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Belgrave Estates

Buying for a student

Buy a London home for your student, and keep it working afterwards

Parents buying for a child at a London university want somewhere safe, close to campus and sensible as a long-term asset. We search with all three in mind and flag the points that matter if friends share or the flat is let later.

  • Searched around the university and commute
  • Building and lease checked
  • Letting rules flagged before you buy

How property services are regulated in the UK

Buying for a student

Start my search

Two quick steps. It takes about a minute.

What do you need?
Timeline
Property type
Phone or WhatsApp (optional)

We’ll create a free Belgrave Estates account with this email so you can follow your enquiry — we’ll email you a link to activate it. Marketing emails only if you opt in.

A senior adviser will reply personally within one working day.

No obligation. Your details are never sold or shared.

  • Sole-mandate, single-side

    No dual-agency on any transaction. Conflicts disclosed in writing.

  • Discretion by default

    Off-market sourcing, alias representation, NDA-ready.

  • Audit-ready paper trail

    Mandate, briefs, memos and closing dossier — written, signed, archived.

Outcomes

What we look at for you

  • Location first

    Travel time to campus, transport, safety and day-to-day amenities compared for each shortlisted home.

  • A building that suits

    Concierge or secure entry, service charges and lease terms reviewed, including any restrictions on letting.

  • Thinking ahead

    How the flat might let after graduation, so the purchase still makes sense in later years.

  • Buying from abroad

    Many parents buy remotely. Video viewings and written reports keep you in control from home.

Start the search for your student’s London home

How it works

4 steps, one adviser

  1. 1

    Brief

    University, budget, timing and how the flat will be used.

  2. 2

    Shortlist

    Homes pre-viewed and assessed on location, building and lease.

  3. 3

    Offer and checks

    Negotiation on evidence, with letting and licensing points flagged.

  4. 4

    Completion and setup

    Purchase completed and the home ready for the start of term where timing allows.

Market evidence

The London market, from the registry

£560,000

Median sale price

Aug 2025 to Aug 2026

36,006

Registered sales in 12 months

HM Land Registry Price Paid Data

-3.4%

Median price change

vs the previous 12 months

Registry data for London as a whole. See sold prices by area.

Why Belgrave

How we compare

AspectBelgrave EstatesTypical high-street approach
Who you deal withOne named senior advisor from first call to completionHanded between valuer, negotiator and progression team
Conflicts of interestSingle-side representation; conflicts disclosed in writingOften acts for both sides of the same deal
FeesFee model disclosed in writing before you sign anythingHeadline rate, extras discovered later
DiscretionOff-market and NDA-ready campaigns availablePortal-first by default
Paper trailMandate, briefs and closing dossier written and archivedCalls and emails, little written record

How our fees work

Fee structure agreed in writing before the mandate starts. Our conduct and fees.

After you enquire

What happens next

  1. 01

    A senior adviser reads it

    Your request goes to a senior adviser on the right desk, not a call centre or an automated sequence.

  2. 02

    A personal reply within one working day

    By phone, WhatsApp or email, whichever you prefer. Tell us a good time and we will keep to it.

  3. 03

    A clear plan, no obligation

    You get our view and the next steps in plain terms. Whether to go ahead is entirely your decision.

FAQ

Buying for a student: your questions answered

Can’t find what you’re looking for?Talk to our team.

  • Is it sensible to buy rather than rent student accommodation?

    It can be, depending on budget, how long your child will stay and your plans for the property afterwards. We help you weigh it up; we do not give financial advice.

  • Can my child live there with friends paying rent?

    Possibly, but shared lettings can bring licensing and tenancy obligations, and some leases restrict them. We flag what applies to each flat before you commit.

  • Who should own the property?

    Ownership can be in your name, jointly or another structure. That is a legal and tax question, so we coordinate with your solicitor and adviser.

  • What extra costs should I budget for?

    Stamp duty, which can include surcharges for additional or overseas buyers, plus legal fees, service charges and furnishing. Our stamp duty calculator gives an estimate.

  • Can we buy from outside the UK?

    Yes. We regularly work with overseas buyers and can run the search, viewings and negotiation remotely.

  • Can you manage it afterwards?

    Yes. Our lettings desk can manage the flat if it is let later, or when your child moves on.

  • How do you charge?

    A search retainer credited against a success fee on completion. Terms are shared in writing before you instruct us.

Still deciding? Ask a senior adviser directly.

Ready when you are

Start the search for your student’s London home

Tell us the university and budget. A senior adviser will send a first view of suitable areas and homes. No obligation.

  • No obligation, ever
  • A personal reply within one working day
  • One named senior partner throughout

Private and discreet. Your details are never sold, shared or added to a marketing list.