Private accommodation

You might want to live in private accommodation while you're studying at CU Scarborough. Private landlords manage and let these properties independently, which can feel like a lot to navigate on your own, especially if you're new to renting or new to the UK. We've put together the guidance below to help you understand your rights and responsibilities as a private tenant, so you can make a confident, informed decision about where you live.

Quick Links

Make a plan Finding someone to share with Avoid scams Licencing Tenancy agreements Deposits

Make a plan

When you're planning your accommodation, there are a few things worth thinking through before you start looking.

Check term dates and secure your accommodation before your course starts, so you can focus on your studies without worrying about where you'll live.
Check the CU Scarborough term dates and aim to have your accommodation secured before your course starts, so you can settle in rather than spend your first week searching for somewhere to live.
Research the real cost of living, not just rent. Factor in utilities, contents insurance and a weekly food and travel budget, so you know what you can genuinely afford.
Think about location. CU Scarborough sits on Ashburn Road, a short distance from the town centre and seafront, so most areas of Scarborough are within easy walking or bus distance of campus. Whether you choose one of our checked properties or a private option, check how far it actually is from campus, not just from the town centre.
Decide who you'd like to live with, and what kind of property suits you. A shared house usually costs less per person. A studio gives you more privacy but costs more.

Once you know what you're looking for, start viewing properties. Try to see as many as you reasonably can, and take our accommodation checklist with you so you don't overlook anything important.

If you're moving from outside the UK, start your search at least three months before you plan to arrive. That gives you enough time to research options, arrange viewings in person or by video call, and sort out a guarantor if you need one.

If you'd like to search independently, alongside our checked properties, these general listing sites can be a useful starting point:

CU Scarborough has no association with any of these websites and hasn't vetted the landlords or letting agents who advertise on them. We can't be held responsible for any loss or issue arising from your dealings with sites listed here. If you have questions about a specific listing, contact that site directly.

Types of accommodation

Shared house: several students each with their own bedroom, sharing kitchen, bathroom and living space. Usually the most affordable option.
Studio flat: a self contained space with your own kitchen and bathroom. More private, usually more expensive.
Lodging with a resident landlord: renting a room in a house where the landlord also lives. Different legal protections apply, so check your rights carefully before agreeing.

Finding someone to share with

Choosing who you live with matters. If you use one of our checked properties, you may be placed alongside other students rather than choosing your own housemates. If you're renting privately, which is the more common route in Scarborough, you'll usually be choosing to share with a smaller group of people and communal space, so it's worth putting real thought into who that is.

To find housemates, post on Your Students' Union housing forum or look out for in-person events where you can meet other students looking to share. If you're a returning student, you may already have people in mind from your course, societies, or previous accommodation.
Think about whether you'd prefer to live with people on a similar course, with similar interests or lifestyle, or simply people you already get on with. Be upfront with potential housemates about how you like to live, so everyone's expectations match before you commit.
Before you sign anything, make sure everyone in the group has the right to be in the UK, understands the tenancy agreement, and can genuinely afford their share of the rent and bills. Agree whose name the bills will be in and how everyone will pay their share. Once the contract's signed, you're all legally bound to it, so it's worth being certain everyone's agreed rather than assuming.

Avoid scams

As students search for accommodation during peak times, there are individuals who may attempt to take

Never pay a deposit, holding fee or any money before you've viewed the property in person, or by live video call with the landlord or agent if an in-person viewing isn't possible.
Be cautious of listings priced well below the local average, pressure to pay quickly, or a landlord who won't meet you or show identification.
If a letting agent is involved, confirm they're a member of a redress scheme such as The Property Ombudsman or the Property Redress Scheme.
If anything feels wrong, stop and ask the CU Scarborough Accommodation Team or the Students' Union Advice Service before you go any further.

Licensing to check

There are two different licensing schemes that can apply to a private rental in Scarborough, and it's worth understanding the difference so you know what to ask about.

