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CONTENTS
Moving to University.............................1
Finding a house in the Private rented Sector...........................3
During Your tenancy.............................14
Moving Out........................................................26
Information provided by NUS and adapted by Newcastle University
Students’ Union (NUSU) Student Advice Centre
Ok we get it! It’s boring! It’s time consuming and you might think you don’t need to know this stuff. Whether you read through this now or keep as a reference guide it is important information which might come in useful. As a very minimum pass it to a parent or anyone acting as a guarantor for you whilst you are renting as a student.
Moving to University
Applying for accommodationFirst things first, you need to decide where you are going to live and when to start looking. If you are going into your first year, you will have been sent application forms by your institution, provided it has accommodation. It’s important that you return this by the deadline to make sure you get your desired place.
Some halls also allow you to choose who you live with, or identify characteristics you have so that they can match you up with compatible flat or roommates. For example:
Single sex accommodationWhether you are a smokerSocial interests or hobbiesSubject or courseAge rangeEnsuite accommodation
However lots of halls and student accommodation allocate people to rooms randomly, which can be a fantastic opportunity to meet new people, especially if you are new to the area. Sometimes this can not work out though.
Standards for student accommodationLiving in halls of residence can be a great experience. For many of you, it’ll be your first experience of living communally or away from home.
Student accommodation should be good quality housing because lots of it is signed up to Government approved ‘codes’. There are two organisations which run these, one administered by Accreditation Network UK (ANUK) and the other by Universities UK.
The ANUK code covers private providers, universities and colleges, and the UUK code covers universities and colleges only. You can check who your accommodation is signed up with on these websites.
NUS sits on the boards of both codes to ensure their effective running and to feedback from students. The Housing Act 2004 introduced a requirement for all student accommodation in England and Wales to be signed up to a ‘code’ or to be licensed by the Local Authority. Although the legislation only concerns England and Wales, many private providers in Scotlandare signed up to the ANUK code.
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How do the codes work?
You should expect your accommodation provider to be committed to high standards of management. However, there may be times when accommodation does not meet the standards laid out in the codes. It’s vital this is flagged up as to alert both the accommodation providers but also those managing the codes of the types of problems that are occurring and ensure they are rectified.
Your accommodation manager is required to let you know which codes they’ve signed up to. This may be through information in welcome packs, posters or marketing material around the building(s). You should ensure you are going for accommodation that is signed up to the codes to safeguard you and ensure you get the best possible accommodation.
If you’re not happy with your accommodation, report the issue to your accommodation manager. If you continue to be unhappy you should find out about how to make a complaint and go and speak to your students’ union. If you are in accommodation under the UUK code, the complaint will go through your university or college’s complaints procedure and eventually to the UUK Code board and the OIA (ww.oiahe.org). If your accommodation is under the ANUK code, you should contact the national code administrator.
There is more detailed information on the UUK and ANUK sites regarding how to make a complaint. Remember, if you’ve made a complaint, with your students’
union’s help, but you think your health is in serious danger and your accommodation manager is not acting appropriately, get in touch with your local council housing or health and safety service.
If you believe a university/college/accommodation provider is behaving really badly and providing terrible accommodation to their students, it is crucial you inform NUS about it. NUS belongs to the UUK and ANUK boards of management, and has the chance to rectify issues for students.
Students feeling the pinch as accommodation costs riseAccording to the 2012/13 NUS & Unipol report, average weekly rent has gone up by 25 per cent in the three years since their last survey. In 2009-10 it stood at £98.99 and by 2012-13 it has reached £123.96. This steep rise was heavily loaded into the first two of these years (23 per cent). The increase exceeds inflation substantially and the economic impact on students is compounded by no parallel rises in levels of available financial support.
Student housing charity Unipol and NUS have frequently expressed concern at ever increasing rents with fewer property types being available for rent. Universities and private providers need to ensure that affordability and choice are reflected in the development of accommodation.
Different types of accommodationStudent accommodation comes in a wide range of types. It may be accommodation that is owned, and managed by your university or college. However it may also be owned or managed by a private company, either independently or in partnership with your university or college.
Student accommodation can look and operate very differently from one block to the next. Some are like small houses, others are large, purpose built blocks which house thousands of students. Some have shared kitchens, whilst others are fully catered so you will not have your own cooking facilities.
Some are designed like flats, others a bedroom on a long corridor. In recent years there has also been an increase in ‘studio flats’ where one or two people have an individual flat, with their own bathroom and kitchen facilities. There has also been a large increase in ‘en-suite’ accommodation – this is where you will have a small shower room or toilet attached to your bedroom.
Some of these options will suit some people better than others, depending on the amount of money you want or are able to spend on your accommodation, your lifestyle and preferences.
Finding a house in the Private rented Sector
Housing glossary
To help you get your head round some of the confusing terminology around housing, we’ve compiled a glossary to make everything a bit clearer.
Contracts
Fixed-term contractThis is a contract that states when the tenancy begins, and when it will end. Often students will rent on a 12-month fixed-term contract. This also means that if you leave the tenancy before the end date, you are likely to be liable to pay the rent until the end of the contract, or find a replacement tenant.
Rolling contractShould you continue renting the property past the end date on a fixed-term contract, or have a contract with no end, your contract will end when either the landlord or tenant give notice to quit (at least four weeks).
Individual contractIf you have a separate agreement between you and the landlord/agent, and another tenant leaves, he landlord/agent can not ask that you cover their rent.
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Joint contract If you and your housemates all same the same contract you are ‘jointly and severally liable’ for money owed – for example if someone leaves the contract early - or damage caused.
