Booking Student
Accommodation in London in post-Covid UK
Understanding
the Benefits of Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) in London
When
it comes to finding a place to live as a student in London, there are many
choices. While some international students may decide to live with a host
family or roommates, you may find that
PBSA is the best fit for you. Why? These
clean and modern buildings offer students a high quality living experience
and great flexibility when it comes to booking.
One such PBSA is the Londonist, which has an
impressive array of 2
locations across London and represented around
the world. So there will always be someone in your time zone who can help you
(and the speakers of your language too!).
Get information from one of London's top-rated
student accommodation providers by filling
out our quick form below, and keep reading to find out what you need to
consider when research and book accommodation in London.
Since Covid-19, what has changed when it comes
to booking student accommodation in London?
Although much has changed since the pandemic,
one thing that has not changed is that international students coming to London
are looking for comfortable accommodation and a memorable study abroad
experience. With a room at a location in London, you're sure to have a pleasant
student lifestyle and stay in a place specifically designed for students. This
means that not only are buildings designed to meet your needs, but so are their
policies.
For example, you don't need to lock yourself
into a lengthy contract, which may be typical with a private landlord or rental
agent. Instead, you have complete freedom and flexibility in booking your
student accommodation - you can book as
little as two weeks in advance and just extend it if needed. This type of
flexible booking policy is extremely beneficial for international students when
managing their accommodation arrangements during Covid-19.
At Viva-Mundo, we know that some international
students have reduced their budgets for next year, so finding affordable and
safe accommodation in London has become more difficult for them. Luckily, there
are plenty of solutions if you know where to look!
If you are looking for affordable
accommodation options in post-pandemic London, you should definitely consider a
PBSA such as Londoners. The total cost of living in a purpose-built student
hostel can often be cheaper than living in a shared apartment and is certainly
more affordable than renting alone. Plus, all of your bills are included, which
is more cost-effective and simply easier (more on that later!).
What
to expect from student accommodation providers in London?
If
you are looking for accommodation, apartments or condominiums in London, it
will be difficult to find accommodation that meets all your desires: high
quality, affordable, safe, secure, clean - you can have a long list! The
reality is that finding a place can become a lengthy and confusing process.
Want to make it easier? This is where PBSA makes a comeback!
The best student accommodation in London
offers plenty of room, plenty of amenities and a cool student vibe to every
Instagram moment.
Wondering what it looks like? Check out the
list on Londonist and you'll quickly realize how luxurious living in London is,
even on a student budget!
What else should you keep in mind when
researching and booking accommodation in London?
Affordability
Sharing a double room or apartment in a
purpose-built student hostel with another international student can be a great
option for you if you want value best for the
money. You may already have someone you want to share with, or if you
don't, you can often specify certain preferences (such as gender or smoking
habits) when booking student accommodation to help you find be half fit.
If you are looking for modern student
accommodation in London, be sure to fill out this form to get you started. Room Features
Rooms with en suite bathrooms are a definite
plus and are standard in all rooms in London. It's important to keep in mind
that if you share a house or apartment with more than one person, you'll also
be using the same bathroom! This can be inconvenient when you all have to get
ready for class in the morning, or if you want to enjoy a long hot shower at
the end of the day but your roommate has to use the bathroom. A little privacy
with a bathroom can go a long way!
On-Site Facility Features
No matter what accommodation you
book in London, high-speed Wi-Fi is probably one of the most important “must
haves”. In an individual apartment or a shared apartment, the Internet
connection can be different, while in a building specially built for student
life, the speed is guaranteed every day, all day.
The next thing you'll want to look for is an
all-inclusive payment policy. This saves you from having to find individual
service providers for things like water, gas, electricity, internet, and more.
And you won't have to worry about meter readings and monthly payments to
various companies. Additionally, if you live in an LNPP, each person
automatically pays their own bills. It sounds obvious, but we've heard so many
stories of college students struggling to pay their rent and utility bills on
time because their roommates were unreliable! You can solve those problems
yourself by choosing to live in a more independent environment such as
Londoners.
Another great benefit of purpose-built student
accommodation is that modern amenities are included free of charge, such as
on-site gyms, social areas, cinemas, etc. movie screenings and quiet study
areas. From coffee shops to karaoke rooms, check out this amazing virtual tour
and you'll see what we mean!
And of course, safety and security are
essential. For example, Londonist buildings are designed with all the right
features such as CCTV, keycard access, 2
/7 security staff and maintenance
crews to ensure everything runs smoothly. Each building has also been updated
to follow Covid-19 precautions, including social distancing, hand sanitizer
stations, and enhanced cleaning procedures. With Londonist, you can also get
your room cleaned on a regular basis, giving you peace of mind and more free
time to enjoy your student life in London!
Independence, Privacy and Social Life
Purpose-built Student Housing (PBSA) is truly
considered the best of both worlds because you have all the modern conveniences
and spacious and you still have your own space and privacy in your own room. So
when you want to socialize, you can easily find new friends in the common
areas, and when you need "me time", you can always find a quiet,
private corner somewhere in the building. Home, or you can retreat to your
room.
One of the benefits of studying in London is that
you get to meet local and international students from a variety of cultures and
backgrounds. If you choose to live with a few others, your social circle may be
a bit small. However, at PBSA, there will be a lot of new friends to exchange,
study, or even make friends for future internship or work opportunities. In
addition, you will have the opportunity to practice your English with native
students or other non-native speakers.
Finding the Perfect Location in London
As you can imagine, London is a big city and
while you'll want to see it all, you'll also want to find accommodation
relatively close to your university. Londonist can help you choose from nearly
25 different options across the city, so you're sure to find the right one for
you. And whichever way you choose, you're guaranteed easy access to popular
tourist attractions, shopping, and dining, nightlife and public transport - all
while still safe and secure.
Flexible Booking and Cancellation
Terms
Most international students looking for accommodation in the UK agree
that they would feel more comfortable
booking a room if the terms and conditions were flexible. When you book
with Londonist, you can get a full refund if you need to cancel your
accommodation reservation for any reason (e.g. not getting a student visa, not
getting a place on campus your chosen university, travel restrictions due to
Covid-19, etc.).
Londonist offers flexibility with short- and
long-term accommodation, so you can stay
as little as two weeks and as long as a year. You also don't need to
book for the whole year - they can easily renew your reservation at any time.
With the UK making impressive progress in
vaccinating populations across all age groups, a busy year is forecast for
accommodation providers and universities. Start your search now and give yourself
plenty of time to secure a reservation before slots fill up!