News | Housing Hand

A kraft paper wrapped gift box tied with red and white striped string and a handwritten tag reading "Secret Santa," positioned in front of a blurred festive background featuring miniature red house decorations and twinkling lights. The presented package captures the anticipation and fun of exchanging budget-friendly secret Santa gift ideas during the holiday season.

10 Secret Santa gift ideas for students in 2025

Secret Santa is a uni classic and a great Christmas tradition. It’s fun to do with your flatmates, course group, or part-time job crew, finding

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A person's hands working on a laptop computer at a desk, with one hand gesturing while the other uses the trackpad, representing a student managing their finances online and researching practical money saving tips at university to help budget effectively during their first term and beyond.

Money saving tips in your first term at university

Starting university is one of the most exciting milestones in life! New friends, new city, newfound independence. And for many, this is the first time

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A bright, inviting living room viewed through lush green palm fronds in the foreground, featuring a grey sofa with olive green cushions, a wooden coffee table with a decorative bowl, beige curtains, a woven pendant light, botanical wall art, and natural textures throughout. The warm, personalized space demonstrates thoughtful styling and homey touches that illustrate practical ways of making your rental property feel like a home.

Making your rental property feel like home

Moving into a rental property is exciting, but it can also feel a little impersonal at first. White walls, basic furniture, and a lack of

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A blonde woman in a beige knit sweater stands at a modern kitchen sink looking downward, while two housemates interact in the background - a man in a dark sweater and a red-haired woman in a grey top holding a cup of tea. The bright, contemporary kitchen with white cabinets and large windows creates a welcoming atmosphere that captures the social dynamics and everyday moments of living in a shared house

First-time renters: 7 things no one tells you about living in a shared house

Living in a shared house has its pros and cons – there is no doubt about it. Friends at the end of the hallway, shared

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A young man with dark hair wearing a navy jacket over a white t-shirt is stepping through a white doorway while carrying a brown cardboard moving box labeled "KITCHEN." He appears to be looking upward as he navigates through the entrance. The scene takes place in a bright, minimally decorated room with white walls and a mirror visible on the wall, capturing the moment of moving into new accommodation and illustrating the practical steps involved in following a student moving checklist.

The ultimate student moving checklist

Congratulations! You’re about to start one of the most exciting chapters of your life: university. Most likely, this is your first time moving out of

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Two men sitting at a table in a bright office space, one wearing a cap and the other wearing glasses, reviewing documents together, illustrating the process of discussing and understanding what is a guarantor and the responsibilities involved in rental agreements.

What is a guarantor?

If you’re planning on renting in the UK, chances are you’ll come across the word guarantor. But what is it, and why is one so

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A bright, well-decorated student bedroom featuring colorful striped bedding, natural light from large windows, wooden furniture, and potted plants, demonstrating creative and affordable ways to decorate your student room on a budget while creating a comfortable living space.

Decorate your student home on a budget

Starting university is exciting – but stepping into your new student accommodation for the first time can sometimes feel… a little underwhelming. Bare walls, basic

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Two smiling women looking at a laptop together in a modern office environment, representing students researching and collaborating on important decisions such as how to choose student accommodation that best fits their needs and budget.

How to choose student accommodation

Choosing the right student accommodation is a big decision – especially if you’re moving away from home for the first time. Choosing where to live

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A smiling woman with glasses and dreadlocks talking on her phone in a bright, modern office space with large windows, representing accessible healthcare communication and the type of comprehensive support for tenants that services like Housing Hand's 24/7 GP and wellbeing programs provide.

Housing Hand launches 24/7 GP & wellbeing support for tenants

Moving out, living independently, managing finances and trying to juggle your studies – student life is a mixture of excitement and stress. At Housing Hand,

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Three diverse students sitting together on outdoor steps, with one reading from a book while the others listen and engage in discussion, representing the collaborative learning experience and community aspect of choosing to study in the UK.

Travelling to study in the UK? Here’s your essential checklist.

Moving to study in the UK isn’t just about what you’ll learn in the classroom; it’s a life-changing opportunity to experience a new culture, build

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A photograph showing someone wearing jeans kneeling on a bed whilst folding and organising colourful clothing including coral, white, and dark-coloured garments. The scene depicts the process of packing for university, with various items of clothing being sorted and prepared for student accommodation

Packing for university: Everything students need

Enrolling in university is an opportunity to gain an incredible education, experience new things, and make lifelong friends. But before your adventure awaits, there’s one

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A photograph of a man wearing a grey baseball cap and white shirt, speaking on a mobile phone while looking at a laptop screen in what appears to be a modern office environment with blurred signage for Housing Hand in the background. This image relates to professional guarantor services, where individuals can access expert support and guidance when securing rental housing in the UK.

What is a professional guarantor service?

Moving into your new accommodation in the UK should be part of an exciting new journey, not a stressful one. But for many young professionals

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A photograph showing a white miniature house model with a key attached, positioned next to a blurred piggy bank and scattered coins on a light surface with a soft, bright background. This image represents the various fees when renting in the UK, including deposits, guarantor fees, and other rental costs that tenants need to budget for when securing accommodation.

What are the fees for renting in the UK?

Renting a property in the UK can feel confusing if you’re new to the country or the rental process itself. With deposits, guarantor requirements and

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A close-up photograph of two people studying or working together at a table, with one person wearing a yellow jumper and another in a light blue shirt holding a pencil. The scene shows open books, notebooks, and a stack of coloured folders or binders in the foreground, creating a warm, educational atmosphere with soft natural lighting.

How does a UK rent guarantor work for international students?

Navigating and choosing accommodation for your studies is an overwhelming experience. Even more so if you’re an international student moving to the UK. But one

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A row of Victorian terraced houses with white facades, bay windows, and brown tile roofs stretching into the distance. The houses feature characteristic period architecture with ornate details, small front gardens with green shrubs and trees, and black railings. The scene is set against a bright blue sky with white clouds, typical of British residential streetscapes.

5 practical tips for finding the right rental property in the UK

If you’re moving from overseas, looking to study or work in the UK, or you’re just navigating the UK rental market for the first time,

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A stunning twilight view of London's iconic Westminster skyline featuring Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Bridge reflected in the Thames River, showcasing why London ranks among the best cities in the UK for its historic architecture and breathtaking urban landscapes.

Best student cities in the UK

The UK is an extremely popular destination for international students. According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) report in 2023/24, international students made up

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A person's hands typing on a laptop computer, representing someone researching important financial decisions such as understanding the risks of being a guarantor for rent before making commitments that could impact their financial security.

Risks of being a guarantor for rent

In the UK rental market, it’s common for landlords to request a rental guarantor from tenants, especially if the tenant is an international student or

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A photograph showing three people in what appears to be an office or meeting space, with a man in the centre wearing a dark hoodie, engaged in conversation with two other individuals - one in a light blue shirt and another in dark clothing. The scene suggests a consultation or advisory meeting, relating to how to find a guarantor services where people seek guidance on securing rental guarantors for housing applications

How to find a guarantor

When renting in the UK, landlords usually require tenants to have a rent guarantor. This is especially true for international students or working professionals who

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