It can feel like everyone starts talking about next year's housing almost as soon as term begins. You'll see properties being advertised early and might hear that you need to find somewhere straight away.

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Exeter can be a competitive place to rent, so it's worth starting your research early. But that doesn't mean you need to rush into living somewhere you're not sure about. Give yourself time to think about what you can afford, who you want to live with, where you'd like to be and what you actually need from your next home.

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What's the housing market like in Exeter?

There's a real mix of student accommodation in Exeter, including shared houses, flats, Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA), University accommodation, studios and rooms with resident landlords.

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There has been growth in PBSA across the city, but that doesn't necessarily mean every type of accommodation is easy to find.

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The market also changes from year to year. For 2026/27, the University is currently reporting that private accommodation availability in Exeter is extremely limited, so it's important to look at what's happening when you're actually searching rather than relying on previous years. Check the University's latest private accommodation information.

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Do I need to sign for somewhere straight away?

No one should be pressuring you to agree to a property before you're ready, including yourself! You might hear things like "everything will be gone soon" or find that your friends are ready to sign when you're still unsure. It can make it feel like you need to make a decision immediately.  It's worth taking enough time to:

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• work out what you can realistically afford

• decide who you actually want to live with

• view the property where possible

• understand what's included in the rent

• look at the area

• read what you're agreeing to

• ask about anything you're unsure of

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New properties can also appear at different points in the year. Studentpad is updated throughout the year as new properties are advertised. The important thing is to be prepared rather than pressured.

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Does the size of my group matter?

Yes. How many people you want to live with can make quite a difference to your options. If you're looking for a particularly large house, you'll have fewer properties to choose from simply because there aren't as many of them.

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Before deciding on a group size, think about who you actually want to live with rather than trying to fill enough bedrooms for a particular property. If you're struggling to find somewhere for a large group, you could consider splitting into two smaller groups. You might still be able to find houses on the same street or flats in the same building.

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Should I start earlier if I have specific housing needs?

It can be useful to give yourself more time if there are particular things you need from your accommodation. For example, you might:

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• need an accessible property or particular adaptations

• have children or dependants and need family accommodation

• need to be near a particular school, placement or support network

• need parking or step-free access

• need a particular type of property.

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The University currently advises that family accommodation can be particularly difficult to find in Exeter, so don't bring dependants to Exeter until you've secured somewhere suitable to live.

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You could also contact accommodation providers or letting agents directly and explain what you're looking for. They may be able to let you know when suitable properties become available.

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What if I haven't decided who I want to live with?

That's okay. It can feel like everyone else has already found their group, particularly when people start talking about housing early in the year.

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You don't need to agree to live with people just because you're worried about being left behind. Take some time to think about whether you'd actually be happy sharing a home together. There will be lots of opportunities in the new year to meet people and make more friends. We've got separate advice on choosing who to live with if you're not sure.

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How can the Guild help?

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While we can't help you find a house, we can help you understand your housing rights and help you if things go wrong.

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Complete our enquiry form or email advice@exeterguild.com.  

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The University's Move Smart Campaign is there to help you find the right housing for you.

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