Whether you live in the UK or are an international student relocating from abroad, moving to London to study at London Contemporary Dance School (LCDS) is an exciting moment. However finding accommodation in London can seem daunting especially if you are not familiar with the city or are trying to find something while living overseas. We are here to help you guide through this journey, and break down some key information to make this process easier for you.
When choosing your accommodation, you may consider two main factors:
- Location
- Cost
OUR LOCATION
LCDS is located within a 5-minute walk from two major railway and underground stations - Kings Cross St Pancras or Euston Station (zone 1). Londoners refer to city locations in relation to the “travel zones” - you can read more about them here.
We are in Zone 1. Accommodation options in Zone 1 are among the most expensive in the city. The further you move out through the zones, the cheaper the housing tends to be. Fortunately, London has a large and efficient public transport system, which means living in Zone 2-6 farther away from the school isn’t a problem.
Our proximity to Euston and Kings Cross St Pancras, along with several bus connections at our doorstep, makes the rest of London extremely accessible with fast and easy journeys despite the distance.
We have broken down all your transport options from Euston and Kings Cross St Pancras below. The easiest starting point to pick out areas to search for accommodation is to understand the transport system, and find areas on the Tube or Bus routes that are served by the two stations. For example: you will soon find that a Zone 4 area that looks quite far from LCDS is actually only a 20-min tube ride into one of these stations.
Euston Station
Euston station serves the following transport links:
Underground Lines
Northern (Black line)
Victoria (Light Blue line)
London Overground (Orange line)
Bus Routes
1, 18, 30, 68, 73, 91, 205, 253, 390
National Rail
Avanti West Coast (intercity trains between London, the Midlands, North West England, North Wales, and Scotland)
West Midlands Railway (trains between London, the Midlands and North West England.)
Caledonian Sleeper (sleeper trains between London and Scotland)
Kings Cross St Pancras
Kings Cross St Pancras serves the following transport lines:
Underground
Northern (Black line)
Victoria (Light Blue line)
Piccadilly (Dark Blue line)
Circle (Yellow line)
Hammersmith & City (Pink line)
Metropolitan (Maroon line)
London Overground (Orange line)
Bus Routes
10, 17, 30, 45, 46, 59, 63, 73, 91, 205, 214, 259, 390 and 476
National Rail
London North Eastern Railway (trains between London, Yorkshire and Scotland)
LUMO (trains between London and Edinburgh)
Grand Central (trains between London, Yorkshire and Sunderland)
Hull Trains (trains between London, Stevenage and Hull)
Great Northern (trains between London and Cambridge)
Thameslink (trains to Brighton, Gatwick Airport, Victoria Station)
Downloads List
TYPES OF ACCOMMODATION AND COSTS
The next step is to understand types of accommodation options available and what most students go for.
The two main types are Private Rented Accommodation and Private Halls of Residence
The main difference between the two, is that rented accommodation is like living by yourself (or with housemates/friends) in a private flat or house. Household bills may or may not be included depending on what the landlord provides. There are several options to choose from within the umbrella of private rented accommodation. Read below to see which one appeals to you
Halls of Residence are student halls often set up like communal dormitories, with individual bedrooms alongside shared kitchens and bathrooms. They are often structured in “blocks” or “floors” with the shared areas in the middle of a corridor and the bedrooms either side. Sometimes individual rooms have private kitchenettes and/or a sink for washing. You’ll probably have your own cupboard in the kitchen and share fridge space. Rent often includes all household bills and sometimes a cleaning service. Some halls have amenities such as a receptionist/concierge, gym, Wi-Fi, launderette, café, and social spaces. Due to all the extra services provided, halls are often more expensive than shared private rented accommodation, but the benefit is that everything is often provided within your rent.
Flatshare/Houseshare with LCDS Students
A popular housing arrangement is to group with other LCDS students (housemates) and share a flat or house. You will usually have your own bedroom and share amenities and common areas such as a kitchen, dining room, bathroom etc. Depending on the property, you may have shared access to a garden. Sharing with a group is more cost effective than living alone as the rent will be cheaper and all household bills will be split between the group. You might split the rent equally, or sometimes individuals with a smaller bedroom pay less. Rent is paid to your landlord or a rental agency, with some agreements including household bills (water, gas, electricity, Wi-Fi, council tax) but more commonly those bills are paid separately.
