Private accommodation

To assist students seeking private accommodation, Accommodation Services, in association with the other Glasgow higher education institutions, maintains an online database of private accommodation called pad.

pad (Private Accommodation Database) is a centralised database of private sector accommodation available for rent to students. In the interest of student safety, accommodation is not registered with pad unless the landlord has confirmed that it conforms to the standards required to meet the pad Safety Guidelines. Furthermore, the partner institutions have the right to verify the information provided and have sole discretion in advertising properties or including their details on the database and reserve the right to refuse to do so. The accommodation is not, however, inspected and your University or College accepts no responsibility if the accommodation registered with pad is found to to be deficient in any respect.

We would recommend you log onto the pad website as this provides advice on various aspects of the private accommodation sector. It also explains in detail the legal requirements of renting and how a contract/lease is legally binding. The staff at the Accommodation Office will be happy to help you if necessary.  Further information concerning private accommodation can be found through the links below:

• Types of accommodation

• General advice and points to watch

• Purchasing a flat or house

• Search the Private Accommodation Database (PAD)