Fantastic, nothing to add. Mathilde managed to find us an apartment that met all our criteria. Thank you so much for your help and professionalism.
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Renting privately in Cambridge involves several cost components that international students should budget for carefully.
Cambridge in brief for international student renters:
Finding long-term rental accommodation in Cambridge as an international student requires careful planning, a realistic budget, and a good understanding of the local rental market. Cambridge is one of the UK's most sought-after student cities, and competition for well-located, affordable housing is intense — particularly in the months leading up to the start of the academic year. Whether you are enrolling at the University of Cambridge or Anglia Ruskin University, understanding the different neighbourhoods, typical rent levels, and legal framework for renting in England will help you secure the right home for your studies.
The private rental market in Cambridge is governed by English tenancy law, including the Tenant Fees Act 2019, which bans letting agency fees and caps the security deposit at five weeks' rent. Full-time students are also exempt from Council Tax, a significant saving compared to non-student renters. This guide covers everything you need to know about renting long-term in Cambridge: from the best student neighbourhoods and typical monthly budgets to the documents required for a rental application and the most common pitfalls to avoid.
Cambridge is a compact university city in the east of England, home to the University of Cambridge (founded 1209, 31 colleges, ranked #6 QS World 2026) and Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), which together attract students from over 185 countries. The private rental market is highly competitive, with average rents reaching £1,800 GBP/month across all property types (ONS, April 2026); students sharing a house in areas such as Mill Road, Romsey Town, or Chesterton can find rooms from approximately £520 GBP/month. Under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, letting agency fees are banned in England and the security deposit is capped at five weeks' rent. Full-time students are exempt from Council Tax in Cambridge, reducing monthly outgoings. Starting the accommodation search early — ideally several months before the academic year begins — is essential given the high demand for student housing in the city.
Finding long-term rental accommodation in Cambridge as an international student requires careful planning, a realistic budget, and a good understanding of the local rental market. Cambridge is one of the UK's most sought-after student cities, and competition for well-located, affordable housing is intense — particularly in the months leading up to the start of the academic year. Whether you are enrolling at the University of Cambridge or Anglia Ruskin University, understanding the different neighbourhoods, typical rent levels, and legal framework for renting in England will help you secure the right home for your studies.
The private rental market in Cambridge is governed by English tenancy law, including the Tenant Fees Act 2019, which bans letting agency fees and caps the security deposit at five weeks' rent. Full-time students are also exempt from Council Tax, a significant saving compared to non-student renters. This guide covers everything you need to know about renting long-term in Cambridge: from the best student neighbourhoods and typical monthly budgets to the documents required for a rental application and the most common pitfalls to avoid.
Cambridge is one of the more expensive cities in the UK for student renters, driven by high demand from two major universities and a limited housing supply. The University of Cambridge estimated a total monthly living cost of £1,305 GBP/month for the 2026–27 academic year, calculated in May 2025 using Bank of England inflation forecasts. This figure covers accommodation, food, study materials, and personal expenses. The average private rent across all property types in Cambridge reached £1,800 GBP/month in April 2026 (ONS, Price Index of Private Rents). Students sharing a house in more affordable neighbourhoods such as Romsey Town or Chesterton can significantly reduce their individual housing costs compared to renting alone in the city centre.
International students searching for long-term rental accommodation in Cambridge frequently make the following avoidable mistakes:
Fantastic, nothing to add. Mathilde managed to find us an apartment that met all our criteria. Thank you so much for your help and professionalism.
Gaëlle provided excellent service. We finally found accommodation that suited us. At first, I was a little pessimistic, but in the end, everything went well.
Justine was an invaluable help. She quickly found us a rental that perfectly matched our requirements. Her availability, kindness, and responsiveness are undeniable. I highly recommend her services!
Thank you to Aude for her availability, follow-up, and smile! A room was found for my daughter very quickly. Thank you for all the information, answering our many questions, and for your support right up to the key handover! I highly recommend her.
Mill Road, multicultural and bohemian, is popular with ARU students. Romsey Town and Chesterton offer better value, with easy cycling to both universities; Newnham is upmarket, Arbury more affordable.
Also use the housing services of the university and ARU. A local Home Finder views homes for you, with photos or video.
Many Cambridge landlords require a UK-based guarantor. Without one, services such as Housing Hand, recommended by ARU, can act as guarantor for a fee.
Also prepare your passport, proof of enrolment and proof of funds. Pay nothing until you have seen the home live with the landlord or agent. The Home Finder helps you put this application together.
Start three to four months before you move in, especially for September: demand is high all year round and the market moves fast.
Plan from the outset for the deposit, the first month and your supporting documents. Video viewings are acceptable from abroad, but insist on a live viewing with the landlord or agent.
A room in a house share costs on average about GBP 585 a month excluding bills, and a studio in the city centre GBP 1,050 to 1,250 a month. Add GBP 80 to 120 a month for energy and water in a house share.
The deposit is capped at five weeks' rent, agency fees are banned, and a household of full-time students is exempt from Council Tax.
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