Student House-Hunting In 2026? Spot These Red Flags Before You Sign!

Finding the perfect student house is exciting, until damp walls, broken windows or surprise bills turn your dream into a nightmare. Whether you’re hunting with friends or flying solo, here are six warning signs to watch out for so you don’t end up regretting your choice.

1. Damp, mould or freshly painted ‘fix-ups’

That musty smell could mean trouble. Discoloured patches on walls or ceilings often point to poor ventilation or hidden leaks. Fresh paint might feel safe, but sometimes it’s the landlord covering up a damp issue. A quick tap-test, sniff, or asking the landlord directly can save you headaches later.

2. Old windows that let in chill (and noise)

Single-glazed windows? Not ideal. They’re cold, noisy and inefficient when winter hits. Look for modern PVC frames and check if the windows shut properly. In a student house, you’ll appreciate peace when deadlines loom and you’re trying to recover from a late night. Even with double glazing, look out for condensation on the inside of the window or between the panes as this can be a sign that the windows are way past their best...

3. Doors that don’t shut properly

Sounds trivial? Think again. A dodgy door lets in drafts, background noise and weakens your security. When you’re trying to sleep, study or relax, it matters. Give every internal and external door a swing and closing test while you're viewing.

4. Weak water pressure or dodgy boiler

Cold, slow showers don’t just ruin your morning, they signal possible plumbing or heating problems. Ask when the boiler was last serviced (you can even ask to see the safety inspection certificate for proof) turn a tap on while you’re there and check if the water pressure feels normal. A good landlord will have records and won’t shy away from showing them.

5. Sub-par WiFi speeds

Yep, this one’s key. If streaming, gaming or Zoom sessions are part of your life, slow WiFi can be a major annoyance. If you’re sharing a house, ask how many tenants are on the connection or if there’s ‘student-friendly’ broadband included.

If the router’s tucked away or outdated you can ask for upgrades, but also note that not all landlords will include wifi in the rent, so you can always sort out your own package - so be sure to check out all our broadband deals, like SuperFast Fibre 2 broadband from BT for just £29.99 a month, NOW Full Fibre 100: £26 per month and Virgin Media's M125 Fibre Broadband for £23.99 a month for the first 24 months!

6. A dodgy neighbourhood vibe

Location is more than just walking distance to campus. While your budget will often mean you can't afford to live in the swankiest parts of town, it's good to be on the lookout for things like high levels of litter, run-down or abandoned properties and frequent police presence, all things that can hint at what an area is like to live in. Again, talking to current tenants will give you great insight, or even getting invited to local residents groups on social media if you can!

Our ultimate house-hunting tips...

• Keep your eyes sharp during viewings - it’s easy to get dazzled by a garden or en-suite and miss the essentials.

• Bring a checklist of these six red flags and use it during visits.

• Ask honest questions of both the landlord and the current occupants if there's people living there - feedback from current residents really is valuable as they are likely to give you a really honest picture of what actually living in the property is like!

• Remember: signing means committing. If something doesn’t feel right now, it probably won’t magically get better later.

• For real peace of mind don't forget that you can get free Contents Cover + Wellbeing Services with every bills package you take out at HOUSR with TOTUM!