Tenant

A guide on how to rent with friends in Brighton, from choosing housemates and budgets to contracts, guarantors, bills and a calmer shared home in practice.

Understand the Renters’ Rights Act for tenants, from periodic tenancies and rent rises to student house rules, notices and preparing for your next move.

Keep bills simple, predictable, and organised — all-inclusive or split systems reduce stress and make budgeting easier for student households.

Plan, pack, and check early; with preparation and tenancy overlap, moving is less stressful and your deposit is better protected.

Moving into private student housing brings freedom and responsibility — start searching early, communicate with housemates, and stay organised.

Regular readings prevent billing errors; digital or analogue meters can be read manually unless you have a smart meter, which submits usage automatically.

Close curtains, use draught excluders, ventilate, dry clothes properly, maintain steady heating, and add rugs — report serious issues like damp or broken boilers to your landlord.