DepositA deposit is a returnable sum payable to the owner/agent. It is normally held against any end-of-tenancy rent arrears, willful damage and any essential cleaning.
DwellingYour main place of residence.
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)A document detailing to prospective tenants the energy performance of the building potentially being rented. This should be made available to you at the viewing stage
EvictionThe legal process of a landlord removing a tenant from their property, and in most cases can only happen through proper court procedures. Without court approval it is illegal to evict most tenants. A landlord also cannot evict a tenant if they have not protected the tenant’s deposit (where applicable).
House in Multiple Occupation (HMO)A house which is occupied by three of more unrelated persons, who do not form a single household. If the house is occupied by more than 5 people, living on 3 or more floors, forming two or more households, then this property is legally required to have an HMO license.
In some local authorities, other types of HMO may also need license or planning permission, if the local authority have additional licensing requirements.
HMO licenseThis is documentation which tests the property’s physical standards through the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) and confirms that the landlord is a ‘fit and proper’ person. Licenses may cost a landlord a few hundred pounds, and if a landlord is found to be letting a licensable HMO without one, they can be fined up to £20,000.
Gas Safety CertificateA Gas safety certificate is a certificate that is required by law to be held for all rental accommodation in the UK where there are gas appliances present.
LandlordPeople who live in property for which they pay a rent or charge to another person will be either tenants or licensees, depending on the terms of the agreement which lets them live in their home. The person who is the other party to the agreement will be the landlord or licensor.
Letting agentIs an organisation or an individual who carries out functions on behalf of the landlord and tenant. This may include letting properties, collecting rent or managing the property on behalf of the landlord.
TenanciesAssured Short hold Tenancy (AST)This is the most common type of tenancy in the private rented sector. Key points about the AST include that the tenant has six months guaranteed possession, and agreed rent, and legal entitlement to tenancy deposit protection (TDP).
Excluded TenanciesExcluded tenants are those which live in accommodation with their landlord, and share facilities such as kitchen or living space.
LicensesThis type of tenancy related to where a tenant does not have exclusive use of their accommodation; for example if a service such as cleaning is offered.Educational establishments may issue licenses. A licensee will not have the same rights as someone on an assured shorthold tenancy. The notice period will depend on the agreement, but often at least four weeks’ notice is required.
Private Rented Sector (PRS)The Private Rented Sector (PRS) is defined as accommodation that is privately owned, that is, not by a social landlord, and rented out, usually at a profit. The PRS covers all forms of accommodation and varies in quantity and quality from place to place. The percentage of private rented housing in the housing market continues to grow.
Purpose-built accommodationThis is accommodation – usually large – which is let specially to students. It may be ‘halls of residence’ type accommodation, and may be catered or ‘cluster flats’ where smaller groups cook their own food. Individual rooms may have en-suite bathrooms, or share facilities. The may be run by a university or college, or by a private supplier.
Tenancy Deposit SchemeLandlords entering into new Assured Short hold tenancies tenancy agreements are required to place any deposit with a Government authorised scheme, which will safeguard the money and offer independent adjudication in the event of any dispute.
Deciding who to live withIf you are moving on from halls, your parents’ or your own home, then renting a shared property is often cheaper than living alone and can be a great way of getting the most out of your time at university or college.
However, differences in lifestyles can lead to tensions. Even if you’re living with your best mates. Compromise is vital for everyone’s sake, and sharing means bills and housework as well as space.
To avoid stress and heartache, if you are choosing who to live with, it’s worth considering the following:
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What are your priorities?Think about what are the most important traits in a housemate – is it someone who’s tidy, fun, a good cook or doing a similar course?
How much privacy do you need? Some people will happily never close their bedroom door, whilst others really value their own space and possessions. By working this out before you move somewhere you can prevent a lot of tension.
What are your bad habits? Everyone - including you - has different habits and tastes. You need to make sure you recognise this, and learn to be tolerant.
Early bird or late owl? You might want to think about whether you mind what time people go to sleep and wake up as a factor in your compatibility as housemates.
Be honest about your interests and what you want out of a housemate, it’s better to not live with a friend who’s not going to be a compatible housemate, then risk ruining a friendship.
Dealing with disputes-Mediation
Sometimes tensions can become too much and friendships become very strained or reach breaking point. Sometimes, living in a shared house or flat in close proximity to each other can quickly lose its appeal. This can cause practical issues particularly when you live together. In most cases you are legally bound to your contract and it isn’t as simple as just leaving. Newcastle University Students’ Union (NUSU) Student Advice Centre have trained community mediators who can facilitate a mediate session with all parties to try and help reach a resolution.
Top 10 house-hunting tipsStill house-hunting or need to move accommodation? We’ve put together a handy list of 10 top tips to consider when looking for a new place.
1.The number one rule is never to rush. Look out for when your institution and students’ union advertise the start of house-hunting. It is strongly advisable not to sign for a property before Christmas for the next academic year. If you are first years and considering a shared property, you will have only known each other a few weeks. This is not a sufficient amount of time to gauge whether you wish to legally bind yourself financially to people you don’t really know. The idea that the best houses will get snapped up is one encouraged by landlords and letting agents who are scared their house won’t get rented if they leave it until later. Owners of good quality and decent value houses are likely to wait
longer before trying to rent the property as they’re confident they’ll find students who are interested later on. Additionally, some tenants haven’t decided if they are moving out yet so these properties are not being advertised. Therefore what is being marketed in the early months of the lettings season (November onwards) are not necessarily the best properties.
