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Our mission is to deliver good quality affordable accommodation to our students and lead by example in the private sector.
Unilet houses are privately owned properties which the university leases from
partner agents and then sublets to University of Brighton students.
The university is your landlord and should be the first point of call if there are any problems or queries.
Please take the time to read through this booklet as it contains important information about your tenancy, and some helpful tips for a happy house.
Welcome
We want your experience of living in a Unilet house to be a good one and welcome your feedback to help us improve the scheme.
You can email any comments to accommodation@brighton.
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About us
THE ACCOMMODATION SERVICE The Accommodation Service is part of Student Operations and Support. We are responsible for managing your house on behalf of a private owner; but we are your landlord.
We have offices in Brighton and Eastbourne where you can access support throughout your stay at the university. If you have any questions or problems with your house please contact the accommodation team. Our contact details are on page 21.
STUDENT ACCOMMODATION CODE
The Universities UK (UUK) Code of Practice sets out the main elements of good management practice within student accommodation. It covers, among other matters, health and safety, maintenance and repair, and relationships between accommodation staff and student tenants.
It also assists students in understanding both the standards and procedures applying to their accommodation and their obligations as tenants or licensees.
The University is compliant with the UUK Code of Practice and ensure standards are maintained.
If you would like to know more about the code, please visit www.thesac.org.uk.
Your tenancy
Students are allocated a single study bedroom in a named house or flat.
The tenancy agreement is a single tenancy and contains rights for students to use the shared parts of the property.
When you accept your place in a Unilet house, you agree to abide by terms and conditions which form your legal contract with the university. This document is referred to as your tenancy agreement and you are required to agree the terms before you take up occupation. The contract is for a student tenancy and is legally binding so it is very important that you read this guide and the agreement before you accept your offer of accommodation.
YOUR TENANCY AGREEMENT
A tenancy agreement creates a contractual relationship between the university and the resident and the obligations are legally enforceable. The tenancy agreement operates within a framework of housing law, landlord and tenant law and consumer law, all of which place obligations on both you and the university.
The university’s tenancy agreement is a detailed document that explains both the student’s and
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university’s obligations so that it is clear and fair to both parties. The agreement is formed of five sections:
• General (Section 1) • Covid-19 (Coronavirus) Measures
(Section 2) • Student Obligations (Section 3) • University’s Obligations (Section 4) • Other Conditions (Section 5) • Termination of your Contract (Section 6) • Consumer Protection and Privacy
(Section 7) International students should be aware that the tenancy agreement is made under English law, which may be different to the law applicable in their own countries. Take advice before making a commitment if you feel you need it.
The tenancy is an exempt student tenancy under paragraph 8 of Schedule 1 of the Housing Act 1988. The tenancy agreements expire on the stated end date without separate notice being required (or can be terminated earlier under clause 6.3 of the agreement) and the student has no contractual right to remain in the room after that date.
WHEN DOES THE TENANCY AGREEMENT BECOME BINDING?
The contract for the Accommodation between the University and the Student becomes legally binding once: • the Deposit has been paid; and • the Student has digitally signed to confirm
they accept these terms and conditions by entering their student number and date of birth at the final stage of the on-line booking process.
PAYING YOUR RENT
You are legally obliged to pay rent to the university throughout the entire period of your tenancy agreement (clause3.2.1). You will need to pay a deposit of £250, followed by three instalments of rent.
If you think you may have a problem paying your rent you must contact the Income Office (01273 642592) at the earliest opportunity for advice.
The Student Advice Service (01273 642888) can give advice about loans or grants you may be eligible for. More information can be found here: www. brighton.ac.uk/studying-here/fees-and- finance/index.aspx.
Please do not ignore reminders about rent due. The university can and will pursue outstanding debt using debt collectors and the courts, and is entitled to terminate your tenancy agreement if the payment is overdue by 14 days or more. If the university has to sue you for non-payment, solicitors’ fees and court fees will be added to your debt, and you will also be charged interest at a rate of 3% above the base rate of the Bank of England.
