Arriving at your accommodation
Before you arrive in Leeds, make sure you have arranged permanent accommodation.
If you need to arrive before your accommodation contract start date, make sure you have arranged temporary accommodation.
Types of accommodation
University accommodation
The Accommodation website can give you more information on University accommodation.
Private accommodation
If you want to find private accommodation, Unipol can help with your search. Check out their Leeds September 2024 page where you can also find their house hunting guide.
Unipol have created a webinar which teaches you everything you need to know about finding private accommodation in Leeds. Watch the recording of the House Hunting in Leeds webinar. Use the passcode 0BZ&R9ea.
Visit our accommodation for families page for advice on moving to Leeds with your family.
When you can move into your accommodation
University accommodation
If you’ve booked to stay in university accommodation, arrive on or after your accommodation contract start date, unless your start date is later than International Orientation Week or your school induction.
You’ll need to complete your online accommodation induction to book a time slot to collect your keys and move into your accommodation.
Private accommodation
If you’re staying in private accommodation, ask your private provider when you can arrive.
Early arrivals
If you need to arrive before your contract start date to attend International Orientation or an early school induction, it’s important that you:
- check whether you can move in early to your long-term accommodation. If this is not possible, you need to book temporary accommodation.
- remember to budget for the extra cost of accommodation for any days you will be staying in Leeds before your accommodation contract starts.
If you’ve booked University accommodation, make an early arrivals application as soon as possible. There are limited places in University accommodation for early arrivals, so this is not guaranteed.
If you’ve arranged to stay in private accommodation, ask your accommodation provider if you can move in early.
If your long-term accommodation provider is not able to offer you early arrival, book temporary accommodation in a hotel, guest house or bed and breakfast. Visit Leeds has information about temporary accommodation in Leeds.
In all cases, when you can move into your accommodation is one of the key points to consider when planning when to arrive in Leeds.
Travelling to your accommodation
When you arrive in Leeds, we recommend taking a taxi to help you get to your final destination. This is the easiest and quickest way to get to your accommodation.
If you arrive in Leeds by train, coach or bus, you will find permanent taxi ranks just outside Leeds train and coach/bus station where you can take a taxi without needing to pre-book. You can also pre-book a taxi through Arrow Cars, Veezu or Uber.
Don’t travel with large amounts of cash but make sure you have some cash with you to pay for transport if you can’t pay for your ride by card. Taxi drivers won’t accept £50 notes, so it’s important that you have £10 or £20 notes with you that you can easily use to pay.
If you need to contact your University accommodation, find all relevant contact details for our residences or you can contact the Student Information Service team and they will be able to direct you to your accommodation.
If you arrive out of our working hours and need to speak to someone, contact the University’s security team.
Never leave your luggage unsupervised during your journey until you are inside your accommodation. We advise you to buy travel insurance to protect you in case your items are lost, stolen or damaged, or if there are any medical/other emergencies.
Further information
If you need any more information about your accommodation, email the Accommodation team at accom@leeds.ac.uk or phone the Accommodation team on +44 (0)113 343 7777. Phone lines are open Monday to Friday 9am and 5pm.