2.Always view the house where possible and try to speak to the current housemates. They’ll be able to tell you the things that you won’t find out otherwise such as whether the property suffers from damp, and whether the landlord or letting agent is easy to get in touch with if issues arise.
3.Be very cautious if you experience any pressure to sign a contract. If the property is so great, why do you need to sign right now? Always make sure that you’ve had the time to make a considered decision and a chance to discuss it properly with everyone you’re going to live with.
4.Read your contract thoroughly and if possible, get it checked by your Students’ Union or institution. If there is anything within it that you’re not happy with, you can go back to the landlord or letting agent and suggest changes.
5.Find out if the contract is going to be joint with other tenants. If it is, this means that you’re all both jointly and individually responsible for the rent. That means if one person does a runner or even if someone drops out and moves back home, they could chase any of you for the money, or your parents if they’re listed as your guarantor. Make sure you’re
happy with this arrangement before you sign on the dotted line. The national charity, Shelter provide some useful information on this topic for tenants in England, Scotland and Wales.
6.Find out if there’s an accreditation scheme in your local area. These offer a kind of ‘kitemark’ to show that any houses registered with it will meet certain standards, and offer an independent routefor raising complaints if you believe the standards haven’t been met during the tenancy.
7.It’s not just the rent level you need to think about to make a budget. Ask to see a copy of the Energy Performance Certificate when viewing properties, to find out how energy efficient the property is. The higher rated the property is, the cheaper it’ll be to keep warm. You should also consider the location and how much travel is likely to cost you as this can make a big difference to your budget. If you’re renting from a letting agent, ask what fees they’ll be charging as well. If you’re in Scotland, letting agents aren’t allowed to charge any fees to the tenant, so refuse to pay them if asked.
8.Try putting together a budget with different rent levels to see how much disposable income you’ll be left with. The Student Calculator website lets you add up all your income (e.g. student loan, wages) and subtract your expenditure (e.g. rent, bills, food) to work out what you’ll have left each month.
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9.Ask your new landlord or letting agent where they’ll be protecting your deposit. It is against the law to take a deposit and fail to place it within a government scheme in all parts of the United Kingdom. You should receive evidence that it is protected, and if you’re in England and aren’t sure, you can check using Shelter’s website.
10.Remember, safety first! Ask to see the Gas Safety Certificate, and find out if the property will be fitted with a smoke alarm and Carbon Monoxide detector.
Looking around a houseNUS have created a house-hunting checklist which you can take when viewing properties to help you decide if the house or flat is right for you and more importantly, safe and healthy. This is just one version. You can also download one form the Shelter website. Or even create your own. Whichever the cause, it is important that if you are
not provided one that you create your own. Don’t assume this is up to the landlord to do. This may protect your deposit at the end of your tenancy.
Once you have decided what type of property, what location and what cost you want, you can start looking around some houses. If possible, it’s always better to see properties in person – photographs can be misleading.
Remember it’s advisable to look at least three properties so you get a sense of
Remember it’s advisable to look at least three properties so you get a sense of what’s available, though people may choose to look at a lot more than that. Consider comparing what you can get for your money in different areas. Popular student areas do not necessarily mean better quality of accommodation. It’s also a really good idea to take photos of everything so you can remember things realistically when you are deliberating over houses later.
Take the house-hunting checklist with you and go through things systematically. When you arrive also put on the heating and lights to make sure things work properly.
Take your time in each property, it will be worth it in the long run. Ask for subsequent viewings if necessary.
Different types of housingIf you are coming through clearing, your university or college doesn’t have any accommodation of its own, or you are returning to university or college then you may be looking at renting privately.
In different areas and in different circumstances you will need to start looking at different times. Get in touch with your students’ union or Accommodation Office to find out about the options in your area.
Lots of students, like plenty of other people renting, live in HMOs. These are rented properties of three people or more,
where at least two people are not related.Students are also likely to be living in licensable HMOs. These are rented properties of five people or more, in a property of three or more floors, forming two or more households. Landlords need to obtain licenses for these properties, and meet certain physical and management standards.
Remember, in many areas there is a surplus of housing you can chose from. So don’t feel pressured or panicked into signing up for the first house you see. Even if you are in an area with a housing shortage, it’s vital you take time at the beginning of the house hunting process to get organised and think about what your priorities are.
Your Students’ Union may run housing fairs, events or one to one advice on housing issues so do speak with them as they will have lots of experience and knowledge of local housing.
Signing a contractContracts are legally binding documents – both for you and your landlord. Remember, your University may be your landlord. Contracts can protect you and ensure your landlord behaves in a certain way or delivers on their promised. However it will also oblige you to do things too. If you breach your contract - ie by not complying with what you have agreed to in it – you may be subject to eviction, fines or even court action.
1.Don’t panic
Often you will be told that there are no more houses, or that there’s a queue of people waiting to sign the house you are looking at, to encourage you to sign for a house quickly.
This is why it’s important you find out about your housing market, as in many places there is actually an over supply of rented accommodation. Even if you are studying in one of the areas where supply exceeds demand, it is still not worth being pressured into something. Take time to read over the contract, check what it means and get a third party – your students’ union, Shelter or Citizens Advice Bureaux – to look over the contract for you to make sure it’s reasonable. You might also want to check out the Office of Fair Trading’s guidance on Unfair Terms (www.oft.gov.uk).
Only once you have had some time – at least 24 hours and actually have read the contract and thought through all the information on these pages, should you consider signing the contract. Newcastle University Students’ Union (NUSU) Student Advice Centre offer a contract review service which may also assist in identifying anything of concern or explaining the contract to you.