STUDENT REGULATIONS AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES
Information about the university’s student regulations is contained within the Student Discipline Policy.
We recommend you read this before accepting your place in a Unilet so that you understand your obligations and responsibilities as a student of the university.
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Information about the university’s policies and code of conduct can be found on https://www.brighton.ac.uk/currentstudents/my-studies/student-policies-andregulations/index.aspx.
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DRUG AND ALCOHOL POLICY
The university has a legal responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of its students, staff and visitors and aims to provide a safe and high quality learning environment.
This includes addressing the risks posed by substance misuse, informing students of their responsibilities, codes of conduct and providing help and advice on request.
All students have a legal responsibility to take reasonable care for their own safety and that of others and to comply with this policy (clause 3.3).
Who is covered by the policy? The policy applies where there is a safety risk to the student or others, or where their conduct or quality of work affects others or the reputation of the university. The aim of the policy is to: • promote health and safety and wellbeing by
providing information, advice and support • inform students about drug and alcohol use
and misuse • provide advice on the support options
available • enable individuals with drug and alcohol–
related issues to seek help • offer guidelines to all students and staff
regarding their responsibilities and the required code of conduct
• explain how misuse may lead to disciplinary or legal action.
The university has a legitimate interest in protecting those at the university and its own reputation from the likely consequences of substance misuse.
Details of our current policies can be found on www.brighton.ac.uk/currentstudents/my-student-life/health-andwellbeing.
SMOKING POLICY
Smoking is prohibited in all areas of any university residence, including private bedrooms. A fine of £50 will be imposed if evidence of smoking inside the property is found. You may smoke in the garden, providing you keep the area free from cigarette ends.
Since 1 July 2007, England became smoke free and a new law was introduced to protect employees and the public from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke. It is against the law to smoke in virtually all enclosed public places, workplaces, public and work vehicles. Failure to comply with the law is a criminal offence and carries financial penalties. The law clarifies that ‘smoking’ refers to smoking tobacco or anything which contains tobacco, or smoking any other substance.
PETS
No animals of any kind may be kept in a university residence (clause 3.14) unless used as an aid for a disabled person and by prior arrangement.
SUBLETTING
The subletting of rooms is strictly prohibited (clause 3.12). This includes allowing the use of or sharing your room with relatives, friends, boyfriends or girlfriends.
VISITORS
You are responsible for the behaviour of any visitor you invite into your accommodation. This includes repairing damage they might cause (clause 3.8).
Daytime visitors are permitted in your
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Unilet, subject to the fire regulations that there should be no more than six people in any study bedroom at any one time.
Overnight guests are permitted:
• to stay for a maximum of two nights in a period of seven nights
• when the guest is over the age of 18 • when agreed by your housemates • only when you are in residence during your
guests’ stay.
To allow any visitor to stay at the accommodation on more than an occasional basis will be regarded as subletting and is in breach of the tenancy agreement.
UTILITIES
All your bills are included in the rent you pay, but a fair usage policy applies. There are allowances to limit the amount of energy and water you use when the bills are included.
The allowances are generous but it is important that you and the other tenants are sensible with energy and water usage throughout the contract term. You will be made aware of the energy allowances when you move into your house and made aware if your consumption exceeds the fair usage. You can explore ways to save energy on www.energysavingtrust.org.uk.
Please note that you will be charged where consumption over the fair usage allowance occurs.
CLEANING
All students are responsible for cleaning their study bedrooms, washing dishes and keeping the communal areas tidy and safe. Refuse must
not be allowed to accumulate and bins must be emptied regularly.
Cleaners will visit once a week to clean the communal areas in your house. In cases where students do not maintain an acceptable standard of cleanliness and hygiene, the services of a professional cleaning company will be employed and the student household will be charged. For advice on rubbish, recycling and cleaning, please see pages 10 and 14 or refer to the notices displayed on the noticeboard or in your house folder.
INTERNET
Standing charges and line rental charges for broadband internet access are included in the rent, but if one is available, you will be liable for the charges for all calls made from the landline. Where it is not possible to identify who made the calls, all occupiers will be held liable for an equal share of the call charges.
