Moving into student accommodation is an exciting milestone, marking a new chapter of independence, learning, and unforgettable experiences. To make your move as smooth as possible, protect your deposit, and keep living stress-free, follow this guide for our essential steps and top tips.
Things to do when you arrive
The first 48 hours are all about settling into your new room safely, logging your space's condition, and setting up your local health and support systems.
Take pictures
Do this before you start unpacking! Take clear photos of everything: walls, carpets, windows, appliances, mattress, and skirting boards. It'll help at the end of your contract when trying to get your deposit back so you don't end up paying for damage you didn't cause. For any additional housing help, check out our housing advice page.
Unpack early
Try to unpack as much as possible on day one. Leaving a mountain of unpacked bags or boxes for later ruins the excitement and makes finding daily essentials a nightmare.
Familiarise yourself with your new area
Find your nearest food shops, pharmacy, bus or tram stops, car parks (if you're expecting visitors), and key university buildings. Google Maps is your best friend - check walking times and transport routes. Some public transport services offer student tickets, or it could be worth researching a travel pass to get around. If you're from somewhere less hilly than Sheffield, remember to plan extra time and energy for your journeys!
Register with a local GP & Dentist
Don't wait until you're ill or need a prescription. Sign up with a local practice, like Hallam's on-campus medical centre (Porterbrook), as soon as you move in.
Set up bills (Returners/Private Rented)
If your private house rent isn't "bills included", take gas, electricity, and water meter readings on day one. Photos of the meters are best. Set up accounts with energy suppliers immediately so you aren't paying for the previous tenants' usage.
Submit Council Tax Exemption
Remind your household to submit your student council tax exemption certificates to the local council so you aren't billed by mistake.
Disability support
If you have a disability or neurodivergent condition and haven't set up student support, do it now! Get your learning contracts and accessibility adjustments in place early. Don't forget to look into the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) if eligible.
Update your address
Update your bank, online shopping accounts, and delivery apps (like Deliveroo/UberEats) to your new location. In halls, reception usually handles parcels; in private houses, ensure your front door or gate has a clear house number.
Check your contents insurance
Most halls include basic room insurance in the rent, but private rented houses usually don't. Check what is covered and consider top-up insurance for high-value items like laptops, instruments, or bikes.
Get active and involved
Scope out local Peak District walks, join a society, sign up to a sports club with Sport Hallam, or register for Hallam Active Gym to access facilities across City and Collegiate campuses. Sheffield has a lot to show off and starting with positive plans for your physical health will help kickstart your year.
Download accommodation apps
Check if your halls provider or private letting agency uses an app for reporting maintenance issues, paying rent, or tracking parcel deliveries.
Security & keeping your space safe
Freshers' term is busy, and unfortunately a prime time for opportunistic break-ins. A few quick habits can help keep your room and property secure.
Secure windows and doors
Always lock your bedroom door - even when just popping to the kitchen or bathroom. Living on the ground floor? Double-check all street-facing windows are locked before going to sleep or heading out for the day.
Lock up shared access points
Ensure main front doors, back gates, and communal entry doors latch fully behind you. Never let strangers "tailgate" into hall buildings or private apartment blocks without checking if they actually live there.
Keep valuables out of sight
Keep laptops, phones, and wallets off desks next to ground-floor windows where passersby can see them. Draw your blinds or put expensive kit away in a drawer when you leave your room.
Leave your address off keys and fobs
Never write your address or room number on keyrings or access fobs in case you lose them. If someone else finds them, you don't want them knowing which door they unlock!
Register your tech
Take photos of serial numbers on your tech and bike so it's easier for police to reunite you with your belongings if they ever get stolen.
Making your space feel like home
Transforming a standard student room or rented bedroom into a cosy sanctuary doesn't have to cost a fortune.
Play by the rules
Rented rooms must be handed back in their original condition. Use damage-free Command strips or Blu-tack (or pinboards provided in halls) for hanging posters and photos.
Stay fire safe
Avoid open flames - candles and incense are strictly banned in almost all halls and private tenancy agreements. Opt for battery-operated fairy lights or small bedside lamps to create a warm environment, but always remember to turn them off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
Get cosy
Soft furnishings like a small rug, throw blankets, and cushions instantly warm up a bare student room. Budget stores like B&M, Home Bargains, or Primark offer great finds that don't break the bank. Hint: Extendable curtain poles can be handy for hanging curtains if you're on the ground floor and need extra privacy or to block out excess light.
Picture perfect
Print photos of friends, family, and uni memories using apps like FreePrints or Snapfish to put up on wall, pinboards, etc. Reminders of home or new uni memories will make the space more personalised.
Green fingers
Houseplants or low-maintenance succulents improve air quality and mood. If you aren't green-fingered, realistic fake plants work just as well!
Make your bed every day
It seems like a small detail, but returning home to a neat bed after a long day of lectures makes a big mental difference.
Keep waste under control
Make sure you have a small waste bin in your room/bathroom and a dedicated laundry bag/basket. The laundry room might be across your building or complex so you'll need something to carry clothes in, plus it keeps your room tidier! In private houses, check your local council bin collection days so wheelie bins don't overflow on the pavement.
Keep it clean
Don't let cleaning jobs get on top of you. Try to do at least one small job a day, whether that's tidying your desk, doing your laundry, hoovering your floor etc. - this way you don't spend all your time cleaning and you'll feel better for it.
Establish house rules early
In shared flats or private houses, sit down with your flatmates in week one. Agree on cleaning rotas, quiet hours, fridge/cupboard space allocation, and how you'll split household essentials (like toilet roll and washing-up liquid) to prevent drama down the road.
Settling in takes a little bit of time, effort, and patience, but establishing these quick routines in your first week will pay off all year. If you ever run into housing issues, need advice on tenancy contracts, or just need support during your time at Hallam, remember we're here to help.