Unite Students, reviewed properly for 2026/27

Weekly rents for 2026/27 range from around £100 for a Classic room in cities like Newcastle and Sheffield to £280 or more for a Studio in London. The average across the portfolio is around £148, with all bills, Wi-Fi and maintenance included.

Newcastle and Sheffield are typically among the cheapest, with Classic rooms from around £110 to £112 per week for 2026/27. Liverpool, Coventry and Leeds also sit at the more budget-friendly end of the locations featured in this guide.

No traditional deposit is required. Unite removed deposits from its bookings, so you pay an advance rent payment when you book, which counts towards your rent rather than being held separately. Check your booking terms for the exact amount for your property.

Yes. Most contracts offer instalment plans timed around student loan payment dates, typically three instalments across the year, as well as monthly options on some contracts. Full payment upfront is also accepted.

Yes. Gas, electricity, water and Wi-Fi up to 1Gbps are all included in the weekly rent, with no usage caps for normal student use. The main regular extra is laundry, which is pay-per-use at around £15 to £20 per month.

Full-time students are exempt from council tax. You may need to provide a council tax exemption certificate from your university. Unite's on-site teams can help if the council contacts you in error.

No. Unite does not require a UK-based guarantor, a significant advantage for international students. You need to pass an affordability check, usually satisfied by a parent or sponsor based outside the UK.

As early as possible. Booking opens in autumn for the following academic year and Ensuite and Studio rooms sell out first in popular cities like London, Edinburgh and Bristol. The 7-day cooling-off period means booking early carries low risk.

Yes. You can book before results day. If your university place falls through due to grades or Clearing decisions, Unite will typically release you from the contract with supporting evidence at no cost.

Unite offers a cooling-off period, usually 7 days after booking, where you can cancel at no cost. After that, cancellation terms vary by property and circumstance, so read the specific policy for your booking before signing.

Most contracts run between 41 and 51 weeks, covering the full academic year including Christmas and Easter. You keep your room and belongings in place over the holidays. Shorter and summer-stay options are available at some properties.

Yes. Unite offers summer stays from a minimum of seven nights up to a full summer in participating properties across 21 UK cities. You may also be able to extend your current stay or arrive early for your next booking, subject to availability.

Yes. Unite offers flexible short-term and semester accommodation from seven nights to a full term across 22 UK cities. Bills, high-speed Wi-Fi, furnished rooms and 24/7 security and support are included, subject to property availability.

Yes. Both students nominate each other at booking and it works best when you book at the same time. It's not guaranteed. Without a flatmate in mind, cluster allocations are based on lifestyle preferences you complete during booking.

Yes, at selected properties. Dual occupancy is available in many Studio rooms for a small weekly supplement, letting two people share one studio. Both names go on the agreement. Check availability for your chosen building.

Every room comes furnished with a bed, mattress, desk, chair, wardrobe and storage. Shared or private kitchens include appliances. You bring your own bedding, kitchenware and towels, or buy a bedding and kitchen pack through Unite before arrival.

Yes. You can book in-person viewings at most properties, and Unite offers virtual tours and 360 room views online for every room type, which is useful if you are booking from another city or from abroad.

Yes. Basic contents cover is included with your rent through Unite's insurance partner. Check the policy summary for limits and consider topping up for high-value items like laptops, bikes and phones.

No, pets are not allowed at Unite properties, with the exception of registered assistance animals. If you rely on an assistance animal, contact the property team before booking so arrangements can be confirmed.

Yes, guests can stay. Some properties ask overnight guests to sign in at reception and have limits on length of stay. Check the house rules for your specific building if regular guests matter to you.

Unite has in-house maintenance teams at all properties. You log issues via the Unite app and urgent problems are typically handled same-day or next-day.

Sometimes. Unite will consider transfer requests, particularly for welfare or compatibility reasons, subject to availability within the property. Raise concerns with the on-site team early, when they have the most flexibility to help.

Broadly comparable to premium university-run accommodation and often similar to catered halls, with the advantage of consistent quality standards, a wider range of room types and everything included in one weekly price. Compare quotes for both in your city with our accommodation cost guide.