“I lived in a flatshare all three years of LCDS, and it was definitely my favorite option as I had my own space but did live with other people/friends, so found that I still had a great sense of community, and to be honest, fun! For me, I really enjoyed living with other students from LCDS, as it meant we all had similar schedules, and often a like-minded approach. Cooking together, going out together, hanging out on the weekends, and talking about dance/having similar experiences throughout the week — so much fun!”
Make sure to post an ad on Accommodation LCDS Facebook group and keep an eye on people who might be leaving their flat or searching for a new flatmate. You can also buddy up with some of the offer holders via the Offer Holder chats and meet & greet sessions, and try to find a house together. Our Accommodation Support Workers can assist you with house viewings or any advice you need as well.
Websites where you can find rooms/flats/houses to rent:
Open Rent
More information about documents and legalities involved in renting privately can be found in the Things You Need to Know section.
Flatshare/Houseshare with Others
Effectively the same as above, the difference with this option is that you group with other students or individuals who don’t study at LCDS. There is a huge student population in London, with several university campuses close to The Place – plenty of people seeking accommodation. This can be a good option for those who want the ‘student housemate’ experience but prefer to have some distance or time away from life at LCDS. Your housemates will be studying different subjects. You should always meet potential housemates in person and ensure you’re comfortable in their company before agreeing to live with them.
You may also find rooms to rent on websites mentioned above, where you will be joining an existing household, most likely replacing someone who is moving out. It is important to do house viewings and meet the people you will be sharing the house with to ensure it is a safe and comfortable environment for you. Our Accommodation Support Workers can support you with this.
Host Families & Home Shares
Host Families are typically those who have a spare room to rent. You live with the family, which can feel like an easier transition than flat sharing or living alone, especially if you’re moving out of your family home for the first time. You still live independently, but instead of sharing common spaces with housemates, you share with the family so the atmosphere might be more homely. Every situation will be different. Some families have young children, others are older people whose children have left home. They might have pets. They often provide meals, which can be nice after a long day at school. Host Families might suit international students who want to experience family life in London or perhaps need somewhere temporary to live whilst they settle into school and look for housemates.
Home Shares are an arrangement where you share a home with a person who needs help at home in exchange for a low rent (approx. £150/month). You help the person with light domestic tasks for around 10 hours a week. This can be a good option if you have a small budget and want to live in a place where you can build a relationship with and be helpful to a person of a different age than you, living in a different situation. Always research thoroughly. Homesharers might be older people with dementia, disabled adults, or people with learning difficulties or mental health issues. You will have to judge whether you can take on the extra responsibility around your studies and social life. It can be very rewarding and a unique experience for the right person.
“I lived for six months at this lady’s house. She was renting her two children’s bedrooms since they both went away for their studies. It was nice to be in such a beautiful and cosy house, where I could enjoy the little garden, the big kitchen and living room as well as the cat. Sometimes it was bothering me to not be able to invite a friend over and to have to ask permission for them to come. But since it was temporary, I didn’t mind too much. Overall, I keep great memories living in that house and I’m happy it was my first home in London. Now that I live in a flat with random people, I feel less constrained since there are no specific rules in the flat. But I miss how clean and organised the house was since now I have to remind all my flatmates to clean once in a while.”
Websites where you can find host families or home shares
Host Families
Home Shares
Living by yourself
This is likely to be the most expensive option but for those with the budget, living by yourself can be a great way to live in London. School life can be demanding, and some students will prefer to have their own home to come back to everyday and recharge by themselves.
“As an international student, I was not about to move to a new country AND live with strangers. My OCD and autism could never. I loved living alone. The only cooking I could smell was my own, it was quiet, no unwanted guests, I could do laundry or clean whenever I wanted, if I didn’t feel like doing the dishes one evening I could leave them in the sink until the morning. Things stayed as clean as I could keep them. As an autistic person and introvert, I am easily overstimulated. Training at school is particularly emotionally and physically demanding. Home needed to be a safe space. The plan / agreement I made with my parents was to drop big money on living arrangements in the first year for peace of mind, and then move in with folks I had gotten to know in second year. Though the switch from living alone to with people also has a huge learning curve. I lived in a nice area in Central close to Kings Cross Station with 24-hour door monitoring via camera and doorman. However, I never went out late because I knew that if anything happened to me, there would be no roommates to check on me. I now live with 2 friends. They always text me if I’m out past 11:00pm. Also, living alone is expensive anyway you cut it, but being able to focus on school and not be stressed out at home may be worth your money.”
