5 bed house - 51 Howell Road Exeter
£214 per person per week all-inclusive option
Or £190 rent-only (+£24)
EPC B15min Streatham | 22min St Luke'sAll-inclusive optionLet
Five-Bedroom Student Living
A 5 bed student house in Exeter often hits the best balance of value, availability and social life. You've got enough people for a great shared-house vibe, but not so many that cleaning rotas and bill admin become a weekly drama.
Who 5-Beds Are Best For
A five bedroom student house in Exeter is ideal for medium-sized groups who want a lively house but still want to keep things organised. If you're looking for a 5 person house in Exeter (often searched as "5 man house Exeter"), focus on space where it matters.
Typical Layout: What to Check
Exeter's 5-bed student houses are typically larger Victorian terraces or converted properties. Most feature two bathrooms (or one bathroom plus a separate shower room), a spacious kitchen-diner, and at least one communal living area. Bedroom sizes can vary – the best approach is to view properties together and agree room allocation before signing.
Kitchen Capacity and Storage
At five people, kitchen storage and fridge/freezer space can make or break the year. Check worktop space, cupboard capacity, and whether the dining area can handle shared mealtimes. Many 5-beds have bedrooms spread across three floors, which suits groups who value privacy.
All-Inclusive vs Rent-Only for Five People
Five people sharing requires a bit more organisation than smaller groups. The all-inclusive pricing option simplifies budgeting significantly – one fixed weekly amount covers rent, gas, electricity, water and WiFi. No surprise winter heating bills, no arguments about who left the heating on. Establish house rules early: agree on a cleaning schedule, quiet hours, and how you'll handle communal food.
Best Areas for 5-Bed Properties
St Davids and Pennsylvania dominate for 5-beds, with most properties within comfortable walking distance of Streatham Campus. Heavitree offers larger properties at slightly lower rents with good access to St Luke's. The City Centre suits students who want nightlife on the doorstep but still need reasonable commute times.
If You Can't Find a 5-Bed
Set up instant alerts for new listings. Alternatively, a 4-bed might work if one group member can commute from nearby, or a 6-bed could bring in an extra friend to share costs further.
Fair Room Splits for 5 People
Five bedrooms across three floors means size variation is inevitable. Recommended approach: Calculate a baseline weekly rent. The largest room adds £5-8/week; the smallest subtracts £5-8/week; middle rooms stay at baseline. Example: £120 baseline becomes £128/£120/£120/£120/£112 for largest to smallest. View as a group, measure rooms if needed, and agree before signing. Many groups find this fairer than a straight equal split.
Bathroom Maths for 5 People
Five people with two bathrooms works well; five people with one bathroom is a daily grind. The golden rule: aim for at least 2 showers and 2 WCs. During viewings, check both showers simultaneously – older systems struggle to run two at once. En-suite bedrooms can help, but make sure the "main" bathroom isn't the only shower for four other people. Best scenario: two proper shower rooms plus a separate WC. Second best: one bathroom plus one en-suite. Avoid: one bathroom for five – you'll regret it by October.
Bills Economics at Five
Five people is where bills become genuinely affordable. With uplift around £24/week per person, the all-inclusive premium is modest enough that most groups prefer it. The hidden benefit: five people means five different schedules – some home during the day, some rarely in, some working from the kitchen. Variable usage makes bill-splitting contentious. All-inclusive eliminates this entirely. If you choose rent-only, establish a treasurer who manages a shared account. Chasing four other people for bills every month gets old by December.
Where to Find the Best 5-Beds
Pennsylvania dominates for quality 5-beds – purpose-built HMOs with proper kitchens and multiple bathrooms, very close to Streatham. St Davids offers more varied stock: some excellent conversions, some dated properties – view carefully. The value play: Heavitree has larger 5-beds at lower rents, often with gardens and parking. The trade-off is a longer commute (walkable to St Luke's, bus to Streatham). Groups prioritising space-per-pound often find Heavitree surprisingly good.
Popular 5-Bed Requirements
What 5-person groups search for most: 2+ bathrooms (non-negotiable at this size), bills included (simplifies five-way splits), large kitchen-diner (cooking together matters), and walking distance to Streatham or St Luke's. Areas like Pennsylvania and St Davids have the highest concentration of quality 5-beds.
Related Pages
Browse 4 bed student houses in Exeter | 6 bed student houses in Exeter | Bills included options | Near Streatham Campus | All student houses in Exeter