Most Durham first-years spend their first year in halls, which students there call “college”.
For second year, many move out into a private house with friends.
The move brings new responsibilities: rent, bills, a landlord and a group of housemates to organise.
This guide is for first-years planning the switch and for parents or guarantors helping them. By the end, readers will know when the house hunt starts, how costs will change, what contracts involve, and what living in a house is like day to day.
When the House Hunt Starts
Durham has a reputation for an early house hunt. Students describe a Michaelmas term housing rush that has been part of Durham life for years, partly fuelled by agents building up worries about a shortage.
The University’s advice is calmer. Its Housing Hub says there is enough student housing in the city to meet demand, so there is no need to rush before settling in, or to queue outside letting agents.
So how can students get the timing right?
Go to your college’s housing talk. Your JCR, welfare team or Livers Out Rep can tell you when it’s on.
Agree on your group and a per-person budget before booking viewings.
Check landlord reviews from other students before you commit.
What changes in a house
The biggest change is running a household. In halls, bills are covered, and meals may be too. In a house, housemates handle the food shop, cooking, cleaning and paying bills. Students also get to choose who they live with, and will have a living room to share.
For those looking at shared student houses in Durham, Student Cribs has houses for second and third-year students in the city, with a tenant portal for reporting repairs and keeping track of rent.
Before any viewings, talk as a group about the practical side. Who’s a good cook? Who’ll set up the bills? Getting this sorted early saves arguments in October.
How costs will change
Weekly costs often look lower in a house, but more of them land on the tenants. College rooms for 2026/27 are listed from roughly £171 to £289 per week.
These fees usually cover bills, and sometimes meals. A private house share in Durham averages around £122 per person per week, excluding bills.
When comparing student accommodation in Durham, add up everything a house will cost over the year:
Rent: weekly rent multiplied by the weeks you’ll pay.
Bills: energy, water and Wi-Fi typically add a few hundred pounds a month for the whole house.
Food: your own weekly shop, now that college meals have stopped.
Council tax: if everyone in the house is a full-time student, apply to Durham County Council for an exemption.
Living with housemates
Living with friends is different from sharing a hall kitchen. Small things add up quickly: whose turn it is to take the bins out, who used the last of the milk, and who gets the big room. Settle the room question before signing, and if rooms differ in size, think about splitting the rent unevenly.
In the first week, agree a few house rules:
a cleaning rota that everyone can stick to
how and when you’ll split the bills
quiet hours during exam periods
A shared group chat or bill-splitting app keeps money conversations simple and fair.
Location and getting around
Where students live changes their daily routine. The University notes that the city centre is always in demand and often more expensive.
Popular student areas include the Viaduct, Claypath, Gilesgate and Neville’s Cross, each with a different walk to the Science Site, Elvet and the colleges.
Cheaper student houses in Durham are often further out. Some shared rooms in Gilesgate and Neville’s Cross start from around £90 to £103 per week. Durham is also hilly, so walk the route from any house to your department before signing, ideally at the time you’d usually set off.
When a house may not suit
A house isn’t the right choice for everyone. Staying in college as a returner can suit students who prefer bills and meals included, or whose friendship group isn’t settled yet.
Signing a contract with people you’ve known for a few weeks is a big commitment. Durham SU warns that a rushed atmosphere can push students into a decision they regret, and they may end up paying more than a house is worth.
Settling into a first house
Moving out of halls is a big step, but it’s manageable with some planning. Agree a budget as a group, ask plenty of questions at viewings, and read your contract before signing. Once the keys are in hand, set house rules early so the year gets off to a good start.