“I would say that the biggest part I like about living by myself is having space and time for my own, which is very important to me. However, I do sometimes wish there would be someone I could go back home with after rehearsals!”
Websites where you can find rooms/flats/houses to rent:
Warehouses
Warehouse living is a way of life for people who live and work in converted warehouses. The spaces are often communal and flexible and are popular within creative communities. You will likely be living in an urban community of people, possibly with shared amenities but every situation is different. Rooms and shared spaces can be more spacious than standard housing and residents often use their areas as creative workshops. They are popular with musicians and artists and might be noisy with people rehearsing or playing music. The vibe is often relaxed and for the right person it can be an interesting and different way to live.
“I have lived in a warehouse in South Tottenham during two years of my study time at LCDS. There was eight rooms, so quite a lot of people but the communal area/kitchen were very spacious which I think is rare here in London, and it was so nice for me to have a bigger space compared to my previous flat. We could spend time in the common area eating together, talking, chilling, I could invite friends over for dinner and have a little space in my room dedicated to read and do yoga. There was only one bathroom for 8 people which sometimes was a problem but surprisingly not very often. The units around and the people living in that road are very sociable with each other and there's an interesting vibe here. If you like parties and to be among other creative people and live more anarchistic, this is a good place for that, but if you like privacy, silence and calmer moments this is not ideal, I personally struggled a bit with that sometimes! There are good and bad sides. I would say it was good for me to experience that for a period of time, but now I feel the need to have a little more privacy and quietness.”
Places to find warehouses:
London Warehouses And Creative Spaces Facebook Group
Private Halls of Residence
Whilst LCDS doesn’t have its own Halls of Residence, there are private, independent options for students who want the “halls” experience.
They are often structured in “blocks” or “floors” with the shared areas in the middle of a corridor and the bedrooms either side. Sometimes individual rooms have private kitchenettes and/or a sink for washing. You’ll probably have your own cupboard in the kitchen and share fridge space.
Rent often includes all household bills and sometimes a cleaning service. Some halls have amenities such as a receptionist / concierge, gym, Wi-Fi, launderette, café, and social spaces. Almost everything you need in one building, and shops are usually close by. Due to all the extra services provided, halls are often more expensive than shared rented accommodation, but the benefit is that everything is often provided within your rent.
Halls provide community-style living where you’ll mix with other students all having a similar experience. They are typically where first year university students live before they move into rented accommodation with friends in their second and third years.
Websites where you can find options for Halls of Residence
Our partnership with The Londonist
LCDS has partnered with The Londonist who offer flexible student accommodation options that can be great as a short-term solution whilst you get settled into school life and explore the housing market. They offer short and long-term lettings ranging from as short as 2 weeks up to 51 weeks. They provide a variety of payment options which can help make your stay more affordable.
They have a large portfolio of rooms located in Central London, so you will likely find somewhere close to school, making your transition from your family home to independent living that bit easier.
“The reason why I love Londonist is because they really try to make the transition period from coming from another country to live in London as easy as possible. And I really like how Londonist handles the payment process, because I am from another country and the currency is different if I have any problem with the payment process, they are always helpful and understanding. Also, their website is really helpful and clear.” - Portobello Residence
We highly recommend this option for our international students who need to not only familiarise themselves with the new environment at LCDS, but also London and the UK. Our Accommodation Support Workers can help you navigate how to book accommodation via The Londonist if you run into any issues.
Things You Need to Know
Guarantors
The UK housing market typically requires you to have a guarantor although it is up to the landlord’s discretion. Guarantors can be a parent or legal guardian, and their role is to agree that in the event you do not or aren’t able to pay your rent, they will. It gives some security to your landlord that they will not lose money if you’re unable to pay rent. Many times, landlords require a guarantor to be a UK based person or citizen.
Guarantor options
Provide your own UK guarantor – a parent/legal guardian/close relative/anyone you can trust who is a permanent resident in the UK and can provide financial suitability. They will sign a contract, which is usually an easy process. Often, the guarantor will be required to prove their financial suitability with recent bank statements.
Home Country Guarantor - if you are an international student and it is not possible for you to have a UK guarantor, speak to your landlord. Sometimes they will accept a guarantor from outside the UK but the process might be slightly different. There are sometimes challenges to these processes, but speaking directly to landlords always helps, and LCDS can assist if needed.
