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
Buying for a student
Start my search
Two quick steps. It takes about a minute.
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
Brief
University, budget, timing and how the flat will be used.
- 2
Shortlist
Homes pre-viewed and assessed on location, building and lease.
- 3
Offer and checks
Negotiation on evidence, with letting and licensing points flagged.
- 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
| Aspect | Belgrave Estates | Typical high-street approach |
|---|---|---|
| Who you deal with | One named senior advisor from first call to completion | Handed between valuer, negotiator and progression team |
| Conflicts of interest | Single-side representation; conflicts disclosed in writing | Often acts for both sides of the same deal |
| Fees | Fee model disclosed in writing before you sign anything | Headline rate, extras discovered later |
| Discretion | Off-market and NDA-ready campaigns available | Portal-first by default |
| Paper trail | Mandate, briefs and closing dossier written and archived | Calls 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Useful tools and data
Research London with our own data
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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.