Fresh Student Living:
the complete guide
for 2026/27
The UK's most award-winning PBSA operator. Fresh has won Best Private Housing (UK & Ireland) at the Global Student Living Awards three years running and holds 125+ industry accolades. Known for the Be Wellbeing programme, a 24/7 Health Assured helpline and genuine welfare infrastructure at every property.
What's included in your rent
Before comparing prices, understand exactly what you're paying for. Fresh includes bills, contents insurance and a welfare infrastructure that goes beyond what most PBSA providers offer. The Be Wellbeing Programme and Health Assured helpline are included at every property.
- ⚡All billsHot water, electricity and Wi-Fi included at all Fresh properties. No accounts to set up.
- 📶Contents insuranceIncluded as standard with every Fresh tenancy. No need to arrange a separate policy.
- 🔒24/7 on-site teamResidents teams on-site at every Fresh property. 24-hour security, CCTV and secure access control as standard.
- 🔧Be Wellbeing ProgrammeAward-winning weekly events at every property: social nights, cultural celebrations, running clubs, crafting, book clubs and more. Mental Health First Aid-trained staff included.
- 🏠Communal spacesSocial lounges, study rooms and shared spaces at all properties. Gyms, cinemas, games rooms and roof terraces at many (check your specific property).
- 🧠Health Assured helplineFree 24/7 Student Assistance Programme (SAP) counselling and support helpline for all Fresh residents. Included at no extra cost.
- 🏋️Gym accessOn-site gym at many Fresh properties. Spring Mews London includes a swimming pool. Check your specific building.
- 🎙️Podcasting studiosAvailable at selected Fresh properties. Check if your chosen building includes one.
- 👕LaundryPay-per-use on-site at most properties. Budget £15–20/month on top of your weekly rent.
- 🚗ParkingVery limited and charged separately at the few Fresh properties where it is available.
Worth knowing: Fresh accepts international guarantors (over 18, not residing in a Fresh property), or you can pay the full year upfront without any guarantor. This is significantly more flexible than Yugo, which requires a UK guarantor for instalments, and Roost, which requires a guarantor for all bookings. See our accommodation cost guide for full cost comparisons.
City price guide 2026/27
Fresh operates across the UK and Ireland. Properties vary significantly in facilities — always check the specific building. Filter by region to see Fresh properties near your university.
| City | Fresh properties | Weekly range | Relative price | Budget indicator |
|---|
Room types: what you actually get
Fresh primarily offers ensuite and studio rooms, with shared apartments available at some properties for group bookings. Here's how to choose.
Use the tabs below to explore each room type. Always check live pricing and specific facilities on the Fresh website for your chosen property.
Classic Ensuite
Premium Ensuite
Studio
Shared Apartment
Is Fresh the right choice for you?
Three quick questions. A personalised steer on whether Fresh is the right fit for your situation.
Find your best fit
Select one answer per row and we'll give you a tailored steer.
When to book
Fresh properties in popular cities fill at different speeds depending on the specific building. Flagship properties like Calico Liverpool and The Refinery Leeds fill early. Here's where 2026/27 availability stands.
The honest picture
Fresh is the most award-recognised PBSA operator in the UK. Here's what makes it genuinely distinctive and the practical realities before you book.
- The most award-recognised operator in UK PBSA. 125+ industry awards and certifications. Best Private Housing (UK & Ireland) at the Global Student Living Awards three years running. This isn't marketing — it reflects consistently high management standards.
- Be Wellbeing Programme. Award-winning weekly events programme at every property: pizza nights, cultural celebrations, running clubs, crafting, book clubs, pet therapy and more. Mental Health First Aid-trained staff at all buildings. This is their defining differentiator.
- Health Assured 24/7 helpline. Free counselling and support helpline included for all Fresh residents. Immediate, confidential support whenever it's needed. All Fresh properties are also registered Safe Space Alliance members.
- International-friendly guarantor policy. Guarantors do not need to be UK-based at most Fresh properties (just over 18, not in a Fresh property). Alternatively, pay the full year upfront with no guarantor required at all.
- Contents insurance included. Included with every Fresh tenancy as standard. No separate policy needed. Combined with bills and Wi-Fi, Fresh's all-in model is genuinely comprehensive.
- Facilities vary significantly between properties. Spring Mews London has a swimming pool. The Refinery Leeds has a cinema and roof terrace. Radford Mill Nottingham has a gym and courtyard. Others are more standard. Always check the specific building page for what's actually on-site, not the brand overview.
- Smaller city coverage than the largest providers. Fresh has 15+ UK cities vs Unite's 27 or CRM's 29. Check whether Fresh has a property in your university city before going further.
- Laundry is pay-per-use. Not included in rent. On-site machines at most properties. Budget £15–20/month on top of your weekly figure.
- Tenancy deposit required. Fresh does use a standard tenancy deposit at most properties (unlike Yugo's Advance Rent Payment model). You'll get it back at the end of the tenancy provided there's no damage.
- First rent payment due early August. Fresh's first instalment is typically due at the beginning of August, ahead of the September move-in. Plan your finances accordingly so you're not caught out before term starts.