Rent replacement - Sometimes international students can opt to pay a few months of rent in advance to give the landlord the same sense of security without having to have a guarantor. For example, paying 3 or 6 months’ rent ahead of time. Be sure to have any agreements in writing when you sign contracts or tenancy agreements. Our Accommodation Support Workers and student support team can help you navigate this process if needed. There are also services that allow you to pay for the guarantor throughout the year, rather than having to pay all your rent in advance. Check them out at the links below:
UK Guarantor
LCDS acting as a Guarantor - In the event none of the other options work for you and your circumstances, LCDS can provide a service to act as guarantor for non-UK or international students. Email studentsupport@theplace.org.uk for more information.
TRANSPORT
The transport options available to you for your daily commute from home to LCDS are:
(Cheapest to most expensive)
- Walk
- Cycle
- Bus - oyster card options for student discount
- Tube - oyster card options for student discount
- National Rail - rail card options for student discount
Understand London transport - https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/about-tfl/what-we-do
Bills
When you’re researching accommodation, make sure you include bills in your budget. Some bills can be included in the rent payment – check with landlords when you speak to them.
- Electricity/Gas
- Water
- Wi-Fi
- TV Licence
Split the Bill allows you to pay all your bills in ONE payment to their service rather than organising separate payments with your housemates. They have multiple options where you can sign up for their energy packages. It can include your water, electricity/gas, TV license, and broadband.
Council Tax
UK Council tax is a local tax which helps councils pay for the services they provide such as maintaining roads and street lighting, street cleaning, and rubbish collection.
Students in full time education are exempt from council tax payments. You will need to contact your local council and send proof of each person’s student status. Non-students living in the same house will need to pay. If you are renting with non-students and they ask you to split their portion of council tax with you, you are entitled to refuse as per the law.
Deciding where to live and finding your new London home
With all this information, you are now well-equipped to find accommodation that suits your needs. However finding accommodation in London can be an overwhelming experience even with all the knowledge of the city. We are here to help and have Accommodation Support Workers who are on-hand to advice and even go for house viewings on your behalf if you live in a different city or country.
Most of our students live north of LCDS along Victoria, Piccadilly or the Northern Underground Lines which bring them directly into Kings Cross or Euston Stations. From there you can walk to LCDS in less than 5-10 minutes.
Students pay between £600 - £900 a month for a room in a shared house. The nearer you are to central London the more expensive it will be, but you will spend less on travel or could even choose to cycle.
Some areas we recommend based on anecdotal experience (commute = on the tube; there will be time added based on how far you live from the tube station for that area)
Finsbury Park - Zone 2, Victoria Line and Piccadilly Line, 6-10 minutes commute into Kings Cross or Euston
Turnpike Lane - Zone 3, Piccadilly Line, 15 minutes commute into Kings Cross
Wood Green - Zone 3, Piccadilly Line, 17 minutes commute into Kings Cross
Bounds Green - Zone 3+4, Piccadilly Line, 17 minutes commute into Kings Cross
Seven Sisters - Zone 3, Victoria Line, 6 minutes commute into Kings Cross or Euston
Tottenham Hale, Blackhorse Road, Walthamstow Central - Zone 3, Victoria Line, 10-15 minutes commute into Kings Cross or Euston
Pimlico, Vauxhall, Stockwell, Brixton - Zone 2, Victoria Line, 10-15 minutes commute into Kings Cross or Euston
West Finchley, Finchley Central, East Finchley - Zone 3-4, Northern Line, 20-25 minutes commute into Kings or Euston
Archway, Zone 2, Northern Line, 10-15 minutes commute into Kings or Euston
Clapham North, Clapham Common, Clapham South, Tooting Broadway - Zone 2-3, Northern Line, 20-30 minutes commute into Kings Cross or Euston
If you have found somewhere to live and are looking for housemates to complete the household or you are looking to live with others at LCDS, the Facebook LCDS Freshers Page is a great way to put the feelers out. All offer holders are added to the page once they accept their offer on one of our courses.
University of London Housing Services
LCDS has a relationship with University of London Housing Services. This service can be used for contract checking or any legal disputes that you might have with a landlord or agency. They also have a large database of housing including shared houses and halls of residence and the website has lots of advice and housing events and webinars, usually in March every year.