Private accommodation

The invisible hand of the market in action.Looking for private accommodation can be time-consuming. Good properties go very quickly in Oxford and you should begin looking early. Some say as early as the end of Michaelmas term! That said, you shouldn’t worry if you haven’t found a suitable room or shared house by Hilary. Just keep looking. You can find adverts for single rooms in shared houses as late as the end of Trinity term.

The first thing you should do is read the OUSU Living Out Guide, which provides a lot of practical information and really useful advice. You should also find out from your college lodge and JCR or MCR if they maintain any information about private housing for students. After you’ve done that, there are four main places where you can begin your search:

• University Accommodation Office: this is an invaluable resource, not least of all because it maintains lists of approved, privately owned rooms, shared houses, flats and houses for students. Both undergraduates and graduates can use the services of the Land Agent's and Accommodation Office, which is located in Ewert House, Summertown, just off Banbury Road (north of the city centre). You can get on their mailing list and have details of available properties sent to you by email, or you can use their online web-search facility at the above URL. You can also call, email or visit their main office for more specific help.
• Websites: sites such as Daily Information (http://www.dailyinfo.co.uk) and Facebook Marketplace are excellent resources as well. You should check them regularly, as many people use them to advertise single rooms within already shared houses. They are also especially useful if you are looking for a short let over the vacations.
• Newspapers and Notices: most local newspapers (such as the Oxford Star, Oxford Journal, Oxford Post, Oxford Mail and Oxford Times) have advertisements for places to let. You can also find adverts for rooms and houses to let on college noticeboards and in the windows of newsagents and post offices around town.
• Letting Agencies: many landlords use letting agents to market and manage their properties. There are a number of letting agencies in Oxford, most of which have excellent websites with searchable databases of the student accommodation they have on offer (including information about rent, availability and location). You can also call or visit their offices in person. You should bear in mind that letting agencies usually let houses rather than rooms, so you may need to find some friends to live with. For the pros and cons of using letting agencies to find private accommodation in Oxford, we highly recommend the OUSU Living Out Guide. You can find a list of letting agencies in Oxford the Acommodation for students website. We’ve also included a list below. This is by no means exhaustive but should serve as a good start.
  • College and County
    116b Cowley Road
    Telephone: 01865 722277
  • Finders Keepers
    22 Park End Street
    Telephone: 01865 297999
  • Hamptons International
    1-4 The Plain
    Telephone: 01865 723557
  • Homefinders Oxford
    151 Walton Street
    Telephone: 01865 311129
  • Hutton Parker
    61 St. Clements
    Telephone: 01865 728999
  • Lucy Properties
    Walton Well Road
    Telephone: 01865 559973
  • North Oxford Property Services
    47 Walton Street
    Telephone: 01865 311745
  • RMA Properties
    116a Cowley Road
    Telephone: 01865 251025
  • The Letting Shop
    59-60 High Street
    Telephone: 01865 790 609

The debate between living in college versus private accommodation is as endless as it is timeless; there are pros and cons on both sides. Typical advantages of college accommodation include having a scout, not having to worry about additional bills like electricity or utility bills, and being close to the main college site. Disadvantages include the high price, various problems relating to furnishings, including whether or not the rooms are en-suite, and having little to no choice over who your neighbours are. This is a very personal decision which you must consider thoroughly and deeply as you will be spending at least an entire year living there. And, if you decide to live in private accommodation you should make the effort to visit prospective accommodation venues before making your final decision.

The main areas in Oxford for students living out are: Cowley, Iffley and Headington (East Oxford); Abingdon (South Oxford); Jericho and Summertown (North Oxford); and Botley (West Oxford). More details about each area can be found in the Living Out Guide.

If you need further advice or help dealing with accommodation-related problems, you can email the OUSU Vice-President for Welfare or contact the Land Agent's and Accommodation Office in Ewert House, Summertown.