🏠 Halls vs Houses: A Parent’s Guide to Student Accommodation at the University of Lincoln

When your child receives their offer from the University of Lincoln or Bishop Grosseteste University, it’s a moment of pride — and probably a touch of panic too. One of the first major questions that comes up is:

Where will they live?
As a parent, you want them to be comfortable, safe, and supported. And while many students automatically apply for university halls, they’re not always the best choice. In fact, off-campus student housing can offer more space, better value, and a smoother step into adult life.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key differences between halls and student houses in Lincoln, so you can help your child make the right call — and feel confident about it too.

🛡️ Is Lincoln Safe for Students?

Yes — Lincoln is often described as one of the UK’s safest university cities. With a strong sense of community, walkable layout, and plenty of students around at all hours, it offers a reassuring environment for first-time renters.

Student neighbourhoods like the West End, Sincil Bank, and Newland Street are packed with young people, well-lit, and within a short walk of campus. At Student Housing, every property we manage is fully compliant with safety regulations — from annual gas and electric checks to fire doors, smoke alarms and secure locks.

Plus, our tenants have access to:

• 🛠️ 24/7 emergency maintenance support

• 🧍 A local team based just behind the University Library

• 🧯 Safety guides and advice on independent living

So whether your child is in a hall or a house, safety is always at the top of our list.

🏢 What Are the Accommodation Options for Students in Lincoln?

Most students will choose between:

On-Campus / Purpose-Built Halls

Popular options include:

• Lincoln Courts (Student Village) – right on campus

• The Junxion – across the road from the library

• Valentine Court – slightly further out but still central

• The Pavilions, Gravity, Park Court, and Student Castle Lincoln – modern halls, mostly en suite

These halls are managed by the university or private operators and are geared toward first-years looking for a built-in social scene. They often come with:

• Shared kitchens

• En suite bathrooms

• Reception desks or key fob entry

• Group events and welcome weeks

But halls come with a few limitations, especially once the novelty wears off…

🏡 Why More Parents Are Choosing Student Houses Over Halls

Let’s be honest — halls aren’t always the dream they’re made out to be. They can be noisy, cramped, expensive, and impersonal. That’s why more parents (and students) are choosing to go straight into houses from first year.

Here’s why student housing might be a better fit for your child 👇

💰 1. Better Value for Money

While university halls in Lincoln cost anywhere from £130–£180 per week, many student houses are available from just £95 per week — and that includes:

• Electricity ⚡

• Gas 🔥

• Water 💧

• Broadband 🌐

• TV licence 📺

There are no hidden charges, no surprise fees, and no chasing housemates for utility money.

🡒 View our bills-included student homes in Lincoln

🛏️ 2. More Space and Comfort

Student houses offer a realistic living environment, not just a box room and a mini fridge. Most of our houses come with:

• Double bedrooms

• Proper wardrobes and study desks

• A full-size living room

• A kitchen big enough to actually cook in

• Some even have gardens or off-road parking

Your child will have the space to study, relax, cook, and host friends — all without being stuck in a corridor with 20 strangers.

🤫 3. Quieter, More Private Living

Let’s face it — not every student wants to live in a 200-person building with midnight fire alarms and corridor karaoke. Houses tend to be:

• Quieter

• More respectful

• Less stressful for students who are introverted or focused on academics

And if your child wants to be social? They’ll still have housemates — just a smaller, more manageable group of 3–6.

🚗 4. Parking and Location Benefits

Halls generally don’t offer parking, and cars are often banned. But many student houses do offer:

• On-street permit parking

• Driveways

• Room for bikes and scooters

And all our homes are located within a 5–15 minute walk from the University of Lincoln, so there’s no compromise on convenience.

👩‍🍳 5. A Step Toward Adult Life

Living in a student house builds real-world independence. Your child will learn how to:

• Budget

• Cook

• Clean

• Share responsibility with housemates

• Communicate effectively and solve problems together

It’s a safe, supported way to prepare for life after university — without the institutional feel of a large student block.

🡒 Learn more about how our homes support independence

🤔 But Aren’t Halls Safer?

That’s a fair question — and a common one from parents. But while halls may have reception desks and key fobs, they’re not inherently safer than houses.

At Student Housing, all of our properties are:

• Fully HMO-licensed (where required)

• Inspected regularly for gas, electric, and fire compliance

• Secured with robust locks and modern safety features

We also provide:

• A 24/7 emergency helpline

• Rapid-response maintenance

• Friendly property managers who check in throughout the year

So if safety is your main concern — a student house can still tick all the boxes ✅

✨ Final Thoughts: Halls or House?

There’s no “one size fits all” — but for many students, the perks of a house far outweigh the halls.

With a student house, your child gets:

• ✅ More space

• ✅ More privacy

• ✅ A more grown-up experience

• ✅ Lower weekly rent

• ✅ All bills included

• ✅ A real support team

Whether they’re a confident fresher or a cautious homebody, we’ll help match them to the right house, with the right housemates, in the right area.

🡒 Start browsing Lincoln student houses now

📞 Want to Speak to Someone First?

We’re here to help. Whether you’re acting as guarantor, helping your child move to Lincoln, or just want to chat things through — we’re more than happy to answer any questions.

📍 Visit our Lincoln office on St Mark Street

📞 Call us on 01522 410 646

✉️ Or email info@student-housing.co.uk

We’ve helped thousands of parents feel confident in their child’s next step — and we’d love to help you too.