What if I don’t have anyone to live with next year?

Firstly, it is important to understand that you are not the only person who is worried about what their living arrangements are going to be next year.

Whether you are moving out of halls in the summer or you are just looking for a change of scenery; it can be really stressful trying to arrange a place to stay, especially when it feels like everyone else has basically got their tenancy agreements signed after first term and are already planning their housewarming parties. But don’t worry, we’ve got a few tips, tricks and general motivation to help you find someone to live with next year.

Before we talk about where you can potentially find your next flatmate. It is important to remember a few things.

Try not to put yourself under too much pressure. Some people just seem to fall into groups more easily and are quick to sort out these sorts of things. Just because it feels like your are being left behind, that isn’t the case. There are lots of other students who will be in the same boat as you, it’s just about taking a step back and thinking about what the best option is for you. 

It’s also important to remember, your flatmates don’t have to be your best friends in the world. Sure, it is nice to get along with them well, but worrying that you are not moving in with your best friends can sometimes pile on the stress. To be fair, you might have not even met your best university friend yet, so there is no point expecting that you should live with them.

Sure, it may not be your first thought - and if you are looking for ways to find flatmates you probably had a house-share in mind - but private student halls can actually offer a pretty solid solution. They will generally provide you with an en-suite room within an apartment so you will be living with other students, and you benefit from some great communal spaces and lots of student neighbours. Also, they are usually located in some pretty prime areas. It may not be your cup of tea, but it is certainly worth having a look at what’s on offer in your area. We actually work with many excellent providers - so have a look to see what’s available in your area.

A good place to head as they will often be able to put you in contact with other students at your university who are also looking for roommates. Depending on your university, they may be able to pair you with other students and let you browse through some of the available accommodation in your area.

We know what it is like to search for flatmates - the stress and anxiety that it can bring. ‘It shouldn’t be this tricky’ we thought, so we launched our flatmate profiles - a feature that allows those looking for a room to create a profile and say a little something about themselves. This way students can reach out directly to potential flatmates and decide whether they might be interested in living together. It really takes the stress out of flatmate searching, and allows you to find the people who you feel suit you best. Have a browse of our Flatmate profiles and don’t forget to create your own profile so that other potential flatmates can message you.

It can be a bit daunting. And let’s be honest, a bit awkward, talking to people about their housing arrangements for next year. But if you have a few people in mind who you would be interested in living with, it may be worth mentioning it casually, and seeing if they have already decided what they are doing. At the end of the day they may already have something planned, but they might also be uncertain, or even better, looking for someone too.

Are you currently looking flatmates? Tells us about your experience so far in the comments below.