Things to check before you sign
Practical details specific to Fresh that differ from other providers, plus things that matter when evaluating the Be Wellbeing programme and facilities claims.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Be Wellbeing Programme and is it actually good?+
Be Wellbeing is Fresh's award-winning resident events and welfare programme, running weekly events at every property throughout the academic year. Events include pizza nights, quizzes, cultural celebrations, running clubs, crafting sessions, book clubs and one-off experiences. All Fresh properties have Mental Health First Aid-trained staff, and the programme includes access to the Health Assured 24/7 counselling helpline. It's genuinely consistent across the portfolio — not just a freshers' week promotional activity. The programme has won multiple industry awards including nominations for Mental Health and Wellbeing Initiative of the Year.
Do I need a UK guarantor to book with Fresh?+
No. Fresh has a notably flexible guarantor policy. If you use a guarantor, they don't need to be UK-based at most properties — they just need to be over 18 and not currently living in a Fresh property. Alternatively, you can skip the guarantor entirely by paying your full annual rent upfront. This makes Fresh significantly more accessible than providers like Yugo, which requires a UK-based guarantor for instalment payments. Always check the specific booking terms for your chosen property as criteria can vary.
Can I cancel if I don't get my grades or my plans change?+
Fresh will consider cancellation requests where a university place falls through due to grades, Clearing decisions or other qualifying circumstances. Contact the Fresh property team as early as possible. Outside of qualifying circumstances, you remain liable for rent until a replacement tenant is found. Always read the specific cancellation terms for your property before signing.
Can I choose my flatmates at Fresh?+
Yes. Fresh supports group bookings at properties with shared apartments. Contact the Residents Team to organise this — it works best when everyone books at the same time and requests the same flat. If you don't have specific flatmate preferences, Fresh's team allocates clusters based on information you provide during the booking process.
Is Fresh good for international students?+
Yes. Fresh's international guarantor policy (no UK residency requirement at most properties) removes a key barrier international students face at other providers. The Be Wellbeing programme's cultural celebrations and diverse community events also create an inclusive environment for students from overseas. The Health Assured helpline can be accessed at any hour for pastoral support, which is particularly valuable for international students navigating a new city. See our international students guide for more.
How does Fresh pricing compare to university halls?+
Fresh is generally priced comparably to premium university halls or slightly above standard self-catered options, but with significantly more included (contents insurance, wellbeing programme, 24/7 helpline). In cities like Chester, Sheffield and Swansea, Fresh can be very competitive. In London, prices are higher but the management quality and facilities at properties like Spring Mews are consistently well-rated. Use our accommodation cost guide to compare.
What happens if something in my room needs fixing?+
Fresh has in-house Residents Teams at all properties. Log maintenance issues directly with your team — urgent repairs are typically handled promptly. Fresh's high award record for customer service and management reflects consistent feedback on responsiveness. You can also use Fresh's resident app once your agreement is countersigned.
What parents want to know about Fresh Student Living
If your son or daughter is considering Fresh, here's what matters most. Fresh's welfare model is the most developed in UK PBSA — and as a parent, the Be Wellbeing Programme and Health Assured helpline are worth understanding.
Common parent questions
Can I pay my child's rent directly to Fresh?+
Yes. Parents and guardians can pay on behalf of the student. Note that Fresh typically requires the first instalment and tenancy deposit at the beginning of August, ahead of the September move-in. This earlier timeline catches many families off guard — plan finances accordingly.
What happens if my child needs to leave mid-contract?+
Fresh will consider release requests for welfare concerns, medical needs or qualifying changes in university circumstances. Fresh's welfare infrastructure means concerns are often identified and addressed early. Contact the Residents Team immediately if your child is struggling.
Can I contact the property directly if I'm worried about my child?+
Fresh's Residents Teams can be contacted by phone. Due to GDPR, they cannot share details without your child's consent. In urgent situations, the Health Assured 24/7 helpline is available immediately and independently. Encourage your child to let the team know they're happy for you to be contacted.
What is Fresh's policy on conduct and guest stays?+
Fresh has a community standards policy covering noise, conduct and communal area behaviour. Guest and overnight stay policies vary by property. Fresh's welfare-first culture means issues are typically handled constructively, with the wellbeing of all residents in mind.
Is the accommodation safe for first-year students living away from home for the first time?+
Unite is specifically designed for students at all stages, including those living away from home for the first time. The combination of 24/7 on-site staff, a built-in community of other students in the same situation, and welfare support makes it one of the more structured environments a young person can move into. Many parents find the all-in-one setup reassuring compared to arranging a private rental independently.
How do I help my child choose the right Fresh property?+
The most important step is researching the specific building rather than booking on brand name alone. Quality varies across Unite's 170+ properties. We recommend looking at recent student reviews on Google and Trustpilot for the exact building address, checking the commute time to campus, and comparing room types and pricing through our accommodation cost guide. Ensuite rooms in newer properties consistently get the strongest feedback.
Browse Fresh's properties across the UK and Ireland for 2026/27. 125+ awards and the Be Wellbeing Programme at every building.
Other PBSA providers worth looking at
See how Fresh compares against other major providers before making your decision.