Under no circumstances must you add to or change the telephone or information technology installations in the residence without prior permission from the accommodation service and the property owner (clause 3.15.2).
TV LICENCE
If you plan to watch television, or stream live TV online (e.g. via BBC iPlayer), you will need to purchase a TV licence. Make sure you have the correct TV licence for your tenancy and the type of receiving equipment you have. If you do not you may incur a fine of up to £1000. You can check by visiting www.tvlicensing.co.uk.
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SAFETY
The university aims to be a responsible landlord providing safe and comfortable accommodation to our students. Please familiarise yourself with the safety equipment provided and make sure you know how they operate. Be sure to contact us as a priority if something appears faulty or is missing.
Fire blanket A fire blanket is a fire-resistant sheet which can be placed over a small kitchen fire or can be wrapped around a person whose clothes are on fire.
You will find the fire blanket in the kitchen, mounted to the wall, within easy reach of the cooker. Although we hope you never need to use the blanket, please read the instructions on the outside so you know what to do if it is needed. In cases where a fire blanket has been used, it must be replaced so please be sure to tell us.
When a fire occurs, it is important to leave the property immediately, stay out and call 999. Unless it is safe to do so, you should never attempt to tackle a fire yourself. Emergency equipment can be helpful, but it is important to know how and when to use it.
Smoke alarm Your Unilet is fitted with smoke alarms and a heat sensor in the kitchen. Where the alarms are interlinked, these also have a back-up battery system, in case the main electricity supply fails. Under no circumstances must you tamper with, or cover, the smoke alarm. Doing so could put you and your housemates at risk, and also carries a university fine of £200 (clause 3.3.1).
If the alarm is making a ‘chirping’ sound, the battery may need changing, and you should
contact your local accommodation service as soon as possible.
To make sure that the system is working properly, it is good practice to test the alarms at least once a week. If there is a fault please contact the accommodation service as soon as possible.
Carbon monoxide detector Faulty gas appliances are one of the main causes of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Carbon monoxide is a tasteless, colourless and odourless gas, so it is only possible to detect with the correct equipment. There will be a CO detector in the property which will alert you if there is a carbon monoxide leak. The CO detector should be sited close to gas boilers and gas hobs, and will sound an alarm if there is CO.
If the detector goes off you must: • Switch off all gas appliances • Switch off the gas supply • Call the National Grid on 0800 111 999 • Contact the accommodation service
Please regularly check the operation of your carbon monoxide detector by pushing the ‘test’ button. Contact the accommodation service immediately if it appears to not be working and changing the battery does not resolve this. All gas appliances in your Unilet are checked annually by a registered Gas Safe engineer, and you will be provided with a copy of the gas safety certificate.
Fire doors All Unilets have fire doors with a selfclosing mechanism fitted to the kitchen to isolate the area and protect your means of escape in the event of a fire. The door is there for your protection and should not be propped open.
Propping fire doors open may cause the door to become misaligned so that it does not close
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properly. If this happens you might be charged for repairs.
Candles The use of candles is prohibited in Unilets
(clause 3.3.1). Please do not use candles under any circumstances in your university accommodation.
Portable gas or electric heaters Portable heaters are not permitted in Unilets (clause 3.3.1). The gas central heating at the property should provide sufficient warmth for you not to require additional heaters. If you experience problems with the heating please contact your local accommodation service.
Glass If you break a window or glass door, you need to notify the accommodation service immediately. Depending on the circumstances, you may be responsible for arranging and paying for an immediate repair with matching glass.
Cookers with gas grills If your cooker has a gas grill, the door to the grill section must be left open during use. Leaving it closed may cause a build up of potentially dangerous carbon monoxide gas.
FURNITURE
All furniture in the property will comply with the Furniture and Furnishing (fire safety)
regulations 1988. There is enough furniture in the property for your needs, so please do not bring your own items unless you have requested to do so and this has been agreed by the accommodation service (clause 3.3.5).