2. Think about who’s responsible for what
In some cases, you and your housemates will all sign an individual contract. However in lots of cases all tenants will sign the same contract. This can mean that you are all ‘jointly and severally’
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liable for things like paying the rent. This means that if one tenant leaves, doesn’t
pay their rent or damages the property, you may be left having to pay. This is why it’s so important that you think long and hard about whom to live with, and make sure it’s someone you trust.
Lots of landlords and letting agents will also require a ‘guarantor’ – this may be a parent or other individual who will be liable to pay rent or other money should you not be able to. If you are on a joint contract, check the wording of this to ensure that your guarantor is not joint and severally liable for your other housemates.
3. Check for extra costs
Are there other fees to pay in addition to the rent? For example, does the landlord or letting agent charge a referencing, booking or admin fee? These are non-returnable fees in addition to the deposits which some people will charge. These can range from £50 to over £150. Make sure you include such charges in your estimates of how much this property will cost you.
4. Check the contract has everything it needs
a. Some things that you should see on a contract:b. Name and address of landlordc. Names and contact addresses of the tenantsd. Address of the property – make sure this matches the address of the house you looked at.e. When the contract starts, and when it will end (if a fixed term contract)f. Reasons why the contract may endg. The amount of rent payable, when payable, how it is to be paid,h.What the rent includes, and what it doesn’ti. The amount of deposit, where the deposit will be protected (if applicable)j. Tenant obligations (legal requirements and specific requirements to that contract) – remember to get someone to check this to ensure they are not unfair termsk. Landlord obligationsl. Any work that will be completed prior to tenant moving in
Most students will be on an assured shorthold tenancy. If you are on such a contract, you have particular rights and responsibilities, including that of Tenancy Deposit Protection.
5. Check the inventory
With your contract you should also have an inventory. This is a list of everything that comes with the property, and their condition. This is often not given out until you move in but really should be given before you sign the contract so you are clear what is included with the tenancy. Read this carefully and ensure that everything is listed, and you agree with the description of it. Does everything on it match up with what you saw and felt in the property? If not, speak to the landlord and get this altered to descriptions and details you both agree with.
6. Ask for other necessary documentation
HMO LicenseLots of students will live in properties that are legally required to be licensed. These are properties with 5 or more people who are not all a part of the same immediate family living on three or more floors.In some areas, other rented properties also need a license. This is why it’s important that before you start house hunting you familiarise yourself with the rental market.
If your property does require a license, ask your landlord for a copy.
EPCsAs part of the EU Directive 2002/91/EC tenants renting a property should receive an Energy Performance Certificate which rates the energy efficiency of your home. Landlords are legally required to provide you with this information. It can be really useful in terms of working out how much
your property will cost in real terms. For example a property rated at F or G will cost a lot more in heating and electricity bills than one rather A B or C, which may determine what property you ultimately choose.
7. Sign it
Once you have checked the contract, looked at the property, seen all the necessary paperwork and had a third party check the contract, you are ready to sign for your new house.
Remember; don’t pay any money to a landlord or agent – like fees, rent or other deposits –until after you have signed the contract. No one wants to fall prey to a scam where someone runs off with your money.
8. Keep a copy
Photocopy the contract and keep it for yourself. This will come in handy if you need to check out anything during your tenancy or need to speak to an Adviser in your Students’ Union or other local housing advice service. You might also want to get a copy to send to a parent or someone else for safe keeping.
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DepositIn most cases your University is not legally bound to protect any deposit they take from you as you are usually not on an Assured Short hold Tenancy. However, if you are in a privately owned or managed accommodation block it’s likely you will be on an Assured Short hold tenancy, which means you are legally entitled to have your deposit protected.
Codes of standardsEvery university or college and private developer who providing halls of residence type accommodation in England and Wales is required to belong to a ‘code of standards’ or be licensed through their local authority.
During Your tenancyMoving inWhen it gets to the day when you move in there’s a few useful things to remember.
• Takephotosofeverythingwhenyou arrive; things may have changed since the last time you looked around the property
• Checkwhetherrepairs/refurbishments / replacements that were promised have been completed
• Checkwhetherrepairs/refurbishments / replacements that were promised have been completed
• Checkyourelectricityandgasmeters and record the readings and who your suppliers are• Makesureutilitybillsareinyourname and that there are no outstanding issues.• Ensureyouhavekeysforalllocks (windows, doors, cabinets etc), and spares if necessary• Movetheessentialsinfirst–you can probably live without posters, pictures and plants for longer than you can without a kettle, some food and bedding!• Youmayalsowanttosortoutadditional features, such as arranging for broadband or digital television • Discussamongstallthetenantswho is arriving when. Sometimes the first person to arrive may be asked to complete an inventory/Schedule of condition on behalf of others.
CostsRemember cost isn’t just about rent – you may have a number of fees at the beginning of your tenancy, as well as bills and deposits to consider.
Rents can vary widely across the country, in some areas you will be lucky to find a house or flat for less than £100 per week, whilst in other areas you may pay £50. Most full time students are not able to claim housing benefit, though some students may be eligible, for example part time students, students with children and disabled students.
Check your contract to see whether other costs are included. For example water, electricity, gas, insurance, internet, a telephone line may all be necessary extras on top of your rent.
Full time students are usually exempt from paying council tax. Part time students are not, but may be eligible for council tax benefit.
