STUDENT HOUSING: YOUR PRACTICAL GUIDE TO FINDING YOUR NEXT HOME
Housing made easy
TABLE OF CONTENTS 03. 1...2...3 steps to finding a house 04. What’s out there? 05. Location, location, location... 07. Letting agency or landlord? 10. So you’re looking at houses 11. Charges for what? 13. Sign here... your contract 15. Tennant rights and responsibilities 17. Mould 18. Housing Health 19. The big bad student budget 21. Links and resources
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1...2...3 STEPS TO FINDING A HOUSE Find people you want to live with. We recommend you aim for 4-5 people total as this is average size of student houses in Bournemouth. Agree on priorities such as large kitchen, equal size rooms, large lounge, location, etc. This streamlines the viewing process!
View as many properties as possible, keep an eye out for things on the ‘look for during viewings’ list later in this booklet.
Once you all agree on the house put down a ‘holding deposit’ which will secure the house.
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What’s out there? Houses, flats, halls? So much! Check the next page for locations to look but here are some private halls if you’d prefer: ✺17A Christchurch Road ✺ Skyline ✺ Oxford Point ✺ Mercury House ✺ Belaton House ✺ The Artisan ✺ Hurn House
Finding (and sticking with) housemates There are loads of ways to find housemates: via course mates, societies, etc... Once you have a few people in mind its best to ask a few questions like: ✺ Do you usually opt for nights out or in? ✺ Are you working or do you work late? ✺ Do you cook and do you like to do it alone or with friends? ✺ Do you have friends or partners over all the time? ✺ Do you prefer cleaning as a group or your own individual areas? ✺Do you have a budget for rent and bills?
Once you all move in communication and boundaries will be key to a happy home!
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WINTON
✺ Where most students live ✺~15-20 minutes from campus ✺~40 minutes from town
WALLISDOWN
✺ Very close to uni and more residential ✺~5 minutes from campus ✺~40-50 minutes from town
TOWN
✺ Where most halls are ✺~45 minutes from campus ✺~5-10 minutes from town
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CHARMINSER
✺ Close to Winton but a bit cheaper ✺~30-35 minutes from ampus ✺~30-40 minutes from town
WALLISDOWN
UNI
WINTON CHARMINSTER
TOWN
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LETTING AGENCY
PROS
✺ They list loads of student properties which makes it easier to find somewhere. Because of this you will have lots of choice (but this doesn't mean they will all be great!) ✺ You can look at reviews!
CONS
A company that acts as the ‘middle man’ between the landlord and tenant. They usually deal with the admin and repairs-- but this can sometimes be done by the landlord. Quality of service can range greatly between each letting agency so make sure to google reviews!
✺ International students need to have a guarantor based in the UK, pay the money upfront, or pay a service for one. ✺You may get a “late charge” for key returns, rent, etc... ✺Will usually only offer fixed term contracts for 11/12 months. ✺ Can be slow to get problems fixed because thy manage so much. ✺ You not speak to the same person each time you ring or email.
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O
R
LANDLORD A person who rents out their property directly and deals with all of the maintenance, admin, and other tasks to do with tenants with little to no external support.
CONS
✺ If they are on holiday they may not be able to help you. ✺ It can be tricky to find private landlords as they typically opt to use letting agencies do the work. ✺ You may not be able to look at reviews to see what level of service they give. ✺ International students will have the same issues with guarantors as letting agencies.
PROS
✺ You will deal with the landlord directly. ✺ You may have the ability to negotiate tenancy lengths. ✺ You May be able to have repairs done quicker as they manage fewer properties.
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SO YOU’RE LOOKING AT HOUSES ✺Damp and mould: you can see and smell it (gross!). Make sure you check walls, ceilings, and around windows as this is where it usually lives. ✺ Pests: look around bins, windows, kitchen cupboards and counters, as this is where they usually live.
Speak to the current tenants to learn more about their perspective!
✺Location: proximity to uni, groceries, and activities along with transport links to get around. ✺Inventory: what do you get with the house (furniture, whitegoods, kitchen appliances) and is it good quality? ✺Insultation: is the house warm or cold when you visit. This will be a good indentation of what living there will be like and if it is well insulated you can save £££ on bills. ✺Facilities: test the shower pressure and toilet flushing for very high or low pressure.
Get a full guide on Save the student (direct link at the end!)
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CHARGES FOR WHAT?
Recent legislation states that landlords and letting agents can’t charge additional fees to potential tenants beyond a ‘holding fee’ which has to be refundable and not exceed one weeks rent.
MAKING IT OFFICAL Here’s what you should expect to pay when you sign the paperwork: ✺ A deposit~ one months rent typically. This will be held safely and returned to you (-) any charges the landlord/agent feel are fit to cover A holding fee ensures that the property is off the market until damages at the end. you sign all of the paperwork ✺ First months (-) the holding fee.
making your tenancy official. It does not mean that you are the tenant and should be completely refundable.
DEPOSITS Its the law that landlords and letting agents have to hold your deposit safe within a ‘deposit protection scheme’ until the end of your tenancy. Deposits provide security for the landlord to cover any damages you may have caused to the property. The best way to avoid larger charges is to take loads of photos when you just move in, leave the house sparkling clean when you leave, and to make sure you don’t leave any damages to the property.
