Accommodation in Guildford
Overview
Not just a great place to study but a great place to live, too!
We recognise the importance of our students being able to make a home whilst studying at one of our campuses. Our Accommodation team is on hand to help students source accommodation that is right for them.
At ACM Guildford we work to offer our students a range of accommodation options in Guildford and the surrounding areas. With the mainline train station and local bus services just a two-minute walk away from our town-centre campus, there are excellent transport links to the nearby areas of Godalming, Aldershot and Woking, as well high-speed services to London and Portsmouth.
Your options
Fresher’s relocating to Guildford to start studying with us can choose from the following:
- Independently owned and managed Self-Catering Student Halls, 10 minutes away from ACM, door-to-door.
- Independently owned shared housing, located around Guildford.
More information on these options can be found below along with information on how to secure accommodation.
Need help? Don’t hesitate to contact our accomomdation team using the options to your left.
The Bridge Visit website
- Located just across the river, a minute’s walk from our main teaching rooms, The Bridge is right in the centre of Guildford, literally a stone’s throw from the heart of the action – a popular choice amongst ACM students.
- There are a variety of Studio and Ensuite rooms available at The Bridge, ranging from classic, premium, premium plus and deluxe. All the rooms available are En-suite and include a double bed, desk, chair, wardrobe, pin board, High-Speed Wi-Fi Internet and generous storage space.
- There are friendly staff on site at the property who are always ready to help out. There is also CCTV throughout the building for extra security, for those ‘just in case’ scenarios.
-
In addition there are cinema rooms on each floor, a fully soundproof music room where you can practice or use for a fun karaoke night with friends.
-
There are large kitchens for you to enjoy and expand your cooking skills with your friends, a common room and gaming hub area for you to relax and have fun, and two studyrooms and a co-working space for you to catch up on your deadlines and projects.
For: Students aged 18+
Bankside Student Living
Bankside Student Living is perfectly situated for those who are studying in Guildford. Boasting a variety of room types, Bankside Student Living is certain to suit every kind of student. If you’re looking to mingle with like-minded students, the cluster rooms are great for making new friends and creating a community feel. Cluster kitchens also benefit from having a TV for all to share. For those of you who prefer to live independently, the spacious studios with their own kitchen certainly tick the box.
Bankside Student Living has an epic number of facilities on-site to keep you occupied in your spare time. These include a free on-site gym, cinema room, gaming room, study pods, study rooms, games rooms and so much more.Bankside Student Living sits just over half a mile away from ACM in a picturesque location on the River Wey and overlooks a number of greenland areas.
Have a virtual browse around here
For: Students aged 18+
Scape
Scape is the #1 rated student accommodation in Guildford, with a 4.5-star Google rating and hundreds of rave reviews. There’s no need to wake up extra early to get to your classes, Scape is just a 10 min walk to ACM and 6 mins from Guildford train station. You can stay with friends in a shared apartment, have a studio or ensuite room all to yourself, it’s totally up to you. Each room comes with a comfy double bed, ensuite bathroom you don’t have to share, and ample storage. The on-site gym, cinema and study spaces are yours to enjoy anytime you like. Plus, you’ll have access to our jam-packed on-site events calendar, from Friday Night Socials to Open Mic Nights, to Yoga Classes and much more. There’s always something fun to look forward to at Scape Guildford, we can’t wait to welcome you to our community.
All bills and utilities are included & you don’t need a guarantor to book.
FOR: Students aged 18+
Guilden Village
Guilden Village, in Stoke Park, offers a fabulous mixture of studios and en suites located next to the scenic Stoke Park. This stunning space was designed and created as the perfect home away from home for students who want a collegiate lifestyle with an exceptional experience amongst a strong community.
Each room includes a ¾ double bed, Samsung air-conditioning and smart TV, safety deposit box, private study desk and ensuite bathroom. All students have access to the communal amenities including Samsung powered cluster kitchens, on-site gym, cinema room, Sky lounge, free shuttle bus (to and from accommodation) and a bike scheme.
Visit the website for special limited time offers on cashback, deposits and booking flexibility!
FOR: Students aged 16+
Ash Grove Court
Ash Grove Court is perfect for any student studying in Guildford. Just a 30 minute walk or 20-minute bus journey to ACM.
Boasting a variety of stylish Studios, ‘Twodio’, and 2 Bed Apartments, Ash Grove Court is certain to suit every kind of student. If you’d like to share with a friend, the 2 Bed Apartments create a community feel and offer your own private bedroom and study space along with a shared kitchen and bathroom. For those of you who prefer to live independently, the spacious studios certainly tick the box and provide your own private en-suite and kitchen. If you’d like a mix of both then go for a Twodio and you’ll have the privacy of your very own bedroom with an en-suite and share a kitchen between two.
