Wednesday 23-07-2025 - 09:42

Finding the right flat can feel like one of the biggest challenges, whether you’re just starting university, arriving as an international student, or moving for any number of reasons. And let’s be honest: charity begins at home. If your living space isn’t safe, affordable, and comfortable, how can you be expected to manage your studies, work, and everything else that student life in 2025 demands?

Like many of you, I’ve been through it. As an international student from Nigeria, I somehow managed to find a private rented flat and a flatmate before arriving in Glasgow. But even after two years of living here, moving flats is still a hassle. Over the past year, I’ve spent time understanding the housing challenges students face and campaigning for change nationally (Learn more). Now, I want to share some practical tips, highlight your rights, and hopefully offer a bit of reassurance through my experience and the voices of other students.

This isn't a complete list of advice, so if you need further support don't hesitate to contact Shelter Scotland, they are the best place for all things housing support; they provide legal support, general advice, information about your rights, and casework.

Know What You Need

Before you start browsing listings, take a moment to think about what you actually need and what works best for you. Ask yourself:

• What’s your budget? Remember to factor in rent, bills (like electricity, water, and Wi-Fi), and your deposit.
• A guarantor: Typically, a parent or guardian who agrees to cover your rent if you can't. However, if you are estranged or don't have a UK guarantor, you can email the university to ask for any help! (We lobbied last for a GCU rent guarantor scheme and the University management are looking into their options)
• Do I want to live alone or with flatmate(s)? Sharing a flat can help lower costs to as little as £200/month, but living alone gives you more privacy at higher costs from £700 above. If you don’t have flatmates lined up, need an extra flatmate, or want to move into a flat with people looking for a flatmate, you can join flatmate groups like Spareroom , Roomies ,  student led flatmate/flat search Whatsapp group  or look up one of the many find-a-flatmate groups on Facebook (but do be extremely cautious!).
• Where do I want to live? University accommodation – Caledonian Court? Private Student Accommodation? or Private Landlord or letting agency Flats? Consider how far it is from campus, transport links, nearby shops, and safety of the area.
• Start Early, Beat the Rush: Glasgow is a hot spot for students, so start your search early. Planning ahead and starting early can help you avoid last-minute stress and ensure you find a desirable place to live and not some trap in disguise to put up with under pressure.  Your best port of call to start searching is: 
• Check websites like S1 Homes, Rightmove, Zoopla, Gumtree, OpenRent, and Spareroom 
• Ask your friends, family or colleagues if they know about any homes for rent.
• Contact local letting agencies to ask if they have homes available. You can also search for a list of registered letting agents (for example here) and comb through their rental property listing one at a time. Bonus tip: Go to an area you want to move into and you’ll see flat vacancy notices on buildings with numbers to call. Lastly on this point, agents can be funny sometimes so do check reviews trust me (I have first hand experience of the worst agent experience and I learned) 
• Don’t forget word of mouth!! Friends, continuing students or recent graduates might know of places becoming available.
• You can also consider cheaper options in social housing like housing associations or mid market rental but these usually have long waiting times and is not advisable as first option but more long term considerations once you’re settled.
• Trade offs? Start by listing your priorities. This will help you quickly narrow down your options. Every choice involves a trade-off. For example, if you’d rather avoid the stress of managing bills, maintenance, and longer commutes, you might prefer a purpose-built student accommodation even if it costs more. On the other hand, if you value privacy or don’t enjoy communal living, you may lean toward a private flat, though it could mean juggling bills, responsibilities, and possibly being farther from campus.
  
  RED FLAGS
  
  Once you find the flat of your dreams or the least decrepit one within your price range, you should set up a viewing! It's essential to keep an eye out for red flags! Look out for:
• ❌Poor or No Written Communication. Only communicating via WhatsApp or verbally — no emails, no receipts. Legit landlords, subtenants and agencies would confirm all key info in writing/email (rent, deposit, tenancy length, responsibilities).
• ❌Subletting tenants not providing any form of written agreements usually means they don’t have permission from the actual Landlord and reduces any legal rights you have so they may mistreat you on that basis.
• ❌You should never move in or pay a deposit without written confirmation that the deposit will be placed in a Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) (e.g., SafeDeposits Scotland). You must get formal confirmation of this within 30 working days
• ❌Spot some fuzzy green or black patches on the walls? That’s mould and it can be a health hazard, so steer clear! Be sure to check behind the furniture and around windows. 
• ❌I know this is easier said than done but please avoid making flat move-in decisions under pressure as much as possible
• ❌Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true E.g City centre flat, fully furnished, £300/month all bills included. Sounds amazing?🚨 Scam alert. These are often fake listings. If the rent is unusually low, or the person won't let you view the flat in person, it’s likely a scam and always avoid sending money before seeing a property in person (or virtually, if needed).
• ❌Turning up “just to check something” without your consent. Landlords must give at least 48 hours’ notice unless it’s an emergency.
• ❌Water stains on the ceiling or walls? Be sure to raise this as an issue so they can repair this as soon as you move in!
• ❌Landlords that act too domineering may try to give you too many difficult or overbearing rules like curfews (trust me I’ve seen this happen many times)
• ❌Never pay any deposits or rent to any individual or business if they’re not a registered landlord. You can check registered landlords here and agents here
• ❌Pushing for Immediate Payment Without Proper Paperwork “Pay today, move in tomorrow! no need for a contract right now.”

