Tips on Accommodation for Students
Accommodation for students is one of the biggest challenges faced across the country. Whether you are studying at Wits, UCT, UKZN, Stellenbosch, IIE MSA, Varsity College or somewhere else, finding a safe, convenient and affordable place to live can be overwhelming. Between tight budgets and rising rental costs, the process isn’t always straightforward.
The journey will be a tough one, but here are some practical tips on how to find affordable accommodation for students near campus.
Use University Resources
Most universities have a housing office that can help point you in the right direction. There is the option of on campus accommodation. This might be your first choice since it is on campus and the rent is likely inclusive and you know if will meet your base needs as a student.
As it happens however, on campus accommodation is typically the first to sell out. In that case then ask the university to point you in the direction of other alternatives that they would recommend. Universities often partner with landlords or accommodation institutions that provide reliable and affordable housing options.
Private Accommodation for Students
If you are interested in or have no choice but to go with private accommodation the search can be quite a bit more daunting than going the university accommodation route.
The first place most people start would be searching accommodation for students near ‘campus name.’ Remember that accommodation close to campus is prime location and so might be a little pricier than places that are further away. A good idea is to look at the campus shuttle stops. The stops in residential areas indicate places where there is a decent student community, and alternative areas where student accommodation might be available.
If you are looking online look at house names like CampusKey, Growth Point, Rise Student Living ad DigsConnect. These are well known brands in the country and so are a reliable starting point.
If the big names don’t have accommodation in your area of interest, then you might want to look at Private Property, Gumtree and Property24 for alternatives. When doing that be careful to avoid getting scammed. If you are going to a private institution like IIE MSA or Varsity college then search for accommodation near these places and smaller companies like KCI will likely pop up, which might serve as an avenue to investigate.
If the search for student accommodation is proving to be futile then consider renting an apartment or a flat. If you go this route, it is worth considering renting with a friend so that you can split the cost of rent to make it more affordable.
What to Consider
Before signing any lease or committing to a place, there are several key factors you need to assess beyond just monthly rent. These include transport access, the risk of scams, hidden costs, safety measures, and lease terms. Overlooking any one of these could lead to unnecessary financial strain or an uncomfortable living experience. Think practically—this is about affordability, reliability, and peace of mind.
Read More: Affordable Student Accommodation Near IIE MSA
Location vs cost trade-off
Places further away from campus may be cheaper and so might be a good option. However, when considering such places make sure to investigate access to transport whether it be the campus shuttle, taxis or buses. If you have a car then make sure to consider the availability of parking, the cost that comes with having a parking spot and if it is safe to park your car in that area.
Also think about the distance. Having access to transport is all good and well but if your commute is an hour everyday it might not be worth it given the time spent travelling and the potential cost of either the fare or petrol. Not to mention you need to take into consideration traffic. Some days your commute might be longer than others and depending on the time of your classes this might not always work in your favour.
Watch out for scams
There are some red flags to be aware of when you are on the hunt for somewhere to stay. If the place demands a deposit before viewing or if viewing is not allowed, then avoid going there. If the price seems too good to be true, then it probably is, so exercise caution. If the place only uses unofficial channels to request payment like Facebook, the do not trust them. Finally, if there is no written lease agreement then do not pay them a cent.
Hidden costs
Some places might have cheap rent which is great but make sure you understand if there are any hidden costs. Cheap rent might mean that the rent does not include utilities like water, electricity and internet access.
These will be things that you will need to fit into your budget. You will also find that rent for an unfurnished place is cheaper than rent for a fully or partially furnished place. Consider the cost of furnishing the unit whether that means transporting stuff from hoe or buying new items these are costs that can add up.
The same can be said about accommodation for students. Affordable accommodation will be transparent about the cost of the deposit, the admin costs and the maintenance policies.
Safety
The one thing you should not compromise on is safety. Make sure that the place you choose to stay has secure access points and security. If you have a car, make sure that the parking is also secure. If you can, try and visit the place you want to stay at night. See what the lighting looks like, what the noise levels are like and what the security looks like as well.
Understand your lease
Before you sign anything make sure you understand your lease. Ask questions to get clarification where you need to. You want to know about the rental amount and what it covers. The deposit amount, and if it will be refunded and under what conditions it will be refunded. Most importantly you want to fully understand the rules of the lease, the conditions around lease termination from both the tenant’s side and the landlord’s side. And what if any restrictions exist around having guests.
Pro tips to implement
It’s easy to get caught up in online listings or marketing material, but the lived experience of student housing can be very different from what’s advertised. This is where real-world insight becomes useful.
Beyond comparing rent and location, you’ll want to understand noise levels, water and electricity reliability, landlord responsiveness, and Wi-Fi quality—none of which you’ll find in a brochure.
Ask current students
Students know everything. They know their best places to live and the worst. Ask them about the pros and cons of different areas and different types of accommodation. If you are indecisive or you haven’t found a pace that you quite like then go for the second-best option and sign up for one semester, you can use the semester to do more research and ask around about where a good place to live is.
Start early
Like I said at the beginning, accommodation for students sells out quickly. Do not leave the search for the last minute because you will find that your options are very limited. Start looking about 4 months in advance. Go view about a month in advance and if you are happy pay the deposit to save your space.
Functionality over form
Luxury finishes and new buildings are nice-to-haves that drive up costs. If you have a very strict budget, then you should prioritise function over flashiness. You should look for a place with simple clean furniture, that is conducive to studying, safe and with a reliable internet connection. The internet connection becomes especially important if your degree is partially or fully online or if it is research intensive.
The quick list of all the things you need to thInk about
- Know your budget
- Search early
- Use trusted sites
- View before paying
- Understand your lease
- Ask clarifying questions
Final Thoughts
Finding affordable accommodation for students is undoubtedly a challenge but if you budget carefully and give yourself enough time to look around, it can be done. Make sure you consider your options carefully and know where you are willing to compromise and where you aren’t.
It’s tough but doable, you got this!
