probably best to be further away from louder areas or the front door. Consider where windows are placed and how many there are too. It’s important to have a lot of natural light, as not only is it nice, but you will spend less money on lighting: always a bonus!"
Ells Sivakumaran, Event Management Graduate

Rosa Trivett, Popular Music Performance student

"Every single borough of London is completely different and diversified and that’s what makes living here exciting. I love the speed of London and how advanced it is."
Rosa Trivett, Popular Music Performance

BIMM Institute London has a site at Barclay House, Effie Road, Fulham, SW6 1EN.

  • The nearest tube station is Fulham Broadway on the District Line. It is also walkable from West Brompton Overground station
  • The following bus stops are also very close to our college: 11, 14, 28, 211, 295, 391, 414 and 424
  • Please note there are no parking facilities available at Fulham

Many of our students live within a short walking distance or bus/tube commute from the college, but some travel from further afield; especially if they are already settled in London or the outskirts.

Remember that you will need to take into consideration the cost of travelling, and the time it will take to get into college.

We recommend the following areas; some of which are within walking distance or a short commute:

  • Clapham/Wandsworth
  • Hammersmith/Shepherds Bush
  • Acton/Ealing
  • Putney/Southfields
  • West Kensington
  • Fulham

We also strongly recommend that you apply for a Student Oyster card at the start of the new academic year to save 30% against the price of adult rate Travelcards and Bus & Tram passes.

Most landlords/agents will ask you to sign a tenancy agreement.

This is a legally binding document setting out each party’s rights and responsibilities. By signing it, both you and the landlord have certain rights protected in law, which can’t be overwritten by the contract. Before you sign, make sure you understand all the clauses, so there can be no nasty surprises after you’ve signed.

If asked to sign an agreement, it is likely to be an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement and will normally last for at least six months, after which the tenancy will run on a monthly basis. However, many tenancies run for a fixed term, i.e. July 1st 2020 to June 30th 2021. In this case, make sure that you are happy with the length of the contract as it is very unlikely that you will be able to end the tenancy early.

The terms of the agreement must be in plain, intelligible language and not be unfair. For example, the tenant should not be restricted from breaking a fixed term agreement if the landlord is not in the same way, nor should they be subject to unreasonable rent increases or held to unreasonable penalty clauses (for example, extortionate charges for late payment of rent).

Get a tenancy agreement checked first by an informed person, such as an advisor from the Citizens Advice Bureau. If the landlord/agent won’t let you take the contract away to get it checked first, think twice about signing it. Spend a little extra time in getting your contract checked out to save time, money and stress later in the year.

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  • Heating and hot water installation
  • Baths, sinks, basins and other sanitary installations
  • The structure of the exterior of the property
  • Repairs and safety of gas and electrical appliances
  • Ensuring that any furniture that he or she
    supplies meet fire resistant requirements

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  • Water and sewage charges
  • Utility bills – gas, electricity, telephone and internet connection (if any)
  • To take care of the property
  • Use the property in a responsible way
  • Pay the rent as agreed
  • Keep to the terms and conditions of the agreement

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The landlord or his agents have the right to access the property at reasonable times during the day to carry out repairs for which they are responsible for and inspect the condition of the property. 24 hours’ written notice to inspect the property must be given.

Arrangement for access to the property must be written into the contract. Tenants have the right to possess and enjoy the property during the tenancy without any interruption from the landlord. This clause does not limit any of the rights made under this agreement that the tenant has allowed the landlord/landlady to exercise. Neither does it prevent the landlord from taking lawful steps to enforce these rights if the tenant should break any of the terms of the agreement.

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Depending on your own personal consumption, you can expect to pay £1O – £15 per week for utility bills. Remember that if solely full-time students occupy a property then they are exempt from Council Tax

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The deposit is generally the equivalent of one month’s rent. Your landlord or agent must, under the 2004 Housing Act, protect your deposit within 14 days of receiving it as part of the Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme and provide you with certain information relating to this.

This scheme ensures that deposits paid to the landlords are kept safe and that tenants gets their deposits back at the end of the tenancy, so long as there hasn’t been a breach of the tenancy agreement, such as unpaid rent. Remember that the money held as a deposit remains yours at all times and not the landlords, and only by mutual agreement should any money be deducted.

Your deposit, or part of it, will be withheld if you:

  • Fail to return ALL keys at the end of the tenancy
  • Are responsible for any damage to the property, either willful or negligent
  • Have left rubbish which needs removing from the property

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No, because to do so would be a breach of your contract. It is important that rent and deposits are separate.

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A guarantor is someone who signs an agreement to pay for any rent or damages if the tenant fails to pay up. The guarantor will most likely be a parent or guardian.

Some landlords ask for a guarantor but not all do. So, there are still plenty of properties to choose from if you don’t have someone who will be a guarantor for you – you’ll just need to look around.

A guarantor is taking on quite a large responsibility, particularly if you are signing a joint contract. For example, if your housemate hasn’t paid their rent, your guarantor could be made to pay.

Do not sign a contract that requires a guarantor form until you and your guarantors have read the form and agreed to sign. If you have already signed a contract, but a guarantor refuses to sign, you might not get the keys to the property. A good landlord will give you copies of the forms and time to check them through.

Ask the landlord to accept a limited guarantee from your guarantor e.g. just covering your rent/damages. Tell your guarantor not to give too much personal information on the form e.g. Nl number, bank details or passport details should not
be necessary.

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It may be possible for you to come to an arrangement for the early return of the deposit, but the landlord/agent will obviously want to inspect the house and check all rent is paid.

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No, not if the bills are in the name of the tenants – the utility companies will chase the named persons and not the landlord/agent. Your deposit will be protected as part of the Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme and therefore cannot be used by the landlord or agent.

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Any Questions?

For any questions regarding student accommodation or if you’d like more information on how to apply to BIMM Institute London, please contact our Admissions Team on 0344 2 646 666 or email [email protected].

 

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