Data based on searchable student accommodation

A new electronic accommodation database is available to University of Queensland students looking for somewhere to live.

UQ Rentals Online, a joint initiative between UQ`s Accommodation Services and the , can be found at www.uq.edu.au/rentalsonline

The system allows students to search for either shared accommodation or vacant properties based on price, location, size and furnishings.

Academic Registrar Linda Bird said one of the main concerns new students faced when moving to university was finding suitable accommodation.

“It can be a daunting prospect for first-year and international students who are moving away from home for the first time,” she said.

“The website will do much of the groundwork for the students as it will list properties based on the criteria the students enter.

“It has been launched ready for the influx of new students during June and July.”

Rental accommodation is the most popular choice among UQ students and the demand for housing in the area around the St Lucia campus is high in the weeks leading up to the start of each semester.

UQ Student Union President Leah Sanderson said the collaborative site was a fantastic tool for students moving to Brisbane or out of home for the first time.

“When I first came to Brisbane I found a share house within a week after accessing the old accommodation database,” Ms Sanderson said.

“The new site is just as effective, though it is even easier to use and much funkier than the previous site.”

UQ Rentals Online covers the suburbs surrounding the St Lucia, Ipswich and Gatton campuses.

Accommodation Officer Audrey Brown said it was free to list accommodation on the website.

“Anyone who has a property or a room they want to rent to a UQ student can advertise online,” Ms Brown said.

International students are the main client base and Ms Brown recommended they look at the website and then attend an Accommodation Services information session.

“The website also has an expanded search function and contains specific information such as whether the property would suit someone who eats Halal food or is vegetarian or whether the accommodation is queer friendly,” she said.

“There is such a huge range in quality and prices of rental accommodation so students need to spend time looking around to get an idea about what is good value for money.”

For details please visit www.uq.edu.au/rentalsonline

Media: for more information contact Audrey Brown (telephone 07 3346 9199) or Chris Saxby at UQ Communications (telephone 3365 2479).