Quick answer
Start with the work address, number of people, dates and essential equipment. Compare the full cost for the same period, agree on changes and inspect the property before moving in.
Start with the workplace and shift pattern
An accommodation address alone does not establish whether a location is suitable. Record the actual work location, shift start and transport arrangements. A team sharing a van has different needs from employees working different shifts or commuting separately.
Check everyday needs too: shops, cooking and laundry. A short distance on a map is not necessarily a short journey. Check the route at the time employees will actually leave for work.
Separate essentials from preferences
A few clear requirements make an enquiry more useful than a long list of equally weighted wishes. Essentials might be separate beds, van parking or a kitchen. An extra bathroom, balcony or central location might be preferences.
Consider privacy and rest when allocating rooms. Total bed numbers do not show how many people share a bedroom, bathroom or kitchen. Where an employer provides accommodation for foreign workers, check the applicable housing and hygiene standards. Include the work location, room arrangements, arrival and departure dates, extension options, kitchen, laundry, parking, internet and budget.
Compare like with like
A per-person price, room price and rent for a whole apartment are not directly comparable. Calculate each offer for the same people and period. Record whether energy, water, internet, cleaning, linen and parking are included.
Treat the deposit and any start or end charges separately. A deposit affects the cash needed initially but should not automatically be counted as a final expense. Its refund conditions must be clear.
Agree what happens if plans change
A project may grow, shrink or move. Before agreeing, check changes to occupancy, replacement occupants, early departure and extensions. A verbal expectation that everything will be possible is not an agreement.
Appoint a contact at the company and the provider. Agree who handles faults, payments and keys so residents know where to turn and the company receives consistent information.
A good stay starts at handover
Inspect the rooms, equipment and agreed layout before move-in. Record meters, keys and visible damage. Give residents understandable instructions on heating, ventilation, waste and reporting problems.
A short review after the first few days can check the internet, laundry and ability to rest. This is an operational check, not certification of legal or technical compliance.
Frequently asked questions
Do we need an exact departure date when enquiring?
If it is unknown, give the expected duration or range. Before renting, agree how departure and extensions will be confirmed.
Do more beds mean a property suits a bigger team?
Not by themselves. Check the layout, area, bathrooms, equipment and applicable conditions. Beds are not proof of compliance.
What belongs in a comparison?
The same dates and occupancy, total price, included costs, deposit, commute and cancellation or change conditions.
Sources and further reading
Official sources and public information consulted on 27 October 2026. Check the current text before making a decision.
This guide provides general information. Check individual legal or tax circumstances with the relevant authority or adviser.
Turn your questions into a plan.
Gather the work location, number of people and dates to make accommodation easier to compare.
Send an enquiry ↗