Here is a list of what you can expect to find in your Unilet - this may vary depending on the size and configuration of your bedroom. As mentioned, please ensure you check the furnishings carefully and tell us if they do not match the description in the inventory.
Study bedrooms
Bed with mattress and mattress
Kitchen
Cooker with a separate four-ring hob, clearly visible operating controls and working auto-ignition Refrigerator
Fridge and freezer
Plumbed in washing machine
One cupboard for each student and
adequate food preparation areas Fire
blanket
Living areas
Enough seating to enable students to sit together
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Seating area such as a table and chairs or coffee table (if not in the kitchen)
Working broadband internet
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SECURITY
As tenants, you and your housemates are ultimately responsible for the security of the building you occupy (clause 3.5.2). This means that you must make sure windows and doors are locked before you leave the property, using the keys provided. All ground floor and basement windows will be lockable, and each study bedroom is fitted with a lock.
Burglaries Student houses containing laptops, TVs and other gadgets are attractive to burglars. You may want to invest in a property marking kit (more information can be found online). If the worst does happen, at least you have a better chance of having your items returned if they are found by the police.
If you are burgled please report the incident to the police and the accommodation service straightaway.
You will be given a crime reference number which you will need if you decide to make a claim on your insurance. More information about contents insurance can be found on page 14.
Lost keys If you lose your keys, you must contact your local accommodation service so we can arrange replacements. The bedroom keys will need to be cut by an authorised locksmith. There will be a charge for this and any other replacement keys.
Charges for non-standard keys may be higher than for standard keys. If your keys are lost outside of office hours you will need to make your own arrangements but please be aware that you are responsible for any actions you choose to take. In most cases it is best to stay with a friend or gain access via a housemate
until new keys can be issued. If you cannot wait your only option is to arrange your own locksmith to attend. However you will be responsible for any costs which may arise as a result. Under no circumstances should you try to force entry to the property or cause any damage.
Please be aware that it is our policy to always leave study rooms locked after visiting.
RUBBISH AND RECYCLING
When you move in, make sure that you find out when the rubbish and recycling collection days are for your street. You can find out by checking your local authority website (page 21).
Putting your rubbish out on the wrong day can create a nuisance. Seagulls and other animals can tear rubbish bags open and spread the contents around. Not only is this a risk to health, but it will make you very unpopular with the neighbours. You could also face an on-the-spot fine.
Make sure you use the bins provided. If all of your rubbish won’t fit you will need to dispose of it yourselves at the local refuse site. If you are overfilling your bin on a regular basis, you probably need to recycle more of your rubbish or request an additional bin from the council. For information on the recycling scheme for your area please contact your local authority.
Make sure you only put your rubbish out on the morning of the collection day. Remember, you could be fined if you put it out on the wrong day.
Please do not allow rubbish to build up inside the house. It is unhygienic, can attract vermin such as rats and mice and constitute
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a fire risk. Make sure it is properly contained in the bins provided.
NOISE AND ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
Unilets are typical houses in regular neighbourhoods comprised of different kinds of living arrangements. There may be families, elderly people, working individuals or other students with differing lifestyles. We expect you to be aware of the people around you and to be considerate to everyone, including those you live with. You must not cause any nuisance, offence, disruption, harassment, threatening behaviour or persistent disturbance to others (clause 3.7).
Complaints about noise are taken very seriously, and will be investigated.
Persistent complaints have resulted in the university taking disciplinary action, or the local authority confiscating equipment and taking legal action. The university also has the right to terminate the tenancy agreement under clause 6.2.
You should also consider the other tenants in the house, as late night noise, untidiness and other forms of inconsiderate behaviour can cause friction between housemates. It is worth having a friendly discussion with your housemates as early as possible to try and establish some flexible ground rules.
If you are experiencing noise nuisance from other households you should contact your local council’s environmental health team (page 21) who will be able to advise on the best course of action. You will be required to keep a record of dates and times of incidents. Environmental health teams have authority to remove stereo
equipment and prosecute people for causing noise nuisance.
REPORTING MAINTENANCE ITEMS
All repairs should be reported via our reporting
system. https://universityofbrighton.fixflo.com.
