# Buying a London home for a child at university

Canonical source: https://rivermarkproperty.com/guides/buying-home-child-university/

A family purchase needs to work for the student during the course and for the people who will own, fund and eventually sell the home.

[Discuss buying a home](https://rivermarkproperty.com/contact/#role=private-client&topic=acquire&briefTitle=Buying%20a%20home)

## Start with the course and the student

Confirm the actual campus and teaching locations, course length and the student’s preferred journey. A university can use more than one campus. Compare the door-to-door route at the times the student will travel, and include the entrance, stairs or lift and access after dark.

Discuss whether the student wants to live alone, with family or with other students. A spare room changes the layout and cost; it does not establish that the lease, lender or immigration conditions permit letting it.

For example, a student whose course is mostly in Bloomsbury but has regular teaching elsewhere should compare both journeys. A family can list a maximum journey as an instruction, then test it against each actual property rather than assuming every flat in a named neighbourhood works.

## Decide who will own and fund it

A parent may buy in their own name, jointly with an adult child, or consider a trust or company. These choices can affect control, future sale, tax and finance. Ask a solicitor and tax adviser to compare the actual family circumstances before an offer.

A child under 18 cannot hold the legal estate in the same way as an adult; a solicitor should explain trustees and any beneficial interests for the proposed arrangement.

Further reading: [HM Land Registry: private trusts of land](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/private-trusts-of-land-pg24/practice-guide-24-private-trusts-of-land)

## Compare the whole period

Include the purchase and eventual sale costs, service charges, repairs, utilities and time when nobody occupies the flat. Compare this with the rent and other costs for the same expected period. The eventual sale price and time to sell are unknown.

Council Tax can depend on who lives in the property and their status. The local council decides the position for the household; do not assume every student-related property is exempt.

Further reading: [GOV.UK: full-time students and Council Tax](https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/discounts-for-full-time-students) · [MoneyHelper: buying and moving costs](https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/homes/buying-a-home/estimate-your-overall-buying-and-moving-costs)

## Put the family agreement into words

Record whether money from a parent is a gift or a loan, who pays the deposit and ongoing bills, and who will occupy the home. Ask a solicitor how the intended legal and beneficial ownership will be documented, particularly if several people contribute different amounts.

If a flat is acquired before a student turns 18, discuss the timing and legal title with the conveyancer rather than assuming the student can sign the same documents as an adult. Tax consequences depend on the people and arrangement; take individual advice.

Further reading: [HM Land Registry: trusts of land](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/private-trusts-of-land-pg24/practice-guide-24-private-trusts-of-land)

## Plan what happens after the course

Agree who can decide to sell, how expenses are shared and what happens if the course, campus or living arrangements change. If future letting is contemplated, check the lease, mortgage terms, tax and any applicable legal duties with the relevant advisers.

Rivermark can search for a home to buy around the student’s journey and family brief. Any purchase search and fees are agreed before work starts.

Official guidance checked 5 November 2026. Confirm the current position and how it applies to your circumstances with the relevant adviser.

- [Rent or buy for a London stay?](https://rivermarkproperty.com/guides/rent-or-buy-london-stay/)
- [Where to live for UCL or Imperial](https://rivermarkproperty.com/guides/ucl-imperial-where-to-live/)
- [Can an international student buy property in the UK?](https://rivermarkproperty.com/guides/london-student-visa-buying-property/)
- [London buying service](https://rivermarkproperty.com/residential/buying/)

## Looking for a home in London?

Tell us the locations, property and timing you have in mind.

- [Discuss buying a home](https://rivermarkproperty.com/contact/#role=private-client&topic=acquire&briefTitle=Buying%20a%20home)
- [Request a call](https://rivermarkproperty.com/request-a-call/)