Whichever room you choose, Ash Grove Court has an epic number of facilities on-site to keep you occupied in your spare time. This includes study spaces, a free gym, communal lounge and outdoor courtyard. They also have on-site laundry andeven take care of your utility bills and provide you with free Wi-Fi and broadband. Ash Grove Court can be your home away from home.
Please see below link to the booking page / website, showing rooms availability and prices:
For: Students aged 18+
https://www.crm-students.com/guildford/ash-grove
Private Rented Accommodation
- The majority of students studying at ACM live in private rented accommodation around Guildford.
- As a guide, average rents in Guildford tend to be between £550 and £700 (excluding bills) per month per person in Private Rented Accommodation. This is all dependent on location and services included.
- There are also a number of Estate and Letting Agents across Guildford with a selection of student housing available. Being proactive and clear on what you are looking for is very important when contacting agents and arranging viewings.
-
Most Letting Agents will require you to be in a group before you register with them, therefore it will be extremely useful to join the ACM Guildford Accommodation Student Group on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/506062879922638/(this is a closed group for students and for housing posts only). On this site you will be able to meet fellow Freshers, current students looking for housemates, discuss housing options and generally get ready for the start of the academic year. Should student houses be offered to us by local agents they will be posted on this site too. All details for local Letting Agents are also posted on the Facebook Page or available from accommodation@acm.ac.uk
- Subject to demand, April each year will herald the start of our Accommodation Networking Events which are held on a Saturday (please keep an eye out for an email/post on the facebook page to inform you of up and coming dates).
- Once an event is advertised, all applications for these events should be confirmed by email to accommodation@acm.ac.uk as there can sometimes be limited spaces.
- These events are a great way for you to network with fellow students looking to meet prospective, future housemates in order that the group formed can then sign on to letting agents to find a house together. For further assistance and information please email accommodation@acm.ac.uk
Student Pad
Student Pad advertises a wide range of student properties on their website offering a great choice of off-campus private accommodation. Live your best life in the coolest student properties by being able to access the right house for you. Please see the link below:
https://www.surreystudentpad.co.uk/Accommodation
To further assist you in your search we also recommend websites like:
What is a guarantor?
A guarantor is a third party, such as a parent or close relative, who agrees to pay your rent if you don’t pay it. Your landlord can ultimately take legal action to recover any unpaid rent from your guarantor.
Your landlord may want to check that your guarantor is able to pay the rent in the same way that they’ve checked your ability to pay. For example, by carrying out a credit check.
There is a legal requirement for a guarantee agreement to be in writing. The agreement sets out the guarantor’s legal obligations.
Is a guarantor only liable for unpaid rent?
It depends on what the agreement says. In many cases, a guarantee agreement also extends to other conditions under the tenancy, for example, any damage caused to the property.
If an agreement does extend to other conditions of the tenancy, then it’s best that the guarantor checks the tenancy agreement. This way they can see exactly what obligations they are guaranteeing.
Does the guarantor have to live in the UK?
Landlords will usually want a guarantor who lives in the UK, as it’s easier for them to take legal action against a UK resident if they need to.
This may present a problem for you if you’re an international student, so if you can’t get a UK-based guarantor, you may be asked to pay more rent in advance.
Guarantors of tenants who live in shared accommodation
If you share accommodation with other tenants under one tenancy agreement, that is, a joint tenancy, it’s common for the guarantee to apply to all of the rent, and not just your share.
It’s best to check the guarantee agreement carefully and ask the landlord or agent any questions if something is unclear. As soon as the agreement is signed, the guarantor is bound by its terms and conditions.
It may be possible to negotiate with the landlord for a variation to a guarantee agreement. This would ensure that the guarantor’s liability was confined to only your rent payments or any damage caused by you.
When does the guarantor’s liability end?
This depends on what the guarantee agreement says and/or what is agreed verbally.
Many guarantee agreements are open-ended and will refer to liability ‘under this tenancy/agreement’. This means that liability could extend beyond the fixed term, to any extension, as well as to certain variations such as rent increases.
If this is the case, the guarantor’s liability may continue for as long as the tenancy exists and will only end if the tenancy is legally ended by:
service of a valid notice to quit by the tenant, or by mutual surrender of the tenancy between the landlord and tenant, or a possession order from the court. It may be possible to argue that an open-ended guarantor agreement is not enforceable, but a court would have to decide this.
A variation in the tenancy agreement
A variation in the tenancy agreement could bring the guarantor’s liability to an end. For example, a change to the rent or a renewal of the tenancy would count as a variation unless: the agreement said that the guarantee applies to any future variations or renewals, or the guarantor consents to the variation.
