Private housing service
Helping you find housing with a private landlord
In this section, you can browse private housing ads, apply for LSE to be your rent guarantor, and get other help and support with renting privately in London.
- Watch Finding private accommodation in London: From first steps to moving in - University of London presentation
- ULHS webinars - details here.
- Housing Fair 2025 - Thursday 20 March, 11am - 3pm at the Senate House, WC1E 7HU. For more details and to register, visit the official ULHS Housing Week website
If you are searching for private student accommodation in homes, flats, flat shares and lodgings in London, these places are great to get you started.
Browse University of London (UoL) - property search
ULHS is an online private housing database managed by University of London. Registration is free, and you can search for suitable properties and contact landlords directly. Visit: University of London property search
Are you an agent or landlord?
You can Register your property with ULHS
Letting agents also advertise here:
www.zoopla.co.uk
www.onthemarket.com
www.rightmove.co.uk
Popular websites for rooms and flatshares include:
www.gumtree.com
www.spareroom.co.uk
Please note these services may be operating remotely at present. Please contact via email address or telephone for further information.
LSE Students' Union Advice Centre
Saw Swee Hock Student Centre
1 Sheffield Street
London, WC2A 2AP
Tel: +44 (0)20 7955 7158
Email: su.advice@lse.ac.uk
Website: www.lsesu.com/advice
Open for telephone and email enquiries Monday to Friday, 10:30am to 4:30pm.
University of London Housing Services (ULHS)
Registry & Advice Centre
Senate House, Malet Street
London EC1E 7HU
Tel: +44 (0)20 7862 8880
Email: housing@lon.ac.uk
Website: www.housing.london.ac.uk
Opening hours: all year round Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10am to 5pm, Tuesday 11am to 5pm; and during September, Saturday 10am to 2pm.
LSE Accommodation Office
We offer advice on private housing and can direct you to other teams who can help you.
Tel: +44 (0)20 7955 7531
Private housing queries: private.housing@lse.ac.uk
Website: lse.ac.uk/accommodation
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
You lived in halls last year and now need a tenancy reference from us?
You will be able to request this from the admin team at the hall that you stayed in (for Sidney Webb House references, please contact the Residential Services Office).
For contact details, see: Contacts in halls of residence
The LSE Rent Guarantor Scheme is our way of helping you rent in London, if you are being asked for a guarantor.
For more information and to check if you're eligible visit: Apply for LSE to be your rent guarantor
Do you need somewhere to stay while you search for a flat in London?
In late summer, we offer places in halls on a short-term basis. Staying in halls while searching for a place to rent is how a lot of students find their housing each year. It's also an opportunity to meet other students with whom you can start a flat share.
For details, see: Student discount for short-term rooms in halls
Do you need help before signing a tenancy agreement?
Make an appointment with the University of London Housing Service contract checking service. They will discuss and clarify the terms of the contract with you, and flag up potential problems.
For more information and to make an appointment, visit: Contract checking service - UoL Housing Service
Interactive rental heat map on the Mayor of London's website
London Rents Map
Private renting for tenants: tenancy agreements
The UK governments information on renting privately.
Visit: Private renting for tenants: tenancy agreements
There's also a checklist for renting in England.
Rogue landlord checker
This tool on the Mayor of London's website lets you check if a landlord has recently been prosecuted or fined by their Borough. Visit: Check a landlord or agent
University of London( UoL) Housing Services Private Housing Guide
You can download the online UoL Private Housing Guide [PDF]
This guide is really comprehensive. It covers topics like:
- types of accommodation
- property viewing tips
- deposits
- council Tax
- safety advice
- map of London showing average rents by postcode
Accepted documents include:
- Passport or national identity card from Great Britain, EEA or Switzerland
- A full birth/adoption certificate AND a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) letter confirming the holder's acceptance on a current course of studies.
- If you are an international student, a visa/Biometric Residence Permit to show that you are allowed to stay in the UK for the relevant period.
- We would recommend you DO NOT send any original documents to your landlord via post. Bring the documents with you in person and ask the landlord to make a copy of the document while you are present, and to return the original to you, or bring along copies along with the originals.