You’re paying for a space and have basic renting rights! Know your renting rights and make them aware you do. 🏠 Need legal Housing support, advice or want to know your rights? Contact:

• GCU Accommodation Support – email accommodation.support@gcu.ac.uk
• GCU Students’ Association Advice – www.gcustudents.co.uk/accommodation 
• Citizens Advice Scotland – https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland
• Shelter Scotland – https://scotland.shelter.org.uk
• NUS Scotland – https://www.nus.org.uk/studenthousing-hub
   

Housing Scams and how to spot them 

Common scams I’ve seen students experience are making payments to scrupulous ‘landlords’ that disappear immediately and leave them completely demoralized with no flat nor money to search further, a tenant subletting posing as the landlord and overcharging you and so much more.  To stay safe from scams, check out this simple list of dos and don’ts from the Student President at Heriot-Watt University before signing a lease or sending any money. 

• DO read and scrutinise the tenancy agreement before. Keep an eye out for anything that looks dodgy!  
• DO ask questions about issues, repairs, and previous tenants. If you like the look of your flat, get ready with that deposit in place.
• DO ensure the property exists: Pop the address into Google Maps and take a virtual stroll using ‘Street View’. Think of it as a mini adventure without leaving your seat. 
• DO view the flat in person or virtually before signing a contract: Ideally, swing by for an in-person visit to see if it feels like home. Remember to look out for those red flags! 

• DO check your letting agent or landlord: In Scotland, all letting agents and landlords must be registered with their relevant bodies! Go and use their Landlord Registration number (found on the property ad) and confirm it’s legit on the Scottish Landlord Registration website. For letting agents, verify their credentials on the Scottish Letting Agent Register. It’s like a background check but for your peace of mind! 

• Do check for that HMO licence - If there are 3 or more people who aren't related staying in a flat, it will need to have an HMO licence – so make sure to check that the property has one. 

• DO think carefully before signing: Take your time and think about your decision. Remember the top three scam signals: unbelievably low rent (if it’s too good to be true, it probably is), being asked for a deposit before viewing, and requests for money via transfer services. Stay savvy and dodge those rental traps! 

• DON’T let your landlord or letting agent keep your legal documents: No one needs to hold onto your passport, driving license, or birth certificate. In Scotland, it’s not a legal requirement, so keep those precious docs in your hands. 

• DON’T feel pressured to act quickly: If a landlord or agent rushes you to decide, send money, or agree to a tenancy, it’s likely a tactic to prevent you from thinking it through. Take your time and follow your gut! 

• DON’T send any money before you’ve signed a tenancy agreement: No need to part with your cash before the dotted line is signed. You shouldn’t have to pay a penny to view a flat or before finalizing the tenancy agreement. 

• DON’T send any money to a letting agent via a transfer service: Avoid using services like Western Union to send money to letting agents. It's a red flag and a common scam method. 

If you believe you’ve been scammed, don’t keep it to yourself! Report it to your local police station or call 101 and call your bank ASAP! Unfortunately, if you are scammed, it is unlikely to get your money back, ever, even if the rouge landlord is tracked down. So, stay safe and savvy!  

Found a flat you can call home? Congratulations! 🎉 🎉 🎉 🎉

If you’ve managed to complete the near-impossible mission of finding a flat you can call home in Glasgow, seriously, well done! But before you move in, here’s a quick safety checklist to make sure everything’s in place and you’re protected as a tenant.

✅ Student Move-In Safety Checklist

1. Lease Agreement

• Have you received and signed a Tenancy agreement by both parties?
• Did you read all terms (rent, notice period, who to contact)?

2. Rent & Deposit

• Is the deposit amount legal (no more than 2 months’ rent)?
• Have you confirmed it will be placed in a Tenancy Deposit Scheme (e.g. SafeDeposits Scotland)?
•  Did you pay by bank transfer or traceable method (never cash)?

3. Inventory & Condition

• Did the landlord or agent provide a written inventory?
• Take photos/videos of everything (especially damage) on movein day
• Record meter readings for gas/electricity/water

4. Safety Certificates; Ask for copies of:

• ✅ Gas Safety Certificate
• ✅ Electrical Inspection (EICR)
• ✅ Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
• ✅ Make sure smoke and CO alarms are working

5. Know Who to Contact

• Do you have contact info for the landlord or letting agent?
• Do you know who to call for repairs or emergencies?

6. Join Living Rent – Scotland’s Tenant Union: 
   
   I think it is important for every tenant to join Living rent because they help protect renters from unfair treatment, supports you with legal issues, and gives you a voice in housing decisions. Whether it’s deposit disputes, unsafe conditions, or rising rents, they’ve got your back.
7. Official Things to Do

• Register for council tax exemption after obtaining your confirmation of student status letter (for council tax) from your student portal
• Set up or transfer utility accounts and WiFi
• Update your address with uni, bank, GP, etc.

I really hope you’ve found this guide helpful in some way, whether it’s helped you avoid a scam, feel more confident signing a lease, or just know where to turn when things get tricky.

Please remember: you don’t have to face unfair or illegal treatment alone. Reach out to any of the amazing support or legal organisations listed earlier, they exist for you. And if it feels easier, you can always message me or any of your Full-Time Officers (FTOs) first, we’ll listen and point you in the right direction.

We’ve also been lobbying the Scottish Government to fix the student housing crisis through the Housing Bill currently going through Parliament. Please get involved or reach out, your voice will go a long way in supporting National Student Housing Campaign.

See what we’ve achieved so far here - https://www.canva.com/design/DAGr08riRws/hDu86pKWGzFbV6OHvJBWgg/view?utm_content=DAGr08riRws&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h0bd3e65ccc#1

Press - https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/25307763.fair-rent-campaign-launched-scots-university-students/ 

I know this has been a lot of info (sorry for bombarding you with resources 😅), but I genuinely hope it helps you feel empowered and supported.

Now go out there, find not just a flat, but a home, and live like the star that you are. 🌟

With love and solidarity,
Tom Tom
Your Student President ✨

president@gcustudents.co.uk