You will be required to give as much details as possible including uploading photos where appropriate. We will be alerted to the issues reported and will take the appropriate action. Although maintenance must be reported to the university through the link above, works will be carried out by our partner agent.
All emergencies must be reported by telephone directly to the accommodation office on 01273 644100, or to the out of hours number you will find on the noticeboard in your house.
Our repairs standards are:
Emergency repairs Any repairs which are required in order
to avoid a danger to health or safety of the residents or serious damage to the building or residents’ belongings, e.g. flood, gas escape, electric shock, etc.
– within 24 hours of report of defect.
Urgent repairs Any repairs to defects which materially affect the comfort
or convenience of the residents e.g. failure of heating or hot water supply, partial power failure, etc. – within 5 working days of report of defect.
Non-urgent day-to-day repairs Any reactive repairs not falling into the
above categories, e.g. broken light fitting, broken shelf, dripping tap, etc.
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– within 28 working days of report of defect
Reactive Pest Control Reports made in normal business hours will be
responded to within 24-48 hours. We will aim for a contractor to visit the property following a report within 72 hours.
Please note emergencies are problems that present immediate risks to your safety, security or health.
• The emergency number for the fire brigade, police and ambulance service is 999 (or 112 from a mobile).
These calls are free and can be made from any telephone or mobile.
• Should you smell gas, leave the property immediately, and call National Grid on 0800 111 999.
If the office is closed, the property owner’s contact details can be found on the noticeboard in your property. If you are faced with a problem that does not constitute an emergency please wait until the accommodation office re-opens.
It’s a good idea to know where the master switches are for the gas and the electricity fusebox and the stopcock for the water. You might need them if there is a leak or electrical fault. Details of where these are located can be found on your inventory.
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE
Your bedroom will be furnished, but there are some things you will need to bring before collecting your keys:
• Photographic identification (passport or driving licence)
• Basic provisions for the first few days, until you have time to get to the shops
• Washing powder or liquid • Bed linen, pillows and a duvet (check the
floor plan provided for bed size) • Towels and tea towels • Crockery - plates, bowls and mugs • Cutlery and cooking utensils, including a tin
opener and a bottle opener • Pans - a couple of saucepans, frying pan and
baking tray • Hair dryer and toiletries
Please remember you are sharing your accommodation with a number of other students, so try not to bring too much as there will be limited space.
You will have an opportunity to liaise with fellow tenants in advance to see what others are bringing so that you don’t duplicate too much..
COLLECTING YOUR KEYS
You can collect your keys from the Accommodation Service from the first day of your tenancy.
Our tenancies start between 16th and 19th September 2020, this is specified in your license agreement and property factsheet.
Further details about where to collect your keys will be provided to you soon, by email.
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YOUR INVENTORY
Your inventory will be available for collection when you collect your keys. Each of you are responsible for checking your own bedroom and jointly responsible for checking communal areas. The inventory is a list detailing the condition of the property and its contents before you moved in. It is important to check you agree with the comments on the inventory, and make a note of anything that has been missed.
If you see any discrepancies please record as much detail as possible and email the accommodation office within 5 days of the date you collected your keys. If possible, please take photographs in case of disputes later on. If you do not inform us of any discrepancies you may be held responsible, and invoiced at the end of the tenancy, for damage not noted on move in.
You will be supplied with electrical appliances to make your stay with us more comfortable. If you have any problems with these items or are not sure how to use them, please seek advice from either instruction booklets if they are supplied, or accommodation staff.
Washing machine To avoid damaging the machine empty pockets before washing your clothes and take care not to overload the machine. It’s also important to clean the filter and the soap drawer regularly.
Oven Greasy ovens will set off smoke detectors, so do keep your oven clean. You may want to line the bottom of the oven with foil, which you can easily remove when it becomes dirty.
Fridges and freezers With several people sharing a fridge it’s easy to forget about what’s inside. Regularly go through the fridge and throw away old food.
