When you start higher education, finding the ideal student residence is a crucial step in your student experience.

Whether you’re about to go to university for the first time or are already a fixture in the lecture theatre, it’s vital that you choose student accommodation that suits your needs in terms of comfort, budget, amenities and proximity.

Here are a few tips to help you find the ideal student residence!

Set your priorities for targeting the right residence 

Before you even start looking for an apartment, it’s important to decide what your priorities are. Draw up a list of the most important factors for you, such as budget, location, type of accommodation, amenities (bakery, chemist’s, supermarket, public transport, etc.), the services offered by the residence (an equipped kitchen, Wi-Fi, gym, etc.) and any preferences about sharing accommodation. This will help you narrow down your search and target the student housing that is best suited to your needs. 

Find out more about the accommodation 

Use online resources, websites, social networks or your own network to find out more about the residences you have selected. 

Think about how close they are to the campus where you are studying, public transport, supermarkets and other important amenities. Read the comments and Google reviews left by old or current residents so you can have a better picture of your future living environment. 

Get in touch with the housing department at your institute of higher education 

Contact the housing department at your university or school to get more information about the options available in terms of student residences. Ask the right questions about rates, contracts and rental periods. You can also talk about your situation for advice or to ask for specific recommendations to guide your search. 

Draw up your rental budget

It’s important to find accommodation that’s right for your budget. You need to factor in the monthly rent, the charges if not included (water, electricity, internet, etc.) and any additional outgoings such as house insurance.

Finding the ideal student residence is no easy task: it needs time, research, organisation and proper thought. But you’ll be able to make an informed decision if you identify your priorities, undertake extensive research and contact several different organisations. Remember that the accommodation you choose will have an impact on your day-to-day well-being. A comfortable, practical and suitable student residence makes it more likely that you will enjoy a hard-working, rewarding and memorable experience throughout your course. 

Book your FAC-HABITAT student accommodation simply and easily! 

FAC-HABITAT makes its booking tool available to students to help them make their requests for accommodation. You can use the tool to submit your application for an apartment directly online simply and easily. You can access the complete list of all the documents you need to provide, as well as checking out the available accommodation in real time! The tool is also used for tracking your request.

In the "Our Residences" tab, select the town you are interested in and your preferred residence, where you will be able to access its factsheet. You can reserve your chosen apartment by clicking on the "Submit a request" tab.

Once you have confirmed your choice of apartment, you will need to fill in one information sheet with your details and another about your guarantor (whether a natural or legal person). 

After your application has been validated, you will receive a reply in the shortest possible timeframe.

If your application is accepted, you will be allocated your accommodation automatically. If the residence is full, you will be put on a waiting list until an apartment in the residence becomes available. You will then have direct access to your rental agreement and its annexes. You will have to return your application within five days. Once your request has been received and approved, a FAC-HABITAT housing adviser will contact you to make an appointment for the check-in inventory.