Looking for a place to live? Top 10 tips for safe student housing

At Sit, we’re here for all students—whether you live with us or not. But we know that finding your first place can be full of pitfalls. As a student, you want a stable and secure home—that makes total sense. Unfortunately, we don’t have housing for everyone.

So, here are ten useful tips to help you find a safe place and enjoy a smoother start to student life:

1. Book student housing early

It’s tempting to assume something will turn up—but student flats get snapped up fast every year. We recommend booking/applying as early as possible. Sit offers lots of solid options with secure tenancies and student-friendly rents.

Also, check if the contract lets you end it early in case you’re unhappy or need to leave your studies.

PS: If you haven’t sorted a place before semester starts—don’t panic. In our experience, most people find something within the first few weeks. And in Trondheim, we’ve even got an emergency housing option:

Tak over hodet

2. Watch out for red flags

Most students rent privately. That’s why it’s important to stay sharp—check listings carefully, avoid dodgy landlords, and read contracts properly. Make sure everything is legal and above board.

Know your rights as a tenant (Consumer Council)

3. Consider location and transport

Choose somewhere within a reasonable distance from your uni. It makes life easier when it comes to lectures and getting into town. Sit’s student homes are often near campus or have great public transport links.

See Sit's housing on a map:
(Zoom out to see Ålesund and Gjøvik)

4. Plan your budget – and don’t forget the deposit

Most young people haven’t dealt with big financial commitments before—and that’s totally normal. Make a realistic budget that includes rent, electricity, internet, and food.

Deposits should always be placed in a secure, separate deposit account.

What to do if there’s a disagreement over your deposit:

Uenige om depositumet?

5. Check what’s included in the rent

Does the price cover electricity, internet, or hot water? Or are those extra costs? Always find out.

FAQs and practical info:

Her er praktisk info og ofte stilte spørsmål vi får

6. Don’t pay anything before signing

Sadly, some scammers do target students. Never transfer a deposit or advance rent before signing a written rental contract.

Rent guarantee: an alternative to a traditional deposit:

Les også om leiegaranti, som er et alternativ til depositum

7. Consider shared housing – both social and affordable

Living in a shared flat (a "collective") is often a smart move—financially and socially. Sit offers shared accommodation with other students, which can give you a safer and more inclusive start to student life.

Explore Sit's types of housing:

Se hvilke typer boliger Sit tilbyr
Read Idris’ best tips for shared living:
Å bo i kollektiv har ført til nye vennskap, dette er idris sine beste tips

And here’s a little photo carousel with real-life examples of Sit housing:

8. Check the condition of the property

Are there smoke detectors, a fire extinguisher, decent ventilation? These should all be in place before you sign anything. Report anything missing as soon as you spot it.

Tips from the electrical safety portal:

Les disse gode tipsene i elsikkerhetsportalen

9. Document faults with photos

Take pictures of any damage or issues—and let the landlord know in writing. This protects you in case there’s a dispute later, especially when you’re trying to get your deposit back. If the landlord doesn’t respond, submit a formal written complaint.

Read the Tenancy Act (in Norwegian):

Sjekk gjerne ut «Lov om husleieavtaler»

10. Be independent—but don’t be afraid to ask for help

Moving out and starting uni is about gaining independence—but it can also feel overwhelming. Don’t be shy about asking others who’ve been through it.