Housing

Due to the high demand for student housing in Reykjavík, finding a room or apartment on your own can take up some time and effort. It is important to take this into consideration and start your search early. Students should ALWAYS have a signed lease and NEVER pay rent or a deposit to the landlord before having signed a lease.

A few tips:
•    Start looking for housing early
•    Get in touch with other exchange students looking for accommodation by joining our Facebook group for incoming exchange students
•    Consider booking a hostel or Airbnb for a few days after you arrive in Iceland where you can continue your search for a permanent accommodation
•    Increase your chances of finding housing by extending your search to suburban areas or to surrounding towns, such as Seltjarnarnes, Kópavogur, Garðabær and Hafnarfjörður. These places may be more affordable, and the university campus can be reached within 30 minutes by bus.
•    Always have a signed lease
•    Never pay rent or deposit to the landlord before having received a signed contract.

The Student Housing Office offers a limited supply of on-campus housing for students at the University of Iceland. Online applications for the fall semester open on 1 May (2020) and on 1 October for the spring semester. Due to high demand it is recommended to apply as soon as the online applications open. Note that it is not possible to apply before the opening dates 1 May and 1 October.

University of Iceland partners with Housing Anywhere where students can sign-up to an online searching and booking platform for booking accommodation.

Users can search accommodation options from the private rental market as well as rooms that our outgoing exchange students are subletting. Registered students at the University of Iceland get priority access and a special badge in their profile which helps the advertisers identify university students. 

This platform offers a secure option for students. The first month´s rent and a booking fee is paid to HousingAnywhere, that transfers it to the advertiser after student has had a chance to view the room and moved in.  

Sign-up form

In Iceland it is normal to pay a deposit when renting accommodation. Students should never pay rent or deposit to the landlord before having signed a lease. 

The lease defines some of the rights and obligations of the tenant and the landlord. It includes the amount the tenant must pay and the conditions for moving-in and moving-out. Check if utilities (heating, electricity, internet etc) are included in the monthly rent. 

Leasing contract in English
The Rent Act, No. 36/1994

Even though housing scams are rare in Iceland, students searching on the private housing market must be aware of potential fake housing offers. It is important to never transfer money before having a signed lease. 

We remind students of the on-campus student housing options, and of the Housing Anywhere platform.