Extractor fans These are essential in helping to prevent condensation. There will certainly be one in your bathroom and may be one in the kitchen too. You must not tamper with the extractor fan, do not disable it and report any faults with it straightaway.
OUR ACCESS
We will require access on certain occasions, and you are obliged to allow us entry subject to conditions outlined in clause 4.4. We will normally give you 24 hours notice of our visit, unless in an emergency.
In most cases we will have keys so your presence is not necessarily required, unless we specify otherwise.
TERMLY PROPERTY CHECKS
Part of our contract with the owner of your house is to carry out regular property checks. These will normally be carried out termly. We will give you at least 48 hours notice, in writing, of our visit.
Ideally, all members of the household will be present when we carry out the check visit. Be aware that we will inspect the entire house,
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including each study bedroom, whether that student is present or not.
The visit is an opportunity for us to identify any areas of concern, and for you to let us know if there are any problems. We may offer advice about housekeeping, or property care, and we will always give you feedback after our visit. We also let the letting agent know if there are any matters which require their attention.
Please be aware that it is our policy to always leave study rooms locked after visiting.
CONTENTS INSURANCE
One of the benefits of living in a Unilet is that individually your contents are covered by Endsleigh Insurance. Details of the cover and how to make a claim are explained in a separate leaflet which will be given to you when you collect your keys. If you think you might need to increase your cover this can be done directly via Endsleigh at www.endsleigh. co.uk.
COUNCIL TAX
As students, you are exempt from paying council tax once you are registered as a fulltime University of Brighton student.
The accommodation service will provide each local authority with a list of names of all those students residing in University Managed houses. If you receive a demand for Council Tax please contact your local accommodation service.
CLEANING
You are individually responsible for keeping your bedrooms clean, and have shared responsibility for the communal areas (clause
3.5.6), so please make sure you do your share. A little- and-often approach to cleaning is best to prevent mess and dirt building up and creating a huge task at the end of the tenancy. Here are some cleaning tips:
Kitchens • Clean up after yourself. Wash up, leave the
sink clear and wipe down kitchen surfaces after you have used them.
• Put your things away. You will have your own cupboard and enough fridge and freezer space, you should not need to leave items lying around.
• Clean the grill pan after each use. Leaving it dirty is not only inconsiderate, but is also a fire hazard.
• Don’t leave food out, as this can attract pests.
• Defrost the fridge and the freezer. Once a term should be enough.
• Keep on top of the rubbish and recycling by remembering to put it out on the correct day.
• Try to keep dried food and tins in the cupboards provided to avoid cluttering the kitchen surfaces.
Bathrooms • Make sure your shower curtain is tucked
inside the bath when showering, and wipe up any water that may have escaped.
• Use a bathmat. • Clean the bath and basin after each use. • Remove any hair from plugholes. • Use some bleach or toilet cleaner under the
rim regularly to keep the toilet fresh. • Clean up any spills.
Living rooms, hallways and bedrooms • Keep hallways free of flyers, menus, free
newspapers and other junk mail. Recycle what you don’t want and return unwanted mail to the sender unless it is addressed to
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the property owner, please drop this mail off at the Pavilion Properties office.
• Do not keep bicycles in hallways. They damage walls, can dirty the carpet and also block escape routes.
• Regular vacuuming will keep the carpets in good condition.
• Mop up any spills as soon as possible. Invest in some carpet cleaner and use it to spot clean the carpet as needed. You will be charged for any new stains on the carpets.
• Take care not to burn the carpets. Putting hot hair straighteners and ironing on the floor will result in melted patches. You have been supplied with an ironing board, so please use it because you will be charged for new burn marks.
• Do not put posters up on the walls with blu tac or sellotape as this can damage the walls. Any damage will be charged back at the end of the tenancy. Use noticeboards instead.
• Do not smoke in the house under any circumstances. This is against the terms of the licence (clause 3.9), and will be subject to a £50 fine.
