Is University Living Legit?

Is University Living legit? Yes, University Living is legit but at the same time, some of their activities may be questionable. Note that University Living is a student housing marketplace that helps students find housing near universities. They have a 4.7 star rating on TrustPilot but this does not tell the full story. This is because it is possible to send in fake ratings and all—not saying they have pumped in some fakes—but you just have to be careful with some of the claims you might have read there.

If you are an international student in search of a place to move in, you probably came across University Living, which is managed by Indians. Generally, they are just another site that collects listings but they can be a good resource for you to find a place to move into.

Now, one red flag here is that they claim to offer a refund guarantee for bookings in cases where students don’t secure a place. However, I’ve noticed that they advertise this guarantee even for accommodations that don’t actually offer it. This seems odd, especially since private landlords, unlike student halls, typically don’t have the financial backing to provide such guarantees.

If you want to feel really safe, you can use University Living, browse the listings, and then search for the actual accommodation elsewhere to find the real advertisement. This way, you can verify the details yourself.

Get to Know University Living

University Living was established in 2015 and operates as a worldwide student housing platform. It helps students to find safe and suitable accommodations near their university campuses.

University Living does claim to offer a 24/7 support team comprising accommodation experts who will help students explore, compare, and book accommodations that align with their budget, preferred location, and other specific needs.

The primary focus of University Living is on student accommodation. According to their website, they have also developed a Property Management System to streamline business operations for its stakeholders. Their goal is to enhance the digital experience for students pursuing education abroad.

Is University Living Legit?

Yes, University Living is legit. I checked out University Living, particularly focusing on its content about Raleigh, NC, where I have lived. The site offers some housing options and general information about the city. It mentioned that everyone in Raleigh knows each other, which is quite an exaggeration because this is a capital city with nearly half a million people.

So, while University Living is a legit site and not a scam, it might not provide all the details you need if you’re planning to move for university studies. It’s a good starting point, but you should also explore other sources. Your university’s website is likely to have useful housing recommendations as well.

If you are moving to a new place, research thoroughly online. But, I’d advise against renting any place before you actually arrive and see it yourself. Meeting the landlord or future roommates in person is important too. You could even consider staying in an extended-stay hotel for a week or two while you look for the perfect accommodation. It’s better than committing to a place from a distance without seeing it first.

Ps. In the UK, if University Living asks you for an agent fee, that’s illegal as it is one of the banned tenancy-related fees. If so, consider another housing service known as AmberStudent—they are legit.

How to Find a Home on University Living

If a distant search for accommodation is your best option, use University Living, and follow these simple steps.

1. Go to the University Living website.
2. Look for your perfect home in the vast selection of over 1.5 million fully verified student rooms located near universities.
3. Compare and find the one that suits you best.
4. Book your room in just a few minutes and you are done. You can now focus on what really matters, such as preparing for your school to resume.

How to Spot Student Housing Scams

Looking for a good place to live that doesn’t cost too much can be really tough for international students. Sometimes, there might not be many options. Another thing that can be tricky is figuring out where to get reliable information about student housing. This can be especially hard if you’ve never had to find your own place before or if you’re not familiar with the area where you’re moving to. Lately, there have been more cases where students get tricked by fake housing offers. So, if you’re a student coming from another country, what can you do to make sure you don’t get caught in these kinds of traps?

1. Research

On the internet, many listing sites can seem legit or real, but they might not be. For example, when looking for a house or room to rent, you could come across fake listings. Some people often take information and pictures from other websites and use them to make fake ads. They might change the price and contact details.

You can avoid being tricked. First, use Google’s reverse image search to find out if the pictures in the ad were taken from another website and used for a fake ad. You can also search for the address on Google to check if the place really exists. This way, you can be more confident that the ad you’re looking at is legitimate.

2. Listings Priced Too Cheap

You found a student house online or on social media. It looks good and has pictures and all the information you need. It’s really cheap, and probably the cheapest you’ve seen. But if something seems too perfect and super cheap, there might be something wrong. Before you pay any money, you need to see the house yourself. Also, talk to your housing advisor in your university to help you make a good decision.

3. Potential Landlord Requests Payments Upfront

Sometimes, people may pretend they own a house or apartment, but they really don’t. They show this place to students and then pressure them to pay the money before seeing the place or meeting them. They might not even have a proper legal agreement for you to sign. This is something to watch out for.

Also, if a housing service asks you to send money using services such as Western Union, they are likely a scam. These services are risky because once you send the money, it’s hard to track or get back if something goes wrong.

4. Meeting the Owner of the Accommodation

You need to meet the property manager or landlord but it’s not a foolproof method. When you meet the person, try to get their full name so you can feel more confident about their identity. Some scammers might use fake names and identities, though. Ask questions and, if possible, search for their names online to see if they are really who they claim to be.

Cost of Living Calculator on University Living

So, the University Living has a Cost of Living Calculator that will help you to understand your financial needs and spending patterns. It is a customized estimate of living expenses in your chosen location.

Just enter some basic information, and voila! You get a detailed and accurate cost of living analysis. This will really help your financial planning while studying abroad.

Refer and Earn on University Living

University Living offers a “Refer and Earn” program where you can earn a $50 Amazon voucher for each successful referral booking. Here’s how it works:

1. You can share the special link with your friends or submit their details directly.
2. You earn the reward when your friend checks in at the property they booked through University Living.
3. Each time a friend settles in, both you and your friend receive a voucher. The exact value of the voucher isn’t specified.

This program is a part of University Living’s services, which include helping students find accommodation near universities globally.

Conclusion—Is University Living Legit?

Yes. Now, while University Living is legit, it’s just another site that collects listings. So, if you are moving abroad for your studies, you might be better off in halls for a year while you find your feet and look for your own apartment. Also, your university’s accommodation office will be able to advise you on suitable local letting agents.