Mandatory HMO licensing

This applies to the property itself, not its location. It's triggered whenever five or more people from two or more households share facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom, wherever in the country the property is.
It's a national requirement under the Housing Act 2004.
If you're viewing a larger shared house with several unrelated sharers, this is the licence to ask about first.

Selective licensing

This applies based on location, not property type. The council designates specific areas where every privately rented property needs a licence, even a single let with just one or two tenants.
Parts of Scarborough currently fall within a selective licensing area: the Scarborough South zone (Weaponness and Ramshill) and the Scarborough Town zone (Castle, Falsgrave, Stepney and Northstead).

How to check a specific property

Ask your landlord or agent for the licence number directly, for either type of licence.
North Yorkshire Council publishes a register of every selectively licensed property in Scarborough, listing the exact address, licence number and expiry date. It's the most reliable way to check a specific address yourself rather than relying on what a landlord tells you.
If a property should be licensed and isn't, treat that as a serious warning sign, and speak to the Accommodation Team or the Students' Union Advice Service before you go any further.

Tenancy agreements

Tenancy agreements are important legal documents that set out the responsibilities and expectations of both tenants and landlords. They cover things like rent payments, how long you can stay in the property, and who is responsible for repairs.

Before you sign a tenancy agreement, it's important to read it carefully and make sure you understand everything. If there's anything you're not sure about, you should seek independent advice.

When you're checking over your agreement, make sure you know who the landlord or landlord's agent is, how much rent you'll need to pay and how often, and whether you'll need to pay a returnable deposit. You should also check what's included in the rent and whether there are any restrictions on visitors or use of facilities.

There are two main types of agreements for students: tenancy agreements and licence agreements.

Licence agreements are often used when you're renting a room in your landlord's primary residence or sharing a bedroom with another lodger or a member of the landlord's family

Tenancy agreements are used when you have a legally binding right to occupy a property or room and to exclude other people from it.

It's important to know which type of agreement you have, as the rules for each are slightly different. And remember, the laws around tenancies can vary depending on when the agreement was created, so if you're unsure about your rights, you should seek further advice.

Read the whole tenancy agreement before you sign it, and don't feel pressured to sign on the spot.

Before you sign anything or make any payment, we strongly recommend getting your contract checked by the Students' Union Advice Service, who offer a free contract review.

Deposits

Your deposit is an upfront payment, most commonly one month's rent, held by your landlord or letting agent for the length of your tenancy. By law it can't be more than five weeks' rent, and it's there to protect both of you if there's damage to the property or unpaid rent when you move out.

Your landlord must protect your deposit in one of three government approved schemes: Deposit Protection Service, mydeposits or Tenancy Deposit Scheme. If they mention a different scheme, that's a warning sign, ask directly which one they use before you pay anything.
This protection applies to most private tenancies, but not all. If you're a lodger living with a resident landlord, or in certain types of university owned accommodation, your deposit may not be protected in the same way, so it's worth checking your specific situation rather than assuming.
Before you pay, make sure you've actually signed your contract first, and confirm the exact amount, it should never be more than five weeks' rent. If you pay in cash, get a receipt and keep it with your contract.
Once you've paid, your landlord has 30 days to protect it and give you written details of the property, the deposit amount, which scheme it's in, and how to use that scheme's dispute resolution service if something goes wrong.
If your landlord doesn't protect your deposit properly or on time, you may be able to take action to recover compensation, but speak to the Students' Union Advice Service before doing anything formal, since there are real risks to getting this wrong without advice.
For more detail, Shelter and uk both have independent guidance on tenancy deposits.
Keep a dated, photographed inventory of the property's condition when you move in, and ask your landlord or agent to confirm they agree with it.

Your Students' Union has published its own detailed guide to these changes, written specifically for Coventry University Group students, covering joint tenancies, student halls, and what to do if something goes wrong: A Student's Guide to the Renters' Rights Act.