5, 6, 10 or 12 Months: Choosing the Right Fuse Contract for Your Stay

One of the more annoying parts of student housing in Europe is that most private landlords only really offer one option: twelve months, take it or leave it. If you're doing a single semester abroad, that's six months of rent you're paying for a room you're not living in. If you're not sure exactly how long you'll be staying, it's a commitment you have to make anyway, often before you've even seen the place in person.

Fuse works differently. Every room comes with a choice of fixed-term contracts: 5, 6, 10 or 12 months, with rent paid monthly throughout. The idea is simple: your housing should match how long you're actually going to be there, not the other way around.

Here's how to figure out which one is right for you.

The Four Contract Lengths, and Who Each One Is For

5 months is built for a single semester. If you're doing one term of Erasmus or an exchange programme that runs roughly September to January or February to June, this is usually the closest match to your actual dates without paying for weeks you don't need.

6 months covers the same situation with a bit more breathing room. Semesters don't always line up perfectly with calendar months, and a lot of students want a few extra weeks at the start to settle in before classes begin, or a bit of slack at the end to travel before flying home. If you're not 100% sure your semester will wrap exactly on schedule, 6 months is the safer call.

10 months is for students doing a full academic year but not quite the full twelve, common for programmes that run September through June with summer back home. It's also a solid fit if you're doing two consecutive semesters and want one contract instead of two separate bookings.

12 months is for students settling in for the long haul: full-degree students, master's students staying through the summer for research or internships, or anyone who knows they're not leaving the city anytime soon. It's also usually the contract length with the best value per month, since you're committing to the longest stay.

How Pricing Actually Works Across Contract Lengths

As a general rule across the student housing market, and Fuse is no exception, longer contracts tend to come with a better monthly rate than shorter ones. A 5 month stay and a 12 month stay in the same room won't usually cost the same per month, because the operator is taking on more turnover risk with a shorter booking.

This doesn't mean the 5 month option is a bad deal. It means you should do the actual math rather than assuming the shorter contract is automatically cheaper just because the total is lower. A 5 month contract at a slightly higher monthly rate can still come out well below a 12 month contract's total cost, simply because you're paying for less time. The reverse is also true: if you only need 5 months but you're eyeing a 12 month rate, that lower monthly figure doesn't help if you're paying for 7 months you won't be living there.

Check current pricing for your specific room and city on the Fuse listings page, since exact rates vary by location, room type and season.

What You're Actually Choosing Between: Flatshare, Coliving or Private Apartment

Contract length is one decision. Living style is the other, and they're independent of each other. Fuse offers three:

Flatshare puts you in a smaller setup with 4 to 7 housemates, your own private bedroom, and shared kitchen and sometimes living room. A good middle ground if you want some social contact without a big shared environment.

Coliving is the most community-focused option, with 7 to 15 housemates, your own private bedroom (sometimes with a private bathroom), and a wider set of shared spaces, kitchen, lounge, and depending on the building, things like a gym, outdoor area, game room or laundry. If meeting people and having a built-in social life matters to you, this is the option designed around that.

Private apartment is for students who want their own space entirely, 1 to 2 people, fully private, minimal or optional shared areas. The trade-off is less community by design, but full independence.

All three come with the same all-inclusive pricing (utilities and WiFi bundled into rent) and the same contract length options. So the real decision tree is: figure out how long you're staying first, then pick the living style that matches how social you want your day-to-day to be.

What Happens If Your Plans Change

This is worth being straightforward about. A fixed-term contract is exactly that: fixed. Once you've signed for 5, 6, 10 or 12 months, that's the commitment, regardless of how the rest of your semester or your visa situation plays out. A change in your study plans, a visa outcome, or a decision to leave early doesn't automatically void the contract or entitle you to a refund.

This isn't unique to Fuse. It's how fixed-term housing contracts work generally, and it's exactly why choosing the right length at the start matters so much. Before you book, read your contract terms carefully and make sure you understand exactly what the cancellation and refund policy says. If anything is unclear, ask before you sign, not after.

How to Decide: A Quick Checklist

Before you book, run through this:

How long is your programme actually scheduled to run, start date to end date? Is there any realistic chance you extend, finish early, or your dates shift? Would you rather have a little buffer room at the start and end of your contract, or are you confident in your exact dates? Have you compared the total cost across contract lengths for the room you want, not just the monthly rate? Are you booking early enough that your preferred contract length is still available, since shorter contracts in particular get booked up fast for September and February starts?

Booking Is Simpler Than You'd Think

Once you've picked your contract length and living style, the process is genuinely quick. Browse rooms by city, move-in date and budget with real-time availability. Pick your dates and contract length and submit your selection. Sign your lease digitally, usually a couple of minutes, and complete your deposit and rent payment by bank transfer. Get your move-in details and you're done.

No lengthy upfront application, no chasing a landlord for a reply that never comes.

See available rooms and contract options

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the shortest contract Fuse offers?

5 months, designed to match a single semester for Erasmus and exchange students.

Is a 12 month contract cheaper per month than a 5 month contract?

Generally yes, longer contracts tend to come with a better monthly rate. But always compare the total cost for your actual length of stay rather than assuming the lower monthly figure is automatically the better deal.

Can I switch contract length after I've booked?

Contract length is fixed once signed. If your plans are uncertain, it's worth choosing a slightly longer option with some buffer rather than assuming you can change it later.

What happens if my visa is delayed or refused after I've signed?

Your housing contract is independent of your visa outcome. Signing a fixed-term contract is a binding commitment regardless of what happens with your visa, so read the cancellation terms carefully before you book and reach out to Fuse directly with any questions before signing.

Does contract length affect which room types I can choose?

No. Flatshare, coliving and private apartment options are all available across the 5, 6, 10 and 12 month contract lengths, depending on availability in your chosen city.