Your Students’ Union or another advice service should be able to advise you on approximate average costs. You can then work out how much this will be per person. Remember, some bills are often paid quarterly whilst others are more likely to be paid monthly. You can often find payment plans which best suit you and your cash flow.
If you have a television, it’s important you purchase a TV License.
Your rights and responsibilities as a tenantHere are some basic pointers of your rights and responsibilities as a tenant in the Private Rented Sector.
The law entitles you to some basic rights as a tenant. These include the landlord maintaining the structure of the house, as well as things like ensuring your boiler and water works properly.
You are also entitled to ‘quiet enjoyment’ of your property. This means that your landlord can’t harass you in your home or
come round without notice.
They also will be responsible for dealing with repairs and maintenance. These should be completed in reasonable time, depending on the urgency of the repair. Try to keep correspondence about repairs in writing, rather than telephone calls as this can be useful should you need to make a complaint about your landlord.
In return, you as a tenant have a responsibility to pay your rent on time and behave in a ‘tenant like manner’. In other words, treat the property like your own home: with respect, report faults or breakages and be a good neighbour.
Gas Safety Tips from the Gas Safe RegisterAdvice and resources from the Gas Safe Register about how to keep your home safe from gas risks.
Gas Safe Register is the official list of gas engineers who are legally allowed to work on your gas boiler, gas cooker and gas fire. Gas Safe Register has an interactive gas map, which identifies the most dangerous postcodes in the country. The map, www.staygassafe.co.uk, reveals how many unsafe gas appliances have been found lurking in an area and is the first time that gas data has been compared across postcodes.
The data, compiled by Gas Safe Register, which has inspected just under 100,000 homes in Great Britain in the last three
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years, found that one in six homes - the equivalent of 4.28 million households - had an unsafe gas appliance.
Since gas safety can be a matter of life and death, Gas Safe Register advises the following:
1. Visit www.staygassafe.co.uk to find out about the gas dangers and risks in your area.
2. Get all of the gas appliances in your home safety checked and maintained annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer – this will ensure that your appliances continue to work safely.
3. Sign up to a gas safety check reminder at www.staygassafe.co.uk so that you never forget to do this vital and life saving check.
4. Don’t fall victim to illegal gas work - only use a Gas Safe registered engineer and ask to see their Gas Safe ID card.
Being a good neighbour1. Introduce yourself to your neighbours when you move in and establish a good relationship. Some people may find it daunting to approach neighbours they do not know well, but getting to know one another will help to develop a good relationship. That way you can get in contact with each other should any problems arise.
2. Volunteer in your local community. Whatever your interests, talents or skills may be, there are opportunities for everyone. It will impact positively on your life, as well as the lives of those you volunteer for. It offers you a chance to become involved in a project or with an organisation you really care about or develop a new skill. It’s also a great opportunity to meet new people.
3. Respect your neighbours. Whether, student or non-student, remember that if you are coming home late, there’s a high probability you’ll wake at least one house up if you are shouting down the street. Try to keep noise to minimum and don’t leave litter on the streets – that’s not nice for anyone. And remember, keep safe on your journey home and don’t travel alone.
4. Love your home. If your landlord is responsible for the maintenance of the house, there’s still no excuse! Let your landlord know if there is something that needs tending to, and keep copies of all your correspondence. You should always try to rent from an accredited landlord.
5. Register to vote. This is how you can have a say on the issues that affect your local neighbourhood, as well as who gets elected to Parliament and even to Europe. It’s really important that everyone in a community engages with local decision making; if students don’t vote or engage with local issues then we don’t get listened to and your issues don’t get raised.
7. Keep it locked. Remember to lock your windows and doors. No-one wants to get burgled, or live next door to somewhere that keeps getting broken into. It’s upsetting, it’ll make your insurance go through the roof and everyone feel unsafe. A quarter of all burglaries happen through unlocked windows and doors - which may have been avoided.
8. Keep your neighbours in the loop. Be sure to let your neighbours know if your house is going to be empty for a considerable period – whether this is you going on holiday, on a placement or on a study break. This means they can keep an eye out for anything suspicious and that they know they are next to an empty property.
9. Party monster? If you a planning to have a few people over, do tell your neighbours. Having the occasional party is everyone’s prerogative. If you decide to hold one, hold it at the weekend or at a time agreed with your neighbours. Tell your neighbours about the party, keep the noise to a reasonable level, and agree a time to end it by. Make sure your friends leave quietly and you clear up any debris.
10. Find out when the bin day is. It’s the local authority’s responsibility to provide a waste collection service, but as residents we all need to make sure that we help it run effectively. This is by far the issue that we hear up and down the country that irks residents the most. No-one wants a street with rows of overflowing bins. If there’s a problem with your waste collection, let your students’ union and local authority know!
11. Plan your exit. It’s important to think about how you’re going to leave your house when your contract ends. This may seem like a long way in the future, but this can be one of the most stressful periods of your year. Make sure you plan ahead and leave the accommodation in a good condition for the next tenants. There may also be special refuse collection or recycling services put on to assist in these periods when lots of students may be moving to a different house. Check with your local authority or students’ union for more information.
WellbeingWhatever type of housing you are in whilst you study, relationship breakdowns between you and the people you live with – be that family, friends or total strangers – can have a huge impact on your studies and your general wellbeing.
For students moving away from their permanent residence, the transition can take a bit of adjustment, perhaps of your behaviours or assumptions or getting used to different kinds of people.
In your first year, it’s unlikely that you will have chosen your room or flatmates. This is often a good thing; you meet a wide range of different people with different life experiences to you and from different places.
