As Spring heralds its arrival, so too does the painstaking process of searching for a house to rent for the new academic year. I’ve rented in Brighton as a student for the past four years, and have been through many ups and downs when house hunting. Here are the things I wish I had known before starting to rent, so hopefully you can avoid some of the mistakes I’ve made!
First up, assemble your house group. Ideally, this is a set of people who broadly have similar habits – think Type A versus Type B when it comes to cleaning, sleep patterns, etc. This isn’t a deal breaker, but do be prepared to arrive at compromises regarding things like cleaning and bin rotas. You should also all be on the same page concerning the budget and the area you’d like to live in.
In terms of typical areas to rent around Brighton as a student, Coldean, Moulsecoomb and Bevendean tend to be favoured due to their proximity to the University and the 25 bus route which connects the universities and the city centre. I wouldn’t put any one area over the other in terms of living quality, but do be aware that Coldean and Moulsecoomb are generally hillier. Of course, you can rent closer to town at the obvious cost of financial destitution and noise suffered.
During the process of shortlisting houses, look out for the energy efficiency rating published on every house. This little letter grade might not seem like much, but it dictates how quickly heat will leak out of your house, and therefore the amount of time the heating can be on for. Gas will almost certainly be your most expensive bill, so do pay it mind. Since A ratings are almost unheard of, try to opt for B or C banded houses if possible.
When booking house viewings, do your very best to attend as a whole group. This means everyone can see what they’re getting, and there are no nasty surprises for anyone. Look out for mould and damp, particularly in corners and the bathroom. A little bit of mould isn’t necessarily a write-off, but multiple and large (think bigger than a closed laptop) patches are a red flag. Beware of the conservatory – this is quite possibly the mouldiest room that can exist in a student house, so keep away from houses including these. Pay mind to the size of rooms and decide amongst yourself whether the box room occupant pays less rent before actually moving in.
You’ll almost certainly be offered a bills-included-with-your-rent package when renting from a letting agent. This can be a nice weight off your shoulders, as you’re relieved of the burden of managing one or more bills and chasing fellow housemates for payments, but it obviously does cost a significant amount more. The landlord can also impose a “fair use” clause whereby your energy usage is monitored, and you’ll be charged more on top of the included bills if you exceed the limit. My personal advice is to just endure the minor hassle of managing bills yourself – it pays off.
Contracts: I won’t deny – the contract is boring and you will absolutely be sent to sleep reading it. However, this is a vital document, and it’s really important that you understand what you’re committing to for a year. If you need help with understanding the contract or clarifying any point within it, get in touch with the Student Union Advice team or Sussex University’s Housing Office.
For further information or if you have particular questions about renting, the Sussex Students’ Union website offers a helpful guide for students. Happy house hunting!
Another article you may enjoy: https://thebadgeronline.com/2026/02/how-one-of-the-badgers-own-got-involved-with-solidaritee/
