Everything you need to know about Selly Oak
student accommodation

Selly Oak is becoming one of the most popular destinations for student accommodation in Birmingham. The residential area is a wonderful place to live and is only a mere 20-minute journey from the heart of Birmingham – the city centre – which is thriving with diverse cultural experiences for students to indulge in. Restaurants, shops, and leisure are all open to be explored by students living in Selly Oak, and most of all, the electric nightlife of the city centre that brings opportunity for socialising and incredible experiences.

Securing accommodation in Selly Oak is a must, but the process can prove quite challenging since there are several factors to consider when choosing the right accommodation. We have therefore made this guide to assist you in understanding the costs, factors, types, and comparisons of accommodation across Selly Oak, bringing you closer to your perfect student accommodation.

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Find out how much it costs to rent a student property in Selly Oak.

Read what factors to consider when choosing accommodation in Selly Oak.

Read how bill splitting services such as Split the Bills can help prevent arguments over bills.

Read about your options of student accommodation in Selly Oak.

Find out how Selly Oak compares to other student areas in Birmingham such as the city centre.

How much does it cost to rent in Selly Oak?

Selly Oak is a great place for students to rent, and you might be wondering what price ranges Selly Oak offers. When it comes to renting in Selly Oak, the cheapest options are often a room in a house share, where the prices average at roughly £400-500 ppm (per person per month). If, however, you are looking to rent a one-bedroom studio apartment, the prices increase to around £650-700 ppm.

Choosing accommodation in Selly Oak

When choosing student accommodation in Selly Oak, there are several important factors that you must consider. These main considerations are:

  • Rent price – as mentioned earlier, the price for renting in Selly Oak will vary slightly depending on the type of accommodation you desire. Therefore, you will need to consider your budget and what type of living you want, for instance, will you take the cheaper option and flatshare, or will you opt for the more expensive one-bedroom properties?

Are you looking at a student property that doesn’t include bills in the rent price? Don’t worry – find out how we can help here.

  • Local amenities – as a student, local amenities can really bring a lot to your renting experience. Being a short walking distance from local supermarkets, off-licenses, or takeaway places can create much greater ease in your day-to-day living, and produce better conditions for last-minute dinner emergencies or late-night food cravings.
  • Walking distance to the university – an extremely crucial factor to consider when renting anywhere as a student is the distance from your university. Birmingham has five main universities including the esteemed Birmingham University, so you will want to choose accommodation in Selly Oak that is closest to your university. This will mean less tiring journeys every day, and more time to lie in before journeying to your campus.
  • Flats vs houses – you must also consider whether you want to live in a flat or a house. Flats often have fewer rooms available and won’t be able to accommodate a group of 5 or more, but they provide great space for one-bedroom renters. Houses are great for sharing and can offer things such as gardens.
  • House share or living by yourself – you will need to know whether you want to house share or live alone. House shares are much cheaper and great for socialising, but if you’d rather have your own privacy then a one-bedroom flat might be best, although more expensive.
  • Inclusive vs non-inclusive bills – possibly the most important factor to consider when choosing accommodation is whether your bills are inclusive or non-inclusive. With inclusive bills, things like energy, TV, or wi-fi bills are all paid in one go as part of your rent payments. With non-inclusive bills, however, you will pay your landlord rent whilst having to organise your own individual bills with other providers for each service. This often leads to confusion, disorganisation, and even conflict with other flatmates over the bills. However, there is an effective solution to this common problem.

Read our full guide to inclusive vs non-inclusive bills here.

Bill splitting services

If you are renting a student property that does not offer inclusive bills, then Split the Bills is the perfect way to go. Split the Bills provides an incredible range of bill packages to wrap all your energy, internet, and any other service needs into one. This ensures that your bill-paying process is hassle and stress-free. The fantastic packages will give you everything you could need in the most efficient and cost-effective way. Split the Bills automatically organises the bills between each flatmate, so there are no arguments, debates, or reasons for confusion, and the entire process is handled as swiftly as possible. If you desire to have all the stress and organising of bills taken care of without you having to worry, then head over to Split the Bills to get a price, or research into the amazing range of packages available.

 

Are bills not included in your rent price?

Don’t worry – Split The Bills can find the best and cheapest providers for you and bundle all your bills into one easy payment. This means you don’t have to have awkward conversations with your housemates about who’s sorting the electricity bill or how much the gas bill is. That way, you can enjoy the benefits of just having one easy-to-manage payment to make each month and spend more time enjoying student life!

  • Choose from our energy packages, superfast broadband, water and a TV licence.
  • Pay the same fixed amount every month and don’t worry about bills!
  • Avoid arguments by everyone paying the same share.
  • We set up the utilities for your house – so sit back, and relax!
  • Less time worrying about bills = more time to enjoy being a student!

Find out more about how Split the Bills can help here.

What are the different types of student accommodation in Selly Oak?

There are various different types of student accommodation available in Selly Oak that are sure to fit your desired living.

Firstly, Selly Oak has its own Birmingham University Campus where the majority of second and third-year students live. This student village has a range of terraced houses which give students amazing accommodation that is right next to the university.

Selly Oak also offers a range of houses available that range from 2 to 7 rooms. These are great for students wishing to live with flatmates and enjoy a highly sociable living arrangement. If, however, you want to live with flatmates but do not currently have anyone to plan with, you can always rent a room in a house already shared and just start paying for your own student room.

Finally, there are always options for people wanting to live alone. These are often one-bedroom studio apartments that offer ample space for one person to live, sleep, cook, and study. These accommodations do happen to be more expensive than house-sharing options.

How does renting in Selly Oak compare to other areas?

It is always beneficial to see a comparison of the different potential areas for renting when looking for accommodation. Here are all the ways Selly Oak compares to other student areas in Birmingham.

  • Cost of renting -Selly Oak offers much cheaper prices for renting than most areas in Birmingham. For instance, if you were to look for accommodation in Digbeth, you would be looking at an average renting price of £600-£950 ppm for accommodation.
  • Amenities – The city centre is the prime place for amenities, but Selly Oak is not without its own. This is the prime student location, so there are plenty of bars and pubs available where students gather, and there is also a great high street. If you are set on renting in the city centre, read our full guide to Birmingham city centre here.
  • Travel to and from the University – Birmingham University is actually located in Selly Oak, so there is no other place more suited for a short and easy commute. The university itself even has a campus located in Selly Oak where students can live right next to the university.
  • Walking distance to shops and restaurants – whilst maybe not boasting as many shops and restaurants as the city centre, Selly Oak definitely has a wide range of options available for students. For example, the amazing shopping park has a vast selection of shops such as Next, JD Sports, and Argos, and a wide range of café and dining places as well.
  • Culture– Selly Oak provides the best culture for students since it is the prime location where students go who attend the university. The student village is always booming with student events, nights out, and leisure activities, allowing you to experience the best student culture in the whole of Birmingham.
  • Types of accommodation available – areas such as the city centre-specific accommodation such as flats, but Selly Oak offers the widest range of renting property types, including houses, flats, house-shares, and university campus halls.

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