Renting property
Guidance on renting property.
How to rent in the UK and your legal rights as a tenant
Rental properties are advertised as fully furnished (ie with all the furniture and appliances), semi-furnished or unfurnished; unfurnished properties will typically be cheaper. Once you have found a place to call home, you will enter into a tenancy agreement with your landlord (either directly or through a letting agent) which sets out the terms of the rental and other mutual rights and obligations including a deposit.
Landlords are required by UK law to check your right to rent before the tenancy begins. You will be asked to provide appropriate documents to prove your right to rent for the whole of the tenancy period. If you have a visa or settled/pre-settled status you may be asked to provide a share code.
Depending on your circumstances and the terms of your employment with the University, you may opt for a short-term or long-term rental. If you have a college affiliation, your college may be able to offer you rented accommodation, at least on a temporary basis. The Graduate Accommodation Office has some accommodation for couples and families around the city and the University's Residential Lettings Team manages a portfolio of properties of varying sizes which may be rented by University staff. Private halls of residence such as the North Oxford Overseas Centre in Summertown, or Commonwealth Houseon Pembroke Street also offer private rooms.
Serviced short lets (all bills included, Wi-Fi access and linen changes) are offered by:
Homeshare Oxfordshire is a project run by the charity Age UK which matches older homeowners with people looking for affordable accommodation, in exchange for 10 hours a week of companionship and practical help.