The essential guide to living off-campus

Finding a place to live that is right for you can be overwhelming. Between choosing from so many options and organising flat viewings, it can be easy to procrastinate house hunting. 

To help you choose the best type of accommodation off-campus for your lifestyle, we've broken it down. 

Student-Only Accommodation: For the 'Stress Free High Life' 🪴

There are several student-only accommodation buildings in the city centre that are similar to halls, purposefully built for students only. If you enjoy the benefits of student halls but fancy a change of scenery (and with friends), this could be ideal for you.

One big benefit is that you can secure private student-only accommodation without having to view the properties first. University life can always get busy throughout the year, so it can be hard to book a lot of viewings in your downtime – this makes it a lot easier. 

• Stress-free budgeting: Usually, with student-only accommodations, your rent will be all-inclusive – meaning heating, Wi-Fi, and electricity are covered in one payment – so no more arguing with flatmates about who left the heating on this time!
• Lifestyle: Most offer perks you won't find in a regular flat, such as on-site gyms and study lounges.
• Where to look: City Room Rentals, CRM students, IQ Accommodations and others. 

If you're unsure about anything when signing a contract, you can contact the Heriot-Watt Advice Hub - they provide free contract checking services and can potentially spot "hidden" clauses before you sign.

Private Rented Accommodation: For the 'Independent Spirit' ✨

This would be your classic flat or shared house, where you'll be dealing with a private landlord or a letting agency. We can't arrange private accommodation on your behalf, but we can point you in the right direction to look/secure your spot. 

Here's some things to take into account:

• The cost: Room prices usually range from £500 to £700 per month, which looks cheaper upfront; however, they generally don't include bills, so make sure you budget for these in addition to your rent.
• The responsibility: You are the manager of your own home. You'll need to set up accounts for Wi-Fi and electricity.
• Where to look: Websites like Studentpad and agencies like LettingWeb and CityLets are very reliable sources for finding private rented accommodation/rooms. Want to look elsewhere? We also have a list of other private housing sites to help. 
• Best places to stay: The best places to stay are on the west of the city, in areas such as Haymarket, Dalry, Gorgie and Chesser. You can see the full map in the Accommodation Guide. 
• Finding a flatmate: You can search 'find a flatmate-Heriot-Watt Edinburgh' on Facebook and join the group, or another great option is searching on Spareroom.

For any more questions about living off campus, you can contact the accommodation office - halls@hw.ac.uk