Accommodation
Living on campus
Living on-campus in our halls of residence is highly encouraged, especially if it is your first time at Herts.
- Utility bills, WI-FI and contents insurance included
- 24/7 support - help is close by if you accidentally lock yourself out of your room in the early hours
- No need for a UK guarantor
- Easy access to your lectures and on campus facilities
- Option to live with friends
- Dedicated postgraduate area on de Havilland
- NCA Accommodation assured
If you have a room offer secured, but then can't join us for that intake due to not meeting all your academic conditions, or not getting your visa, you will not be held to your on campus accommodation contract.
On campus accommodation options
There are a range of accommodations to choose from, such as en-suites, townhouses and studios! You can specify your preference when you fill in your accommodation application and choose the privacy level that's right for you.
When to apply
You can apply to live on campus once you have a conditional offer to study at Herts. We recommend making your application as soon as possible as our more popular room styles will get snapped up first!
If you are joining us for a Semester A September start, the accommodation application portal usually opens around March.
It is vital that you book and secure your accommodation before you arrive in the UK. You may have to show your accommodation evidence at border checks.
Before you apply for accommodation, please be aware that;
- you will need to pay an accommodation deposit of £150 which is refundable at the end of your tenancy (less any outstanding charges applicable)
- we are not able to offer short term accommodation
- we do not provide accommodation for families
- you only pay to the University directly for your accommodation. Never pay through a third party who say they can get you a cheaper rate. This is not true and could be fraudulent.
Help with your application
You can follow along with our step-by-step application guidance video below, or check out the frequently asked questions for accommodation.
Renting off-campus
The University doesn't have any accommodation off campus, so if you want to live off campus you will need to arrange a private rental. Please ensure you read our guidance to help you check the accommodation is suitable.
All landlords have to complete a right to rent check for anyone who wants to rent in the private sector. Students living in University accommodation are exempt from these checks. Further information can be found on Ask Herts.
There are also some important things to consider:
Commute times and costs
It is important that you live as close to campus as possible to ensure you have easy access to the campus facilities and can get to your classes even if they are scheduled for an early morning or later evening session.
You must live within a maximum 2 hour commute or 30 mile radius of campus. Ensure you research commute costs and times before committing to a property to ensure you can get to lectures on time and cost effectively. Check out the local bus route at Unobus and train timetables on National Rail.
Choose PAL accredited landlords
When searching for off-campus accommodation, please ensure you choose a PAL accredited property. This scheme has been created in partnership between the University of Hertfordshire and Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council. It is a voluntary scheme which recognises Landlords and Letting Agents who provide safe and well-maintained private accommodation.
The University is only allowed to recommend PAL accredited properties to students, as these Landlords and Letting Agents are adhering to a specific Code of Practice and we want to ensure Students find good quality homes within the Borough.
The benefits of using a PAL accredited property are;
- Any photos will match how the property looks in real life
- Properties are well maintained
- Any deposit you have to pay will be held securely
- No hidden costs
- The landlords and letting agents are vetted
- Properties are compliant with UK law and safety standards - no overcrowding
If you require further advice and guidance with regards to living off-campus, please contact the Community Liaison & Support Officer (Dean of Students Office) via Community@herts.ac.uk.
Rental fraud and scams
Please be vigilant when searching for off campus accommodation if you are not using the PAL network. Read the guidance on how to protect yourself from rental fraud and the key things you should be mindful of when setting up your off campus accommodation.
UK Guarantors
Most letting agents and landlords will require a UK based guarantor. This requires the guarantor to be resident in the UK and show proof that their finances can afford to pay the rent should you fail to pay, some students choose to use an online Guarantor service. Unfortunately, the University is unable to recommend specific companies, however an example is Housing Hand. Please do your research and check the terms and conditions before signing up to a Guarantor service.
An alternative to having a UK based Guarantor is to pay a larger proportion of rent in advance, as added security for the Landlord. Please only agree to this if your Landlord or Letting Agent is PAL accredited. Paying large sums of money in advance for non-accredited properties is high risk, and not encouraged.
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