However, occasionally personalities or lifestyles can clash and you may not like who you are living with. It’s OK not to like everyone, however it’s important that you are tolerant and polite to everyone and don’t let assumptions about people get
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the better of you – there are lots of people who can be best friends but very different from one another.
If there are people you really do clash with, or who upset you, it’s important that you communicate, negotiate, compromise and empathise with other people. The more you talk about things, the more you will understand why someone acts a certain way, or indeed help them to change their behaviour if it is upsetting you. Communication is essential; if possible you should at least try to talk directly to the person who is upsetting you.
In some cases you may not feel this is possible, and so it’s important that you talk to friends, tutors, wardens or accommodation staff about the issue. If you feel you or another housemate is being bullied by someone you should report this report this to someone. All universities and colleges will have policies and procedures relating to bullying, harassment and equality and diversity issues, which should be taken seriously.
Bullying For lots of you, living in your accommodation will be great, and you will have met lots of people that will remain good friends, and potentially future housemates. However, this isn’t the case for everyone, and it’s easy to forget that people living near you may not be having such a positive experience. ganged up on, or threatened, it’s really important to speak to someone.
Remember that bullying or harassment is unacceptable, and there are policies in place in Unions, Universities and Colleges to protect students from this kind of thing. Check your student handbook, or accommodation websites to find more information on this.
Try and speak to your flatmates – they may genuinely not know that they are acting in a way that’s unacceptable to you.If they don’t respond to this, then it’s vital you take the matter further.
Go and talk to someone in your Students’ Union. If the first person you speak to can’t help, then try someone else.
If you are member of a club or society, chat to someone on the committee. They are likely to be a third year, or a finalist so will know who you should talk to or be able to offer some advice.
If you are in a situation at the moment where you are unsure of your living arrangements, see if your Students’ Union or Accommodation Office are putting on any housing advice events. These will often have time for people to meet one another, or lists of people looking for room mates.
Tips if you think someone is being bullied:Be friendly, often people being bullied can be really isolated. Talk about day-to-day things; what’s been on TV, their course, what they’ve been up to, rather than focussing on the bullying, unless they want to talk about that.
Here are some top tips, should you be in a similar situation:
Recognise the difference between ‘settling in’, ‘personality clashes’ and ‘bullying’. Of course the first few weeks will be strange for everyone, but if you begin to feel at any time like you are being singled out, Confront the perpetrator.Put yourself in their shoes. if you’re not sure if it’s bullying or banter, put yourself in their shoes and try to imagine how they are feeling.
Protect yourself from electrical dangersHere’s some great adivce from the Electrical Safety Council on how to keep safe from electrical accidents in the private rented sector.
Electricity can be dangerous on average, every week someone in the UK dies in an electrical accident in their home. Almost half of all domestic fires are caused by electricity and, if you live in a privately rented house or flat, statistics show you are at a higher risk of electric shock.
Here are a few steps to Protect yourself and those you live with:
Check
That sockets, switches and light fittings are in good condition with no signs of damage such as cracking or burn marks. That leads (flexible cables) on appliances aren’t damaged or frayed.
That any electrical appliances provided by the landlord have up to date PAT (Portable Appliance Test) stickers on them. Although this is not a legal requirement, it is recommended by the Electrical Safety Council. A typical PAT sticker looks like this
and will have been filled in by the electrician who inspected and tested the appliance. (PAT testing is not generally required if the appliance is under a year old.)
That the consumer unit (fusebox ) has RCD protection. An RCD is a life-saving device that protects against electric shock and reduces the risk of electrical fires. It looks like this:
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Warning signs
If you see any of these in a rented property - be warned –they show that an electrical installation is old and it may not have had the proper safety checks:
Cables are coated in black rubber, lead or fabric.
The consumer unit (fusebox) has a wooden back, is made of cast iron, or there are a number of them in the same area.
Old, round pin sockets and round light switches, cables covered in fabric hanging from ceiling roses, brown and black switches and sockets mounted in skirting boards.
Light switches mounted on the wall in the bathroom.
Ask the landlord for…
A report confirming that the electrical installation has been assessed and is safe to use (called an Electrical Installation Condition Report, previously referred to as a Periodic Inspection Report or PIR). The Electrical Safety Council recommends that a periodic inspection and test should be carried out by a registered electrician at least every five years or on change of tenancy.
Certification confirming that any recent electrical work meets the UK national standard BS 7671.
Remember
Not all electrical accidents are caused by faults – some are due to people’s behaviour. To reduce the risk of electrical accidents and fires once you are in your rented property stick to a few simple rules:
Don’t overload sockets
Don’t attempt to use electrical appliances from overseas in the UK. Products manufactured for use in other countries may operate at a different voltage and frequency.
Don’t attempt any repairs to the electrical wiring or appliances yourself
Don’t take mains-powered electrical products into the bathroom
Don’t touch electrical appliances or switches with wet hands
Don’t plug adaptors into adaptors
Do tell your landlord immediately if you think there’s a problem with the electrics
Safety in the homeWhen choosing a place to rent, you’re also choosing a home. It’s important that you are safe there. Here’s a few tips to make sure you avoid some common problems.
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide leaks can lead to severe illness and even death. The main cause of this is usually faulty gas appliances emitting dangerous levels of this silent, odourless killer.
Regulations have been introduced to tackle this and they state that all landlords must have their gas appliances checked for safety every twelve months by a Gas Safe registered engineer. They should also provide all new and existing tenants with a copy of the safety check record.
