Finding Your Own Accommodation
Making your own arrangements
Some students prefer to find their own accommodation in Bristol. It is really important when arranging your own accommodation to check what is included. Please read all the advice down below the Useful Contacts information. We also recommend you read the pros and cons of living in your own accommodation.
Pros:
- You can come and go when you want, and not have to worry about letting a host family know that you are going to be late.
- You have the independence and freedom to decide what you want to eat, and can choose your own mealtimes.
- You can decide when and for how long the heating is turned on.
- You can do the cleaning as and when you choose. Or even pay for a cleaner!
- There will be no school rules to follow.
- You can normally invite as many guests to your accommodation, as late as you like and for as long as you like.
Cons:
- Most privately organised accommodation has a minimum rental of 6 months.
- There will be extra bills to pay other than your rent. Gas, Electricity, Water, Council Tax and Internet are unlikely to be included in your rent.
- If you choose an ‘unfurnished’ accommodation you will have to buy furniture for the accommodation.
- If you have a TV you will also need to buy a TV licence.
- You will miss out on speaking with native English speakers in a homestay.
- It could be quite lonely. The larger residences have lots of students from all over the world living there, so they are a sociable place to live.
Useful contacts
*Please note that ELC has no formal arrangements with any companies/sites listed on our website, so you must be careful as we are not responsible for the quality of the accommodation or the service provided. Please see below a list of agencies and useful contacts which may help you.
Websites (see below) and newspapers often offer slightly cheaper student accommodation in shared houses and apartments. Agencies usually offer more expensive, higher quality accommodation, often suitable for families or couples. Contracts are usually for a minimum period of six months or more.
A really good and comprehensive accommodation website is Right Move.
You need to select the area (e.g. Clifton) and how far you are prepared to live (e.g. within 1 mile), how many bedrooms you want and the price maximum you are prepared to pay. Always check that the property is fully furnished.
Spareroom.com has also been used successfully by many of our students in the past.
We also recommend HYBR, an online marketplace for student accommodation that connects students directly with landlords/ladies who have been checked and approved by the Hybr team. You can contact Hybr at hello@hybr.co.uk
Family or Couple Accommodation
For families who wish to join our English for Families course, or for couples looking to find their own accommodation, we recommend the following:
Airbnb , spareroom.co.uk , HYBR , Clifton Short Lets , or Your Apartment.
Agencies with a Discount
Students of ELC Bristol can use a discount code for Clifton Short Lets : ELCBRIS. Please put this code into the 'promotion code' box on the booking page to receive a 10% discount on your booking.
Clifton Short Lets are an option if you need somewhere to stay for more than a few days. Rooms are about 5-10 minutes walk from both the school and the city centre.
Student Accommodation Websites and Estate Agencies
Please note that ELC has no formal arrangements with any companies/sites listed on our website, so you must be careful as we are not responsible for the quality of the accommodation or the service provided.
- Spareroom.com - Rooms in shared houses and flats around the city
- Hybr - Rooms in shared houses and flats around the city - landlords/ladies all checked and approved by the Hybr team
- Really Lovely Rooms - Rooms in shared houses and flats around the city (you must be over 21)
- Unite Students - many Bristol locations
- Bristol Student Lets - rooms mostly in Clifton
- Bristol SU Lettings - Student accommodation throughout the city
- IQ Student Accommodation - Central location
- Flare - Shared houses and flats across the city, often sharing with university students
- CRM Students - 2 Bristol locations
- Collegiate - Student accommodation near the city centre
- The University of Bristol - The University of Bristol accommodation page
Agency | Address | Telephone No. | Website |
---|---|---|---|
Andrews | 158 Whiteladies Road, BS8 2XZ | +44 (0)117 9732551 | https://www.andrewsonline.co.uk/ |
Clifton Short Lets | 5 Westbourne Place, BS8 1RZ | +44 (0)117 9237947 | https://cliftonshortlets.com/ |
DIGS | Triangle South, BS8 1EY | +44 (0)117 9308750 | http://www.bristoldigs.co.uk/ |
Flatline | 182 Whiteladies Road, BS8 2XU | +44 (0)117 9732004 | http://www.flatlineonline.co.uk/ |
Romans | 21 Princess Victoria Street, BS8 4BX | +44 (0)117 9706119 | http://www.romans.co.uk/rent/ |
- http://visitbristol.co.uk/accommodation
The accommodation section of the official tourist guide to Bristol.
- http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/property
Bristol Post's accommodation website - the newsaper advertises properties on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but you can check their website anytime.
- http://www.gumtree.com/
Gumtree is a website where people advertise all sorts of things. There is a section for Property, you can then choose Rent or Share (or Sale, i.e. buy), and set the location range - if you set the location to Bristol BS8, it will show properties in and around the Clifton area where the school is located.
- https://www.airbnb.co.uk/
Airbnb is a website where people advertise rooms to rent in their house, or their whole apartment. In the section where do you want to go? enter Bristol BS8 - this is the Clifton area where the school is located.
These are a great option for people who like the service expected from a top class hotel but prefer the comforts of a home and want to be able to cook for themselves whenever they choose.
Prices vary but we suggest that you say you are a student, or visiting a student, at the English Language Centre Bristol - if you are lucky, you might get a special price!
- https://www.portlandbrown.com/map/bristol/all
(NB: These have a minimum stay of 1 month.)
- http://www.berkeleyapartments.co.uk/
Luxury serviced apartments and are therefore a bit more expensive.
Bills
If you make your own arrangements, it is most likely that bills will not be included with your rent - so you will have to pay these bills and your rent. You normally get bills every month or every 3 months.
Council tax
Always check with the landlord how much Council Tax you must pay - it is sometimes a shock! You can find more information about Council Tax below.
TV Licence
If you are living in private accommodation and have a television, then you will need to buy a television licence; for more information click the button below. The cost per year is £154.50 in 2019 which can be paid in full or over several months. Payment can be made by direct debit here, by cheque or in cash at any local pay point. TV licensing in the UK is strict and if you don’t have a licence you could be fined a maximum of £1,000.
Other bills
- Gas / Electricity
- Internet / Telephone provision
- Any parking permits you may require
- Etc…
Deposits, fees and rent
Please also remember when you rent your own apartment/house, you will have to pay a deposit and probably also agency fees.
You will also have to pay the rent in advance. Make sure you find out how much it is before you sign a contract. Remember that contracts are legal documents. Be careful. Check everything before you sign. Of course, you can ask the school for advice.
Furnishings and equipment
It is also important to check whether the accommodation is furnished, and whether other equipment is provided or you will need to bring/use your own; for example:
- Furniture
- Furnished means that furniture (such as bed, drawers, etc.) is included
Unfurnished is without any furniture - White goods (i.e. appliances such as a washing-machine, etc.)
Semi-furnished means that white goods will be provided, but other furniture will not be – you will need to check what is and what is not included to be sure! - Cutlery (knives, forks, spoons)
- Crockery (cups, plates, dishes etc)
- Cooking equipment (such as pots and pans)
- Bedding
- Towels
- Etc…
Scams and dishonest landlords/ladies
If you are searching for accommodation independently, please be careful. Some property owners may be dishonest. They might try to ‘steal’ your money.
Never give out any bank details, or send money before you have viewed the property and signed a contract. Even if the person seems nice, or genuine and tells you this is normal – it is not!
Do not sign a contract if you are unsure of anything written in it or you are worried about anything it says. You can bring your copy into school and ask one of the office staff or your teachers for advice.