London accommodation for academic year only?

[primalscreem]

Hi. DS is starting year 2 at UCL and has a flatshare rental agreement for 12 months to Aug 31st 2024. The landlord wasn't interested in providing a break clause or a shorter term and, as 2 of the tenants will be having their third year abroad, the contract can't roll over into a monthly rental at the end of the year. Rather than taking another 12 month contract he would ideally find something with a 10 month contract until June 2025. I know the university-owned halls allow this but they're not generally available to third year students. Does anyone know of any private halls that allow it (preferably at the cheaper end of the spectrum)?

I would definitely ask about going back into UCL halls, as a first port of call.

Thanks, yes, he's actually noticing lots of places coming up now for UCL halls that were oversubscribed in Summer, so there must have been a shakedown since the start of term. If the same happens next year they may be the answer, as he can commute from home for the first few weeks.

Many private halls will want accomodation available over the summer so will offer academic year tenancies. The University may have a list.

In London students tend to rent on the private market rather than a specific student housing market. As a landlord I much prefer year long tenancies, but have had oversea student tenants for 10 months. The issue is that once they have sat their exams there is nothing to keep them in the country. The letting agency therefore will demand up to six months rent in advance.