Checking the guarantee agreement
It’s always best to check any guarantee agreement carefully so that the guarantor knows how and when their liability ends. It may be possible to negotiate a variation to the guarantee agreement so that the guarantor’s liability is limited. For example, by specifying the start and end dates the agreement applies to, such as the length of the original fixed term only.
Unfair terms in a guarantee agreement
If a guarantee agreement is in a standard form rather than one that has been negotiated individually, it may be possible to challenge a standard term if it is considered unfair.
A term may be unfair if it creates a ‘significant imbalance’ between the parties to the agreement. If a term is held to be unfair then it cannot be relied on and has no effect in law.
You can refer a possible unfair contract term to the local authority’s Trading Standards Officer, who should be able to provide further guidance.
Council Tax Discount: If you are renting privately, to apply for Council Tax Exemption or discounts you will need to provide your local council with proof that you are a student in Full Time Education:
You can obtain a Confirmation of Study Letter (which will exempt you from paying council tax) from your Campus Reception or by emailing enquiries@acm.ac.uk This can be provided to you once you have enrolled at the start of your first term and onwards. Should you move house during your studies a new letter, with updated address, will be required by your local council.
Points to remember:
- You are only exempt from Council Tax whilst you are in Full Time Study.
- You should advise ACM and the Council of any change of address as soon as possible.
- Do not ignore a Council Tax Bill – confirm your student status with the council.
- Council Tax discounts and exemptions can be backdated.
Please ensure you check your inventory as soon as possible. All landlords and Letting Agents should provide you with one of these documents. Inventories are reports that accurately describe the condition of the rental property so they can be used to assess claims for damages at the end of the tenancy. In cases where no move in inventory is produced, tenants are often exempt on damages claims.Inventories will also list furniture and white goods such as ovens and fridges and walls, floors and any outdoor areas etc. If you find any furniture damage or chips on wall paint please take a picture and send a report upon moving in. This way you will not have any money taken out of your deposit when you leave.
By law it is your Landlords responsibility to provide a copy of an up to date Gas Safety Record Certificate (should your property have a gas boiler or gas central heating then you should ensure that you have been provided with one) and a valid EICR Certificate (Electrical Installation Condition Report) at the start of your tenancy. Please check all appliances are working correctly and ensure that you are aware of the maintenance reporting procedure should anything go wrong. Always report all leaks, damp patches and any other problems of this nature in a timely manner. It is always a good idea to take a picture of the problem area and send it to your landlord/letting agent and keep a record or the date the report was sent for future reference.
Please remember that you will need to set up an efficient and fair way of sharing the payment of utility bills amongst all sharers (unless you are renting a property where bills are inclusive in the monthly outgoing payments). There are companies available online who will budget, bundle and manage all utility bills such as fusedbills.co.uk but do shop around to see which one would be suitable for you all.
In order to ensure a harmonious and hassle free household it is always a good idea to set up a cleaning rota between you and your housemates. It goes without saying that living in a clean and clutter free environment is essential for your wellbeing.
Cleaning up after yourselves in communal areas is extremely important to the whole household. Check your local council website for rubbish and recycling bins collection dates and ensure you are consistent in putting out your rubbish. Most rubbish and recycling collections alternate each week. Contain your rubbish well otherwise it can attract vermin, insects and other pests.
Being a Good Neighbour
ACM is committed to maintaining the best possible relationships with the local community. We are also aware that the vast majority of our students contribute greatly and in many ways to the local community and local economy. ACM respects the independence of its students; it is not our job to supervise the behaviour of people who are legally adults, however in some circumstances we do intervene.
When you move in, please take the time to introduce yourself to your neighbours and request that they communicate directly with you should they have any problems.This will help resolve any misunderstandings before they get serious and are reported elsewhere. It is also a great way of getting to know your neighbours, for example, they may be happy for you to rehearse in the house at certain times of the day but not others.
Keep your music down to reasonable levels, especially late at night. If you plan to have a small gathering in your house please warn the neighbours beforehand and make every effort to ensure that you are not disturbing them with loud music or your guests shouting loudly outside when leaving your house.
Being a good neighbour in your community is not difficult and will ensure you have a happier stay in your home away from home.
Be safe! Don’t share any personal or banking information with anyone unless you trust the individuals and agencies involved.
Useful Links
My Property Guide website has a section solely dedicated to students renting:
https://www.mypropertyguide.co.uk/students-guide-to-private-rented-accommodation/
The NUS (National Union of Students) regularly publishes informative articles giving advice to students seeking accommodation:
https://www.nus.org.uk/student-housing-hub
Shelter is a national housing charity that gives out full information on renting in the private renting sector and has lots of information and tips including your consumer rights.