Student Information
You really do need to read this and more importantly take note. Be warned, without taking time to evaluate your potential new home properly, you may live to regret making any hasty decisions.
1) What to look for:
The Exterior
- The roof looks sound, there aren't any tiles missing.
- The gutters and pipes aren't broken or leaking.
- The window frames aren't rotten.
- The windows aren't broken or cracked.
The Interior
- No signs of damp - e.g. dark patches, peeling wallpaper or flaking paint.
- Few signs of condensation such as mould on the walls.
- There aren't any signs of pests, like slug trails and mouse droppings.
Gas & Electricity
- The plugs don't get hot when switched on. There are plenty of sockets.
- The wiring doesn't look old, there aren't any frayed cables.
- The gas fire heats up properly and isn't heat stained (if it is it may be dangerous). You know when it was last serviced and have been shown the valid Gas Safety Certificate.
- The cooker works!
Plumbing
- There is hot water.
- The taps all work properly.
- The bath and basins aren't cracked, and the toilet flushes properly.
Security
- Does it have a burglar alarm?
- Does it have a smoke detector?
2) Standards of Accommodation:
Gas Safety Certificates
All landlords now have to carry out annual gas safety inspections (with a CORGI registered engineer) by law and provide each tenant with a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate. If you are a new tenant, then you should be issued with a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate before you move in.
Fire Safety - Furniture and Furnishings
On 1 January 1997 the final phase of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988 came into force. This means that furniture and furnishings supplied in let accommodation must comply with the fire and safety requirements in the Regulations. All residential premises including flats, bed-sits and houses where furniture is supplied as part of the let are covered by these regulations. The type of furniture covered by the regulations are: any upholstered furniture including chairs, sofas, children's furniture, beds, head boards (if upholstered), mattresses, scatter cushions, seat pads, pillows and even garden furniture if it is upholstered and can be used in the dwelling. Carpets, curtains and duvets are not covered by the regulations.
Carbon Monoxide
If you have gas appliances in your house, Carbon Monoxide is a possible danger. It's invisible and odorless, but it can kill.
Watch out for.....
- Gas flames that burn orange or yellow rather than blue.
- Sooty stains on or around your appliances.
- Solid fuels that burn slowly or go out.
Know the symptoms....
- Unexplained drowsiness.
- Giddiness when standing up.
- Headaches.
- Sickness and Diarrhea.
- Chest pains.
- Unexplained stomach pains.
Bills....
- Clarify what is included in your rent. For instance, some landlords include water rates, others don't.
- If possible, ask the previous tenants the rough cost of gas, electricity and water.
- Take readings of the relevant meters as soon as you can once the last tenants have left.
- Change the bills to your name with the relevant suppliers from the time you move in .....decide whether joint names will be put on the bills or if the responsibility will be divided.
Insurance
- Don't think of doing without it - the number of burglaries and thefts in student houses is rising!
- Shop around to find the right insurance package for your requirements.
- Make sure that you're covered over the vacations.
Council Tax
- Properties where all the occupants are full-time students will be exempt. You may be asked to produce a certificate giving evidence of your student status; this certificate will be obtainable from your faculty office after you have registered on your course.
- If one or more of the occupants of your house is not a student the house becomes taxable so you must clarify whether you are expected to pay anything towards the cost.
- If you are unsure about your status with regard to Council Tax then seek advice from your Student Advice Centre.
TV Licence
If you do get a knock on the door you'll no doubt have discussed the fait accompli. 'I'll just say I thought that you'd got one', or 'We don't need one cos we're students' or 'We only watch ITV'. The response will, of course, be 'Oh, sorry Sir/Madam I didn't realise. I apologise for disturbing you. I'll let you get back to EastEnders'. If you want the lowdown on the real facts, they are as follows. Students are covered by the same licensing requirements as the rest of the population. A licence will be needed by a student living in halls, a bed-sit or a flat. If you live in a shared house one licence is needed per house as long as you have a joint tenancy agreement. If you have separate agreements with the landlord you will need separate licence's.
Type of Contract
The protection you have largely depends on your status as an occupier. However, an Assured Short Hold Tenancy Agreement ( England ) or Short Assured Tenancy ( Scotland ) are the most common. These can be made for a specific period of time, for instance, one academic year, but they will not usually be made for a period of less than 6 months. Please note that if you are staying in Home Stay or with the owner of the property then you will not be a "Tenant" and should therefore not be required to sign a contract.
