Accommodation for families
Moving your family to Leeds needs careful consideration. Follow these five steps to help plan your move.
1. Research accommodation early
Start your research as soon as you’ve received your offer to study in Leeds.
The University has limited accommodation for families. There’s a long waiting list, so it’s best not to rely on this accommodation for you and your family.
Check the University’s accommodation website and contact the accommodation team with any questions.
You can also use the Unipol website to:
- Search for properties for students with children
- Sign up for Unipol’s family mailing list before you arrive in the UK to get alerts on available properties.
2. Find accommodation before you bring your family
Finding suitable long-term accommodation can be time-consuming. You may need to live in temporary accommodation while you find something.
We strongly recommend you don’t travel to the UK with your family unless you’ve already secured long-term family accommodation.
Once you sign a contract, you’re legally responsible for paying rent until the contract ends. Don’t sign anything unless you’re sure.
If you have any questions about bringing your family to Leeds, email the Student Visa Advice team at studentadvice@leeds.ac.uk.
3. Be flexible on housing locations
You may not be able to find family accommodation in central Leeds. It’s common for families to be located up to an hour’s bus journey away from campus.
Search Unipol’s suggested family accommodation areas close to Leeds. Find distances to Leeds and the average transport cost to commute to the city centre.
4. Budget carefully
Many rented properties in the UK are unfurnished. You may need to budget for furniture (tables, chairs, beds, etc.).
You may also need to budget for your commute:
- Buses: find ticket costs for you and your family on the First Bus website.
- Trains: buy a Family and Friends railcard, which saves adults and children up to 60%. You can also find discounts for children on the National Rail website.
- Cars: make sure you know the legal obligations of driving in the UK.
5. Ask for help and support
Unipol is the best point of contact for family accommodation support. Contact them through the Unipol website or visit their campus office once you’re in the UK.
If you’re having difficulties with your accommodation or landlord, contact the Leeds University Union Help and Support team for advice.