Help finding accommodation?

Homie – A new all-inclusive service that finds private accommodation to rent in Central London. They take care of the property search, schedule all viewings and even come and pick you up to transport you to and from your viewings!
*Students get 50% off

Student Living London – A property search agency that helps students relocate to London: from finding properties to negotiating contracts – help is there every step of the way.

Finding accommodation

There are a number of ways to find accommodation in and around the areas of Richmond and Kensington, such as:

• By word of mouth and through recommendations from other students who are moving back home, or to the Kensington campus
• Campus advertisements: Students wanting others to share with them will often put up notices; feel free to display an advert yourself!
• Local newspapers and newsagents – The Richmond & Twickenham Times and The Evening Standard provides details of agents and private landlords looking for tenants, and newsagents may have cards in their window offering accommodation or looking for people to share

Student accommodation providers

There are many student accommodation companies in London. Facilities are varied, but they offer an opportunity to live in accommodation with other international students around the city centre:

• Amro Vantage – Kingston provider
• Downing Students – The Lyra, and now the new Holbrook property in North Acton, offer contemporary student accommodation where you’ll enjoy plenty of space to both relax and study within modern, well-maintained and secure surroundings
• IQ Student Accommodation – Kingston provider
• International Students House (ISH) – The main facility is near Regents Park, but they offer accommodation throughout London. Richmond is a member of ISH, so please mention us when booking accommodation!
• Lee Abbey – a facility very close to our Kensington campus, it is also very affordable for the area
• Lightfoot Hall – quality student accommodation in one of the most desirable postcodes in London, SW3
• My Student Halls – hall search engine
• The Nido Collection – luxury accommodation in the heart of West Hampstead. Providing trendy facilities & a unique events programme all just 10 minutes from Bond Street.
• Pure Student Living – Hammersmith and central London providers of modern student studios
• The Student Housing Company – has two central London properties
• Unite Student Housing – Mostly clustered in Bloomsbury with easy access to libraries and academic facilities. Wellington Lodge on the South Bank provides easy access to Richmond from Waterloo Station.
• Yara Students – high quality student accommodation in Holland Park

RAIUL’s semesters start earlier than most UK Universities, and finish in early May– so be sure to check they can house you from your start date, and that your contract does not run too late into the summer (unless you plan to stay in London).

Searching for accommodation online

Online searches enable you to filter accommodation various criteria, including price, postcode, number of bedrooms, etc. Some of the most popular sites where Londoners look for flats or rooms to rent are:

• Accommodation for Students
• Craiglist London
• EasyRoommate
• Flatmate
• For Students
• Gumtree
• Kangaroom
• Loot
• RightMove
• Spareroom
• Spot A Home
• Zoopla

Please be aware that scam landlords can operate online, using legitimate sites to post fake ads to lure unsuspecting flat seekers into parting with their money to secure a flat. Our Guide to living off-campus provides more information on scams.