If you are sharing a house then you may be asked to sign a joint tenancy or a separate tenancy. If you sign a joint tenancy then you will all be responsible for each other's debts and damages. If you have your own contract then if there are any discrepancies, the argument is between yourself and your landlord and should not involve your housemates.
Points to Note
- Rents must be agreed before the contract is signed since this is a binding agreement. Remember you can negotiate with the landlord over rents, opt out clauses etc. if you are not happy with the landlord's suggestions.
- You cannot give notice during the period of the contract, if no such clause has been added to the contract. If you leave before the end of the fixed term then you (or your housemates) remain liable for the remaining rent.
- Always try to get your contract checked - the Students Union Advice Centre/Accommodation Office or Citizen's Advice will be able to check your contract.
- Remember to get a copy of your contract!
- Landlords must comply with relevant legislation on Notice to Quit and Termination of Tenancies. A Notice to Quit also has to contain prescribed information. A Landlord cannot simply evict a tenant without a Court Order which will be granted only on certain grounds. See your rights
Deposits
You will normally be required to pay a deposit to the Landlord as security in case you damage the property or furnishings. Most landlords will ask for a sum equivalent to four weeks' or a calendar month's rent but the maximum a landlord can charge by law is a sixth of the annual rent payable in England and Wales and two months rent in Scotland. The deposit should be refunded normally within 28 days after you have vacated the property, provided there are no problems with the condition of the house. In order to ensure that you get your deposit back:
- Ensure that you have a written statement from the landlord explaining what is covered by the deposit. If the landlord gives a verbal explanation, write to him/her to confirm the details.
- Ensure that you have a receipt for monies paid.
- Ensure that you have a full inventory of furniture. Get the landlord to sign it. You may wish to take photographs.
- Take reasonable care of the house and furniture during the tenancy.
- Towards the end of your tenancy write to the landlord inviting him/her to inspect the property.
- Settle all the bills.
- When you leave return all the keys to the landlord and make a written request for the return of your deposit. Keep a copy of the letter. Rights:
Your Landlord is responsible for........
- Keeping in repair the structure and exterior of the dwelling house, including drains, gutters, and external pipes.
- Keeping in repair and proper working order the installations for the supply of water, gas, and electricity and for sanitation (including basins, sinks, baths and sanitary conveniences, and for heating rooms and heating water.
- Providing you with the landlord's or agent's full name and address.
- Providing you with a copy of the valid current Gas Safety Certificate ( see Standards).
- Allowing you to "peacefully enjoy" your accommodation. Unless there is an emergency.
- Landlords or their agents have the right to enter the property at reasonable times to carry out the repairs for which they are responsible and to inspect the condition and the state of repair of the property.
You are responsible for.........
- Acting in a "Tenant-like manner". This means you should perform the smaller tasks around the house such as mending the electric light when it fuses, unblocking the sink when blocked with waste, clean the windows when necessary.
- Not damaging the house, if you do then you and your guests are responsible for the repairs.
- Refuse collection! Remember to put the wheelie bin out - and to bring it back in again - it's illegal to leave it on the street.
- Securing the property when you go away - lock all doors and windows!
- Being reasonable about noise and parties - weekends are better and let your neighbors know in advance.
- Reporting all repairs needed to the Landlord (preferably in writing). The landlord's responsibility to repair begins only when they are aware of the disrepair. If the fault is not corrected within a reasonable period of time (dependant upon the nature of the disrepair) then seek advice from the Students Union Advice Centre/ Accommodation Office or Citizen's Advice.
Harassment and Unlawful Eviction
If your landlord wants you to leave your house then a legal process must be complied with before you can be evicted. This will include written notice and applying to the Court for a possession order. If you are evicted without the landlord following the correct process then the landlord is committing a criminal offence. In addition, if the landlord (or someone acting on his or her behalf) interferes with your peace or comfort either with unannounced visits, by not fulfilling his/her responsibilities for basic repairs (as listed above), disconnecting utility supplies etc. then this may amount to harassment which is a criminal offence. If you are in danger of eviction or suffering from harassment by your landlord then contact the Student Union Advice Centre, your local Council's Housing Advice Team, or your Council's Anti-Social Behavior Team. Citizen's Advice also produce a booklet entitled "Protection Against Harassment and Unlawful Eviction "
Related Links
- Why Rent From Rooms4U
- Enviromental Awareness
- Help & Advice
- Our Contract
- Useful Links
- Questions & Answers
.JPG)
.JPG)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)