All students should demand this evidence from their landlord, regardless of whether this is a university, college, private individual or a lettings agency. There are also a number of detection devices are available on the market to monitor carbon monoxide levels in your home.
Fire, furniture and electrical safety
Other important issues for potential tenants to consider when they are seeking accommodation are those of fire, furniture and electrical safety (link to page on electrical safety). What you can do:
Ensure that smoke detectors with working batteries have been fitted in appropriate places within the property, and check to see that there are fire blankets in the kitchen;
Make sure each gas appliance is checked annually by a Gas Safe registered gas-installer (your landlord should deal with this).
All furniture and furnishings should be made from fire-resistant materials and there should be a label attached which confirms this compliance;
Check all electrical plug sockets for signs of damage, and that there are sufficient socket outlets for your needs;Ensure that there is a clear, safe and uncluttered means of escape from the building, and be especially wary of properties where the windows are barred.
Crime
Report any suspicious behaviour. Student houses often have a higher concentration of valuable goods such as electronic equipment than a family home and as such this can make them prime targets from crime which makes them targets for thieves. If there is an alarm on your property, use it. If you don’t it might invalidate you personal possessions insurance and the landlords building and contents insurance. This would mean a landlord might pursue you for their losses.
Rogue LandlordsShelter has a running campaign, Evict Rogue Landlords. The purpose of this campaign is to encourage the government, to produce a clear plan to tackle rogue landlords and show his commitment to private tenants by ensuring that all local authorities sign up to a minimum standard accreditation scheme.
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With only 2.2% of landlords a part of a professional body, there’s plenty of pitfalls to private renting.
Codes of standardsEvery university or college and private developer who providing halls of residence type accommodation in England and Wales is required to belong to a ‘code of standards’ or be licensed through their local authority.
NUS sits on the boards of both codes to ensure their effective running and to feedback from students. The Housing Act 2004 introduced a requirement for all student accommodation in England and Wales to be signed up to a ‘code’ or to be licensed by the Local Authority.
Although the legislation only concerns England and Wales, many private providers in Scotland are signed up to the ANUK code.
How do the codes work?
You should expect your accommodation provider to be committed to high standards of management. However, there may be times when accommodation does not meet the standards laid out in the codes. It’s vital this is flagged up as to alert both the accommodation providers but also those managing the codes of the types of problems that are occurring and ensure they are rectified.
Your accommodation manager is required to let you know which codes they’ve signed up to. This may be through information in welcome packs, posters or marketing material around the building(s). You should ensure you are going for accommodation that is signed up to the codes to safeguard you and ensure you get the best possible accommodation.
If you’re not happy with your accommodation, report the issue to your accommodation manager. If you continue to be unhappy you should find out about how to make a complaint and go and speak to your students’ union. If you are in accommodation under the UUK code, the complaint will go through your university or college’s complaints procedure and eventually to the UUK Code board and the OIA (ww.oiahe.org). If your accommodation is under the ANUK code, you should contact the national code administrator.
There is more detailed information on the UUK and ANUK sites regarding how to make a complaint. Remember, if you’ve made a complaint, with your students’ union’s help, but you think your health is in serious danger accommodation manager is not acting appropriately, get in touch with your local council housing or health and safety service.
If you believe a University/College/accommodation provider is behaving really badly and providing terrible accommodation to their students, it is crucial you inform NUS about it. NUS belongs to the UUK and ANUK boards of management, and has the chance to rectify issues for students.
Problem LandlordsAlthough many students enjoy a hassle-free tenancy, we do hear cases of students encountering problems with their landlords. Find out how you are legally protected from your landlord’s bad behaviour, and what to do if problems arise.
Harassment is a criminal offence under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977. Technically speaking, the term harassment relates to acts by a landlord or their agent that are likely to interfere with the peace or comfort of the residential occupiers or which involve the withdrawal or withholding of services reasonably required for occupation.
As well as landlords and their agents, tenants might be subjected to harassment from third parties including co-tenant(s), neighbours, and anyone who is targeting students for crime. If this happens, contact your local authority through your Students’ Union.
Grounds for possession
Landlords can repossess their property by citing what are known as grounds for possession. These apply to both assured and assured short-hold tenancies. However, while at the end of a fixed-term agreement on an assured tenancy a landlord has to supply any one of the grounds in order to gain repossession, for an assured short-hold no grounds need to be given. For more details see the welfare officer at your Students’ Union.
Illegal eviction
This occurs when a landlord evicts, or attempts to evict, a residential occupier from all or part of their home without following the required legal procedure. In extreme cases this can involve landlords changing the locks or throwing a tenant’s property out into the street. However, more commonly it occurs when the landlord deviates less dramatically from the correct procedures.
What a landlord has to do to ensure they are not acting illegally depends on the status of the occupier. Most students living in shared houses should be given notice to quit, an automatic ground for possession and a court order. Unprotected occupiers, which includes students living in halls of residence, should be given notice, and a court order will be needed. Students who live with a residential landlord and share the facilities are excluded occupiers and only need to be given notice to quit.
Reduce your fuel billsWhen you’re looking for your next student house or flat, choosing an energy efficient property will help you keep fuel bills down. But it can be hard to find out just how energy efficient a property is. Here are some tips to help you.
When you’re viewing properties to rent, it is important to ask the landlord for the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). EPCs grade a property’s energy efficiency from A-G - A being most efficient.
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Identifying an energy efficient property will help you assess the likelihood of keeping fuel bills to a minimum.