Drains Drains can easily become blocked, and if they do you are likely to be held responsible. Clause 3.5.5 clearly outlines your obligations. However, blockages are easily avoidable. • Scrape leftovers into the bin before washing
up. Rice is a common cause of blockages. • Use a drain guard or sink strainer. • Do not pour cooking fats or oils down the
sink. Pour cooled oils (not hot!) into a suitable container and dispose of in the household waste, and wait for fats to solidify before disposal.
• Regularly clear hair from bathroom plugholes.
• Do not place anything other than toilet paper down the lavatory. Wipes, sanitary products, cotton wool or cotton buds are
the typical culprits for a blocked toilet, and must be put in the bin instead.
• Slow draining plugholes are an indication that there is a blockage. There are several drain unblocking products on the market that should get things flowing freely again.
• Pay attention to outside drains too. You may need to keep them clear of leaves or litter to prevent them becoming blocked.
CONDENSATION
There is always moisture in the air, but cooking, taking baths and drying clothes indoors can create more in your home. If it can’t escape, moisture can build up in the air in your house. When it gets colder, the air cannot hold all the moisture and this is when condensation appears.
Condensation that does not dry out causes mould, mildew and rot. It appears mainly in cold or wet weather, on cold surfaces like exterior walls, and in places where there is little air movement. It can be seen as black mould spots in corners, on or near windows and in and behind wardrobes. Allowing moisture to escape will reduce the build-up of condensation, so it’s very important you heat and ventilate the property.
Preventing condensation Here are some tips to help prevent it: • Use the extractor fans. Do not switch them
off or tamper with them. • If you must dry your washing inside please
open a window to allow for ventilation, and wherever possible use the outside washing line if one is available to you.
• After showering or bathing, open the window for approximately half an hour and leave the door open.
• Leave bedroom doors open when you are home – this allows air to move freely around the house.
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• Leaving a gap between the walls and your bed or other furniture also allows the air to circulate.
• Open the window or switch on the kitchen fan if you are cooking or washing up.
• During the cold winter months in particular, heating your house is essential to prevent a build-up of condensation.
If you notice black mould forming, you have a problem with condensation and should follow
the above advice closely. If you allow the problem to get worse then it is likely that you’ll be charged for the cost of redecoration.
Mould can be cleaned off with a mould removal product, clean it at the first sign to prevent it spreading. Please wear gloves when applying cleaning products.
ELECTORAL ROLL
The electoral roll (or electoral register) is a listing of all those registered to vote in a particular area. It is published every November and around October you will be asked to complete an electoral roll registration form.
It is a legal requirement that you complete the form and return it to the local council even if you are not eligible to vote. Should you have any further queries, please contact your local council. Their details can be found on page 21.
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POST
It is likely that you will receive post for previous occupants. Please return unwanted mail to the sender by crossing out your address, writing ‘return to sender’ on the envelope and putting it in a post box.
Any post addressed to the property owner should be handed to your local accommodation service or Pavilion Properties as soon as possible for forwarding.
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CHARGES FOR DAMAGE The accommodation service will invoice students during the tenancy where possible, or after you have left for any damage caused whilst in residence.
Where damage is caused anonymously the university is entitled to charge each student for a proportion of the cost. The university will exercise reasonable discretion in deciding whether to share the charges among all occupants of the house.
Where accommodation has to be cleaned or decorated before it is fit to be re-let, we will charge the full cost of cleaning, decorating and repair to the outgoing tenant(s). Allowances will be made for reasonable wear and tear, and the replacement of items or redecoration required as part of ongoing property maintenance will not be charged to students.
To avoid being charged you will need to have: • Fulfilled the obligations of your tenancy
outlined in the section ‘Your Tenancy’. • Not damaged anything in the property, or
allowed any visitors to cause damage. • Thoroughly cleaned the entire house.
Communal areas (kitchen, lounge, bathroom and hallway) are the responsibility of the whole group and you are responsible for the cleanliness of your own room. Full details of cleaning requirements will be detailed in your end of tenancy information.
• Not left any belongings without prior agreement.
• Responsibly disposed of any rubbish. This means putting it in local authority bins, taking any large items to your local refuse site, or arranging a special collection through the local authority or rubbish clearance company.
