If you are looking for family accommodation in University of Bath managed accommodation for September 2023 please email reslife@bath.ac.uk for more information on our current availability.
If you are studying and require accommodation suitable for your family, you will need to search for conventional rentals or “professional/family” housing in the privately sector.
Looking for accommodation
Finding the right family or professional housing can take time, especially if you're searching in a competitive rental market. Don't worry if you can't find a suitable option straight away, properties are normally listed one or two months prior to their availability.
Before this you could research prices, locations and sign up for email alerts, to receive notifications for when suitable properties are available.
The University of Bath has its own property search site, Studentpad, however the majority of properties will be suitable for student sharers rather than families.
We recommend trying the following external sites:
Choosing a location
Bath has a variety of locations to consider, where you decide to live will depend on budget and your commute time. Bath can be an expensive area, so you may want to consider widening your search area.
If you plan on bringing a car, you will need to check whether you need a parking permit and the if the local Clean Air Zone (CAZ) rules will apply.
You can also use public transport and the University bus service.
Rightmove has a School Checker tool which allows you to see schools local to potential properties, their performance and admission criteria.
Contract lengths
Most private accommodation contract are six or 12-months long, with 12-month contracts being the preference. If you need shorter term accommodation websites like Airbnb can be useful but this will be expensive for extended stays.
Other flexible options like hotels/hostels are also expensive and lodgings are unfortunately not suitable for families. You may therefore want to reconsider relocating your family if possible and instead look at more flexible individual options like lodgings or weekday stays on websites like Spareroom.
Furnishing your accommodation
Before deciding on a property, you should check whether furniture and white goods are included. You could ask your landlord whether any can be provided as part of the tenancy. If not you will need to purchase your own.
Affordable options include local charity shops like Dorothy House and the University Noticeboard. At the end of your tenancy you will need to remove the items and empty the property.
Affordability checks
Landlords and agencies will need to check if you are a financially suitable tenant. Processes and requirements vary but usually will include a proof of income requirement and credit check. Without this, you may need to pay rent upfront.
Other checks like Right to Rent and references will be carried out too. More information on these checks can be found here.
If you are new to renting you may be asked for a UK based guarantor. Providing one will enable you to pay in instalments rather than upfront.