As well as asking to see the EPC, here are some other tips to help you spot an energy efficient house:
EPC: Don’t forget to ask the landlord to see it;
boiler: If it’s fitted with an insulated jacket (75mm) heat loss could be cut by around 75 per cent;
windows: Check to see if the windows are double glazed - 20 per cent of heat could be escaping through them if not;
energy saving light bulbs: They use less energy and help you save money;
thermostat radiator valves: These allow you to turn off the heating in rooms that aren’t being used;
taps: Check that they aren’t dripping. A leaky tap will mean you’re losing water unnecessarily;
loft insulation: Check if the loft has around 270mm of insulation – this could save you around £205 a year;
draught proof doors - 20 per cent of heat is lost through ventilation and draughts. Look for a property that has easy-to-fix brushes or PVC seals fitted around the doors;
cavity wall insulation: Older properties (pre-1920) are less likely to have cavity walls but it’s worth asking the landlord
to insulate solid walls;energy saving recommended (ESR)
appliances: ESR Appliances such as fridges, kettles, washing machines and dishwashers will be more energy efficient and could save you money.
Television licencesA licence is needed if you are watching or recording television programmes at the same time as they are being shown on TV. This is true no matter what device you’re watching on (including TV sets, laptops, mobile phones) and no matter how you’re receiving the programmes (including terrestrial, satellite, cable or digital television channels). Anyone without a valid TV Licence who watches or records television programmes as described above risks prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.
When do I need a TV Licence?
If you live in halls of residence and use a device to watch/record TV in your own room, you need your own separate TV Licence.
You also need your own licence if you are sharing a house with other students and use a device to watch/record TV in your room, and your room is a separately occupied place (a separate tenancy agreement would normally indicate that this is the case).
would usually be evidence that the house is a single licensable place for this purpose).A device powered by its own internal batteries – a pocket sized TV or a mobile phone for example – may be covered by a licence at your parents’ address. However, you must not plug it into the mains when using it to received television. If there is no TV Licence at your parents’ address you will need to obtain one to watch TV.
Am I covered by my parents’ TV Licence?
Your parents’ TV Licence will not cover you away from home in most cases, except in the following rare and limited circumstances:You only use a TV/ other device that is powered by its internal batteries; andYou have not connected it to an aerial, or plugged it into the mains, to receive TV; and
Your permanent address (non term-time) is your parents’ home; andYour parents have a valid TV Licence for their home.
If you do not satisfy all of these requirements, you will need to buy your own TV Licence for your student accommodation. To check whether this exception applies to you, please contact TV Licensing on 0300 790 6090
How will anyone know if I don’t have a TV Licence?
TV Licensing’s database lists addresses that don’t have a TV Licence, including university accommodation. TV Licensing
officers regularly visit Universities with the consent and co-operation of University authorities. If you use television-receiving equipment without a valid TV Licence, you risk prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000, plus court costs, and you will need to buy a TV Licence if you still need one.
How much does a TV Licence cost?
A colour TV Licence currently costs £145.50, and a black and white licence is £49. They will remain at these rates for the next few years as the TV Licence fee has been frozen until 2017.
TV Licensing refund for students:
If you are moving back home for the summer from university and no longer need a TV Licence over the holidays, and there are three full calendar months before your licence expires, you are entitled to a refund for the unused, quarter of your licence.
You will need to ensure you buy a licence early on, by the end of September/ early October, in order to allow enough time at the end of the academic year to qualify for a refund. The refund on a TV Licence bought after April 2010 will be around £37.
If you wish to arrange a refund or would like further information, simply click on the following link: TV Licensing for Students or call TV Licensing on 0300 790 6090.
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Moving Out
Moving out of your houseWhen you get to the end of your contract, it’s important that you take a few steps to ensure you get your deposit back.
Ensure you have fulfilled the requirements of your contract
For example if you have a specific end date on your contract, have you confirmed with your landlord that you will not be re-signing? If you having a ‘rolling’ contract, have you or the landlord given the agreed notice period? Have you paid all your rent?
Leave the property as you found it
Have you made sure you have left the house clean and tidy and things in working order? Obviously some things will be subject to wear and tear, which is understandable, but make sure that as far as possible you leave the property as you found it.
Take photos of the property when you leave as proof of how you left it
Look at your photos from the beginning of your tenancy and cross reference.Think about what waste you’re leaving, and donate and recycle what you can. There may be special refuse collection or recycling services put on to assist in these
periods when lots of students may be moving to a different house. Check with your local authority or students’ union for more information.
Moving Out of HallsWhen you are leaving your student accommodation it’s important to consider a few things.
Often student accommodation will be let on a shorter contract – so it may end in May or June. Make sure your next contract matches up with this or you have made alternative arrangements over the summer months.
Student accommodation is often designed to be soundproof, secure and to accommodation student lifestyles. If you are moving into the private rented sector, this will not necessarily the case. Older houses probably won’t be sound proof, they will be unlikely to have security gates and key codes and streets will be full of people who don’t want to be woken up during the night!
Useful ContactsWelfare and Equality Officer [email protected] 0191 2393917
Student Advice [email protected] 2393979
University Accommodation Service0191 208 3333 www.ncl.ac.uk/accommodation/
Environmental Health Office & Pest ControlNewcastle City Council0191 [email protected]
Shelter North East0344 515 [email protected]
Newcastle Citizens Advice Bureau0844 499 [email protected]
Northumbria Student Law Office0191 227 [email protected]
Northumbria PoliceEmergency 999Non-Emergency reporting 101On Campus Police Officer
Student Advice CentreLevel 0Newcastle University Students’ UnionKings WalkNewcastle upon TyneNE1 8QB
