Halls came furnished, sorted, and slightly beige. A student house is different — more freedom, more space, and a few more things you’ll need to bring yourself.
Here’s a calm run through what’s worth packing, what isn’t, and how to make move-in day easy.
Talk to your housemates first
Five minutes in a group chat saves a kitchen with four kettles and no bin.
Sort out who’s bringing:
- Kettle, toaster, microwave
- Pots, pans, chopping boards
- Bin, cleaning stuff, hoover
- Anything for the living room
You’ll all save money and space, and nobody arrives with a duplicate air fryer.
What to bring
Bedroom: bedding and a spare set, towels, a decent desk lamp, a clothes airer (you’ll use it constantly), and a few things that make the room feel like yours.
Kitchen: your own plate, bowl, mug and cutlery, plus one shared item you agreed on.
Practical: an extension lead, basic tools or a screwdriver, a first aid kit, and a doorstop-level supply of bin bags.
Paperwork: tenancy agreement, ID, and your inventory. Keep them somewhere you can actually find them.
What to leave at home
- Big furniture — most student houses come furnished. Check first before you haul a wardrobe across the county.
- Books you won’t open. Be honest with yourself.
- Out-of-season clothes. Bring what you’ll wear in the next few months and swap later.
- Anything precious or irreplaceable. Shared houses have a lot of people in and out.
The rule of thumb: if you didn’t use it last year, you won’t use it this year.
Move-in day: do this first
Before you unpack a single box:
- Take photos of everything — every room, every mark, every scuff. Date-stamped. This is your deposit protection.
- Check the inventory against what’s actually there, and report anything missing or broken straight away in writing.
- Find the meters, the stopcock and the fuse box. Sounds dull. Extremely useful in February.
- Test the heating and hot water, even in September. Better to find a problem now than in the first cold week.
Then unpack in this order
Bedding first — so you can collapse into a made bed at the end of the day. Then kitchen basics, so you can eat. Everything else can wait until tomorrow.
That’s it. That’s the whole strategy.
If you’ve got more than fits in a car
That’s normal, especially by second and third year. A full room’s worth — boxes, bike, mini fridge, the lot — starts from £[65] with Van Hero, and a whole house share from £[120]. Split between housemates it’s small money, and 20% student discount applies to every move.
FAQ
What do I need for a student house that I didn’t need in halls? Mainly kitchen equipment, cleaning supplies and a bin — things halls usually provide. Coordinate with housemates so you don’t end up with four kettles.
Do student houses come furnished? Most do, including beds, wardrobes and desks. Always check your tenancy before bringing large furniture.
How much does it cost to move into a student house in Coventry? A full room move starts from £25, and a whole house share from £120. Students get 20% off, and you’ll have a fixed price before we start.