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POTENTIAL CHARGES Here are some things you may be charged for while living in your house/flat: ✺ If you make late rent payments ✺ If you lose your keys ✺ If you want to end your tenancy early You are allowed to—and should—ask your landlord or agent about any potential charges you may face before signing any paperwork, so you aren’t hit with unexpected charges. It should also be written into your tenancy agreement.
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SIGN HERE...
YOUR CONTRACT You will most likely have an ‘assured shorthold tenancy’ which means that you and your guarantor are only liable for your portion of the rent. If you don’t have an assured shorthold tenancy you may be in a ‘joint and several’ tenancy agreement which means that everyone is responsible for the rent if one person doesn’t pay their portion. We are more than happy to look over your tenancy agreement if you are concerned or just want another pair of eyes to check it!
Tip: don’t let your landlord or agent panic you into signing!
for more information on all of these check out the right to rent checklist on the gov.uk website
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WHAT SHOULD COME WITH IT? How To rent: The checklist for renting in England (From gov.uk). Inventory outlining everything you will get + its condition. Gas safety certificate.
Energy performance paperwork.
A report showing condition of of properties electrical installations.
Deposit paperwork to prove that they’ve put your deposit away securely and properly. It should be under a deposit protection scheme.
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TENNANT RIGHTS + RESPONSIBILITIES Your rights ✺ To live in a property that is in good repair. ✺ To live in a safe property that adheres to all fire safety regulations. ✺ To see an energy performance certificate ✺ To see a gas safety certificate ✺ To have your deposit protected. ✺ To be protected from unfair eviction and rent. ✺ To know who your landlord is. ✺ To have a quiet enjoyment of your property. ✺ To challenge excessively high charges.
Your responsibilities ✺ To take good care of the property. ✺ To pay the agreed rent, even if repairs are needed, or you’re in dispute with your landlord. ✺ To pay for or repair any damage caused by you, your family, or friends. ✺ To only sub-let if your your tenancy agreement or landlord allows it.
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TIPS FOR KEEPING ON TOP OF YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES Have a weekly cleaning regiment (bonus points if you do it as a house). Report all repairs that need to be done and track them in a digital file (in writing) for when you move out. Make the agency or your landlord aware if you are unable to pay on time. Don’t have super crazy parties that could lead to damages.
Take videos of property before you move in and after in case they charge you for pre-existing damages. Try to be as detailed s possible!
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MOULD (GROSS!) It can be gross, and dangerous, and all around annoying, so here are some practical tips:
prevent ✺ Open your windows when cooking, bathing, and showering and make sure to use the extractor fan for more ventilation. ✺ Use lids on sauce pans while cooking. ✺ If you are drying your clothes inside make sure to open your windows. ✺ Use the heaters (if only for a little bit) and a dehumidifier.
remove ✺ Only do it yourself if it covers an area smaller than 1m x 1m. ✺ Use PPE like a KN59 mask, gloves, and goggles. ✺ Use a clean rag, water, and fairy liquid to clean the mould away. ✺ Bin the rag that you used, and make sure to wash your clothes straight away.
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A (SAFE) HOME SWEET HOME You have the right to live in a safe and suitable house. Don’t feel like yours is liveable? The council may be able to help. It is within your right to call them and request that they carry out an assessment to see if there are any hazards that could affect your health. If they do find that the property needs repairs to meet health standards the council can take action against your landlord or carry out the repairs themselves and charge your landlord later.
health ✺ Damp and mould ✺ Excessive cold ✺ over crowding
safety ✺ faulty gas boiler ✺ Fire Risks ✺ Dangerous electrics
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THE BIG BAD STUDENT BUDGET Housing, bills, transport, groceries... theres a lot to keep in mind when you start thinking about what you can / cannot afford and how to budget what you have. The Futures team can be great for helping you find, and secure, jobs... but even if you do have a job what then? Here’s a bit of basic guidance:
You can try bartering with utilities and bills companies to get a lower price! Track your earnings for two months then have a serios look to see where you can cut back (getting take out 5 days a week? Try only 2 times instead)
High yield savings accounts can help grow your money!
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HOW TO MAKE A BUDGET 01. Look at your income (if its your maintenance divide this by however many months until your next instalment) 02. Work out necessary payments (rent, utilities, bills, transport, groceries). These will be ‘nonnegotiable’. 04. Give yourself a ‘fun money’ budget this is for going out, restocking products, take out, etc...). 05. Can you get any of these prices lower (groceries, nights out, utilities, etc...)? 06. Only have one months worth of £ in your bank account to try and avoid loads of impulse spending!
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advice Citizens Advice- www.citizensadvice.org.uk Shelter- https://england.shelter.org.uk/ Save the Studenthttps://www.savethestudent.org/accommodation
mentioned How to rent checklisthttps://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uplo ads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1188064/DLUH C_How_to_rent_Oct2023.pdf
AUB student padwww.aubstudentpad.co.uk/Accommodation
Rent Calculator- www.savethestudent.org/rent-calculator
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Got any other accommodation or budgeting questions? Book a meeting with the student advice team by going to the bookings page and clicking ‘Accommodation and budgeting advice drop-in’
@aubsupport
@aubchampions
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