• Returned all keys. • Provided a forwarding address.
In the event of a complaint about charges, please contact your local accommodation service in the first instance.
ENDING YOUR TENANCY AGREEMENT EARLY
If you wish to end your tenancy early, you must get in touch with the accommodation service to discuss your options (see below). In some circumstances, it may be possible to break your contract with the university, provided that this has been agreed by us and is subject to conditions set out in clause 6.3 of your tenancy agreement.
I am leaving university… If you are withdrawing from university you will not be allowed to remain in the property. You will be required to complete an accommodation termination form, return your keys to the accommodation service, and leave your bedroom clean and tidy.
Your rental liability will be ended when we receive your keys, and you will be charged an administration fee of £50.
I am staying on my course, but would like to move out of my accommodation You have signed a legally binding contract with us and have committed to pay rent for the full
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tenancy period. If you wish to leave your accommodation before the end of the tenancy period, you will need to find another suitable full time University of Brighton student not already in one of our residences to take on your room before we can end your liability for paying rent.
The university is under no obligation to find a replacement tenant. However, if the accommodation office is aware of students looking for accommodation they will try to help where possible.
Bear in mind that it is not always easy to find another student to take your room. In the first few weeks of term there may still be students looking for accommodation, but as the year progresses the number of people looking decreases. Think carefully before committing yourself to any other living arrangement before choosing to leave your Unilet.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
The University of Brighton is committed to providing a fair environment that embodies and promotes equality of opportunity and values the diversity of all members of our community. To reflect this we ensure that there is no discrimination in the provision and letting of accommodation and that all tenants are treated respectfully and fairly.
Discrimination on grounds of disability, gender, sexual identity, marital status, family or caring
responsibilities, race, colour, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, age, gender identity, national origin, nationality, trade union membership and activity, political or religious beliefs, work or study pattern or contractual status may be unlawful as well as representing a breach of university policy.
YOUR PERSONAL DATA
Your personal data is processed by the University for the purpose of managing your application for accommodation and to fulfil its contractual obligations to you in the provision of your accommodation. It may also be collected to fulfil legal obligations and/or regulatory duties that it owes to its regulators and to other third parties.
Accommodation Services collects your personal data from the following sources: • Personal details from the University
Student Record System. • The information contained on your
accommodation application form. • Information provided by you during the
application process and whilst a resident in the accommodation.
For more information on how we collect and process data please go to https://staff.brighton.ac.uk/ahs/docs/ Accommodation_Services_Privacy_ Statement.pdf
UNIVERSITY CONTACTS Brighton Accommodation Service Student Operations and Support University of Brighton The Manor House Moulsecoomb Place Lewes Road
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Brighton BN2 4GA
01273 644100 [email protected]
Eastbourne Accommodation Service Student Operations and Support University of Brighton Room G3 Trevin Towers Gaudick Road Eastbourne BN20 7SP
01273 643848 [email protected]
NON-UNIVERSITY CONTACTS
Sussex Police (non-emergency) 101 www.sussex.police.uk
Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 www.sussex.police.uk Brighton & Hove City Council Main Switchboard 01273 290000 www.brighton-hove.gov.uk
Eastbourne Borough Council 01323 410000 www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk
Royal Sussex County Hospital (Brighton) 01273 696955 www.bsuh.nhs.uk/hospitals/royal-sussexcounty-hospital
Citizens Advice Bureau Adviceline 03444 111 444 Consumer service 03454 04 05 06 www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Victim Support Supportline 08 08 16 89 111 Sussex victim care support tem 0808 168 9274 www.victimsupport.org.uk
Talk to Frank (Drugs and alcohol advice) 0300 123 6600 www.talktofrank.com
Samaritans 116 123 www.samaritans.org
Brighton & Hove Buses 01273 886200 www.buses.co.uk
The Big Lemon Bus Company 01273 681681 www.thebiglemon.com
Stagecoach Buses (Eastbourne) 03456 00 22 99 www.stagecoachbus.com
National Rail Enquiries 03457 48 49 50 www.nationalrail.co.uk
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