Early searching dominated
More than three quarters of respondents said they begin looking at least six months in advance, making this the clear leading answer.
How far in advance do you start looking for student accommodation?
Starting early was by far the most common answer. 78% of respondents said they begin looking for student accommodation more than six months in advance.
78%
Most respondents start looking more than six months ahead
Fourteen of the 18 respondents said they start searching for student accommodation at least six months before they need it.
How did students answer?
Respondents selected one option from four. Percentages are calculated from 18 responses and rounded to whole numbers, so displayed percentages total 101%.
-
6+ months before14 responses78%
-
I left it to the last minute2 responses11%
-
3–6 months before1 response6%
-
1–3 months before1 response6%
Base: 18 responses, raw counts shown
Collected through Unifresher Instagram Stories · 7 August 2026
What does this result suggest?
Within this small indicative sample, most respondents began their accommodation search well before the point of moving, with only a minority leaving it until close to the deadline.
Last-minute searching was less common
Two respondents, or 11%, said they left their search to the last minute. Just one respondent selected each of the one-to-three-month and three-to-six-month options.
83%
Most started at least three months before
Fifteen of 18 respondents selected either six or more months before or three to six months before. This is an editorial calculation combining two poll options, not a separate question.
How was this poll collected?
This was a quick audience poll designed to provide an indicative view from respondents reached through Unifresher.
- Exact question
- How far in advance do you start looking for student accommodation?
- Answer options
- 6+ months before, 3–6 months before, 1–3 months before, I left it to the last minute
- Responses
- 18 total responses. Raw counts are shown alongside every percentage.
- Fieldwork date
- Friday 7 August 2026
- Audience
- People who viewed and responded to the poll through the Unifresher Instagram audience.
- Collection method
- Unifresher Instagram Stories. Respondents selected one of four fixed answer options.
- Calculation
- Percentages were calculated directly from the supplied raw response totals and rounded to whole numbers. No weighting or adjustment was applied. Because of rounding, the displayed percentages total 101%.
- Verification
- The four supplied response counts were checked against the stated total of 18 responses before publication.
- Representation
- Indicative audience poll. The result reflects respondents to this Unifresher poll and is not statistically representative of all UK university students.
- Editorial independence
- No commercial partner directed or influenced the question, answer options, analysis or interpretation shown on this page.
Reviewed by Connor Steele. Data totals, calculations, methodology wording and editorial interpretation reviewed for Unifresher on 8 August 2026.
Read the full Unifresher research methodologyCite this poll
Keep the sample size, fieldwork date and indicative poll description with the finding.
78% of respondents said they start looking for student accommodation six or more months in advance. Source: Unifresher Student Accommodation Search Timing Poll, 2026. 18 responses via Instagram Stories, collected 7 August 2026. Indicative poll. unifresher.co.uk/data-hub
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