Shared accommodation or student apartment, what are the differences?

What's better? Having your own space or sharing it? Do you imagine your student flat to be a haven designed by you, or are you happy to mix and match with a flatmate? Are you deciding between sharing a flat and a flat in a student residence? 

The main differences between a shared flat and dedicated student accommodation are the shared spaces, the type of lease and, of course, the need to share responsibilities. Your preferences, your income and your need for a greater or lesser degree of independence, will all influence your choice. 

To find out more, see also Top tips for finding the right finding student accommodation.

 

Sharing a student flat advantages and disadvantages

Because good decisions need good information, here's a list of pros and cons to help you decide:

The advantages of a shared student flat: 

• Save on rent and service charges
• Sharing responsibilities and day-to-day tasks
• Living in a lively home, helps prevent loneliness

The disadvantages of sharing:

• Coping with noise and your flatmate's lifestyle
• Suffering from a lack of privacy and occasional misunderstandings
• An unexpected change of flatmate during the year

Choosing accommodation in a student residence 

A student flat generally offers more privacy and independence, as well as peace and quiet. Important factors for getting on with your work! However, living alone can sometimes be costly. To make up for this, housing grants and other schemes for students can help to reduce accommodation costs. 

You should also be aware that if you choose a student residence, you'll be the sole signatory on the lease and therefore solely responsible for paying the rent and bills. Simply put, you're the one in charge! It's a great opportunity to learn and grow. Tempted?