Private Accommodation

When choosing private accommodation it’s important to stay within a reasonable commuting distance from Birmingham Newman University to ensure you can easily attend classes and engage with campus life.

We recommend that students find accommodation in the Birmingham region to avoid long and tiring commutes.

Location and commuting

The Selly Oak area is a popular choice, located approximately 1.5-3 miles from our campus. This area offers a variety of accommodation options to suit different budgets.

Selly Oak is well-connected with the University through the X21 bus route, which operates every 15-25 minutes, taking around 15-30 minutes to reach the campus.

Rental costs

Rental agreements for private accommodation in the Selly Oak area are typically for 12 months. Prices generally range from £90-£120 per week, plus bills.

Some landlords offer all-inclusive packages with bills, which can range from £125-£200 per week.

Finding accommodation

While the University does not have formal agreements with any landlords or agencies, here are some resources that frequently list available properties in the area:

Important considerations

To ensure you are not overly burdened by travel, we advise that your private accommodation should be within a 1-hour commute from campus. This proximity helps you maintain a good balance between academic commitments and personal time.

You can use tools like Google Maps and NX Bus West Midlands to check the travel time from potential accommodations.

Examples of private accommodation

Examples of private accommodation within Selly oak following the X21 bus route to Birmingham Newman University:

  • 14 Ilmington road, Selly oak, Birmingham, B29 5LJ, 1.3 miles away from campus,  bus service X21 every 15-25 mins from (Marston Road bus stop), 16 min total commute or 25 min to walk
  • 22 Gleave road, Selly oak, Birmingham, B29 6JR, 3.2miles away from campus,  bus service X21 every 15-25 mins from (Lodge Hill Road bus stop), 25 min total commute.
  • 53 Gleave road, Selly oak, Birmingham, B29 6JW, 3.2miles away from campus,  bus service X21 every 15-25 mins from (Lodge Hill Road bus stop), 25 min total commute.
  • 60 Gleave road, Selly oak, Birmingham, B29 6JR, 3.2miles away from campus,  bus service X21 every 15-25 mins from (Lodge Hill Road bus stop), 25 min total commute.
  • 51 Lottie road, Selly oak, Birmingham, B29 6JY, 3.3miles away from campus,  bus service X21 every 15-25 mins from (Lodge Hill Road bus stop), 26 min total commute.
  • 42 Winnie Road, Selly oak, Birmingham, B29 6JX, 3.1miles away from campus,  bus service X21 every 15-25 mins from (Lodge Hill Road bus stop), 27 min total commute.
  • Weoley Park Road, Selly oak, Birmingham, B29 6Q2, 2.3 miles away from campus,  bus service X21 every 15-25 mins from (Westhill close), 21 min total commute.
    • Typical contract length 12 months, multiple properties starting from at £152 –£170 PW Bills included
    • Uni Homes www.unihomes.co.uk or direct through Oakmans Estate Agents  www.oakmans.co.uk
  • Frederick road, Selly oak, Birmingham, B29 6NX, 2.7 miles away from campus,  bus service X21 every 15-25 mins from (Springdale gardens), 21 min total commute.
    • Typical contract length 12 months, multiple properties starting from £118 – £200PW – Bills included
    • Uni Homes www.unihomes.co.uk or direct through Oakmans Estate Agents  www.oakmans.co.uk
  • Gibbons road, Selly oak, Birmingham, B29 6NN, 2.4 miles away from campus,  bus service X21 every 15-25 mins from (Springdale gardens), 27 min total commute.
    • Typical contract length 12 months, multiple properties starting from £124 – £159PW – Bills included
    • Uni Homes www.unihomes.co.uk or direct through Oakmans Estate Agents  www.oakmans.co.uk

CRM Students www.crm-students.com

Selly Oak Court, Birmingham, B29 6GH, 3.2 miles away from campus,  bus service X21 every 15-25 mins from (Lodge Hill) 31 min total commute.

Typical contract length 12 months, multiple rooms starting from £200 – £270PW – Bills included – Free Gym onsite, Games room.

Student Guide: Understanding accommodation contracts (Private Landlords – UK)

Before you sign: Know what you’re agreeing to

Looking for a place to live off-campus? Whether it’s a house share or a studio flat, it’s really important to understand your contract before you sign it. Here’s a helpful guide to some common terms, tips, and things to watch out for.

Common Contract Terminology Explained
Tenancy Agreement
  • The legal contract between you (tenant) and the landlord
  • Sets out your rights and responsibilities
Fixed-Term Tenancy
  • You rent the property for a set period (e.g., 12 months)
  • You’re liable for the full period, even if you leave early
Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST)
  • The most common type of rental agreement in the UK
  • Offers basic legal protections
Joint Tenancy
  • You and your housemates are all equally responsible for rent and damages
  • If one person doesn’t pay, others may have to cover it
Guarantor
  • A person (usually a parent/guardian) who agrees to pay your rent if you can’t
  • Often required for students
Deposit
  • Money paid upfront (usually 4–5 weeks’ rent) to cover damages or unpaid rent
  • Must be protected in a government-approved deposit protection scheme
Holding Deposit
  • A smaller payment to reserve a property
  • It should be returned or put toward your rent unless you break the agreement
Inventory
  • A checklist of everything in the property and its condition when you move in
  • Essential for protecting your deposit
Break Clause
  • A clause that allows you (or the landlord) to end the tenancy early, under certain conditions.
  • Not all contracts have one
Rent in Advance
  • Some landlords require a month’s rent before you move in, separate from the deposit
Utilities Included
  • Check if rent includes bills (gas, electric, water, internet).
  • If not, you’ll need to budget separately
What to Look Out for Before Signing
  • Is the contract clear and in writing? Never agree to a verbal-only arrangement
  • Check the rent amount, payment schedule and method—per person or per property?
  • Confirm the tenancy start and end dates. Are you paying rent over summer when you might not be there?
  • Understand your liability. In a joint tenancy, one person leaving doesn’t end the contract for others
  • Ensure your deposit is protected. Ask for proof of the scheme (e.g., DPS, MyDeposits, TDS)
  • Read the small print. Look for hidden costs, fees, cleaning charges, or unfair clauses
  • Insist on an inventory and take your own photos when you move in
  • Know who’s responsible for maintenance/repairs
  • Beware of high admin fees—these are banned in most cases under the Tenant Fees Act 2019
Top Tips
  • Don’t rush—take your time to read everything
  • Ask your Students’ Union or University support if unsure
  • Get verbal promises in writing before signing
  • Try to view the property in person
  • If you’re signing as a group, make sure everyone’s name is on the contract
  • Keep copies of everything—emails, receipts, contracts
Useful Links and Resources

Need Assistance?

If you have any questions or need further assistance in finding suitable accommodation, please contact the Accommodation Team on +44 (0) 121 387 4618. We are here to help make your search as smooth and efficient as possible.

Quick links

Apply now

Instagram does not support direct link sharing, below is the page URL to copy to add to Instagram posts manually: