What Uhomes does

Uhomes (异乡好居) operates a global online marketplace connecting international students with verified student accommodation, with a primary focus on Chinese students pursuing education abroad. The platform aggregates over 2 million room listings across 500+ cities near 2,000+ universities, covering more than 30 countries including the UK, Australia, the United States, Canada, Japan, Singapore, and a broad set of European, Asian, and Middle Eastern destinations. Core product features include an AI-powered property search (AI智能选房/AI找房), map-based property browsing (地图找房), and VR property viewing (VR看房). The platform is localized in 13 languages and offers a mobile app alongside its web experience.

The business model is a transaction-fee marketplace: Uhomes earns commissions from property operators on bookings generated through the platform, while advertising zero service fees to students. The company has secured exclusive Chinese-market booking partnerships with major UK student accommodation brands including Vita Student (sole Chinese booking partner across 17 UK cities), Scape (global exclusive partner), and UNITE Students (preferred Chinese partner), giving it differentiated access to premium inventory. Customer acquisition leverages partnerships with Chinese study-abroad agencies (新东方, 51offer, 小站教育), referral cashback programs, and Trustpilot-driven social proof (4.9/5 rating).

Uhomes is incorporated as 北京异乡好居智能科技有限公司 (Beijing Yixiang Haoju Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd.), headquartered in Beijing, with 51-100 employees. Founded in 2016, the company has raised approximately $24.4M across three disclosed funding rounds between 2016 and 2018, with Translink Capital leading the largest $14M Series B and New Oriental Education & Technology Group participating strategically. The company remains privately held with no disclosed parent company, and its ownership structure appears founder/management-led. Operating continuity is evidenced by 2026-27 academic year promotional campaigns, including 10th-anniversary rent-free promotions.

Name

Uhomes

Legal name

北京异乡好居智能科技有限公司 (Beijing Yixiang Haoju Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd.)

Website

https://uhouzz.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Uhomes (异乡好居) is a Beijing-based online marketplace that connects international students, primarily Chinese, with verified student accommodation across 30+ countries, operating a transaction-fee booking model with exclusive partnerships at major UK operators like Vita Student and Scape.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Student Accommodation Marketplace

NAICS

Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services (519290)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Student Housing Marketplaces & Booking Platforms (Aggregators) (EDAIALAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Student Housing Marketplaces & Booking Platforms (THAMAGAJ), Housing Placement Agencies & Local Letting/Relocation Services for Students (EDAIALAH), International Student Housing Placement & Management (BPAJAJAL)

Keywords

• Student accommodation
• Overseas student housing
• Rental booking platform
• International student housing
• Student apartment marketplace

Headquarters

HQ city

Tianjin

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Booking Commission: Uhomes earns commissions from property operators for bookings made through the platform. The company positions itself as the exclusive Chinese booking partner for major student accommodation providers, charging operators for access to the Chinese student market. Properties often advertise '0服务费' (zero service fee) to students, indicating the revenue comes from property owners rather than students.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Uhomes operates a global online marketplace that connects Chinese international students with verified overseas student accommodation. The platform aggregates over 2 million rooms across 500+ cities near 2,000+ universities, offering AI-powered property matching, VR viewings, and map-based search. Uhomes earns booking commissions from property operators rather than charging students service fees, serving as the exclusive or preferred Chinese booking partner for premium brands such as Vita Student, Scape, and UNITE Students in the UK.

Product overview

Uhomes (异乡好居) is a global student accommodation booking platform that operates as a unified marketplace connecting international students with verified student housing. The platform's core offerings include an AI-powered property search feature (AI智能选房), map-based property browsing (地图找房), and VR viewing capabilities. The service aggregates over 2 million property listings across 500+ cities and 2000+ universities globally, offering verified accommodations with services like booking guarantees, 24/7 consultant support, and cashback rewards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Uhomes: Primary English brand name for international student accommodation platform

Products and services

• Uhomes Student Accommodation Booking Platform (异乡好居学生公寓预订平台)

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Vita StudentcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUhomes is Vita Student's sole official booking partner in China for their UK student accommodation properties. The partnership offers exclusive promotions including the 10th anniversary rent-free promotion (10 full-year rent-free spots for 26/27 academic year) and covers 17 UK cities including London, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Leeds, Southampton, Sheffield, Newcastle, Nottingham, York, Liverpool, Exeter, Coventry, Cardiff, Bristol, and Belfast.
• ScapecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUhomes holds global exclusive partnership status for Scape properties in the UK market, including Scape Wembley, Scape Shoreditch, and Scape Hammersmith. Special Uhomes-exclusive pricing and promotions are offered on these properties.
• UNITE StudentsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUhomes is identified as a preferred booking partner for UNITE Students properties in the UK, another major student accommodation operator.
• Lewisham Exchange Property OperatorminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUhomes is identified as '中国唯一合作伙伴' (sole Chinese partner) for the Lewisham Exchange property, indicating exclusive Chinese market booking rights.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Student.com: Global student housing marketplace operating in 400+ cities with a similarly broad listing inventory. Closest direct competitor to Uhomes for international student accommodation, although Uhomes differentiates by being China-focused with exclusive Chinese booking partnerships.
• Amber (AmberStudent): Student accommodation booking platform with operations in the UK, US, and other international study destinations. Competes directly with Uhomes for international student bookings via an online marketplace model, particularly among Indian and Southeast Asian students.
• University Living: Online aggregator of student housing globally serving international students. Direct competitor in the cross-border student accommodation marketplace category with similar inventory breadth and operator partnerships.
• UniAcco: Student housing and study-abroad platform with global listings. Competes for the same international student segment, especially those from South Asia; similar marketplace model with operator partnerships and booking commissions.

Emerging players

• HousingAnywhere: European-focused student housing marketplace (formerly Casita) that merged with an Amsterdam-based platform. Overlapping operator relationships and target customer base in European study destinations that overlap with Uhomes' UK stronghold.
• Unilodgers: UK-based student accommodation marketplace operating in 50+ cities. Overlap with Uhomes in the UK premium student housing market and similar operator partnerships.
• Homestay.com: Global homestay and student accommodation marketplace with listings in 80+ countries. Adjacent competitor offering alternative student lodging formats (homestay) that partially substitutes for the verified apartments Uhomes aggregates.

Others

• Vita Student: UK premium student accommodation operator (one of Uhomes' core exclusive partners). Included as a partner/broad incumbent rather than competitor — exemplifies operator relationships Uhomes depends on for differentiated inventory access.

Broad incumbents

• UNITE Students: Largest UK student accommodation operator with direct booking platform. Functions both as Uhomes partner and potential disintermediation threat via its own direct-to-student channel targeting Chinese students.
• Airbnb: Global short-term rental marketplace with significant student-traveller usage. Competes indirectly for the broader international student accommodation wallet and serves as both a substitute and a potential supply-side channel for student landlords.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/uhouzz

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors6 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Uhomes