How much will renting a house cost?

There’s a huge range of accommodation in Leeds, everything from shared houses to luxury studio apartments, so rent levels vary depending on where you choose to live, when you sign, and what’s included in the rent.

It’s also difficult to compare rent levels as some places have bills included and others may not.

In 2024-25 we would suggest budgeting between £100 and £150 for a room in a shared house.

Remember: paying a higher rent doesn’t mean you’re going to be getting a better property. It’s always good to shop around to see what you can get for your money. 

Landlords offer lots of different deals, but you need to look beyond the weekly rent figure.

When deciding to rent a place to live there are a number of things you will have to take into consideration in terms of finances, and where you choose to live and how much you decide to spend will depend on things such as:

• The amount of funding you get each week/month/term/year.
• If you have to pay your rent quarterly or monthly.
• If you have any other sources of income (for example, a part-time job).

Most housing contracts are for a 52 week period (from July 1st to June 30th), if you do sign up for a 52 week contract, try and negotiate with your letting agent/landlord for a summer rent concession.

But it’s not just about rent, you’ll also need to think about:

• Utility bills - ask current tenants how much they pay to get a good idea or look at the Energy Efficiency Rating
• If you’ve got ‘all inclusive’ rent, is there a ‘fair usage’ policy in the small print? You may not be able to have the heating on all the time.
• Will all inclusive work out cheaper than paying for bills separately?
• Is the internet or TV package included?

You will also need to budget for a deposit, if the landlord asks for one.

If you sign a joint agreement then you could be responsible for your housemates’ rent if they don’t pay.