Off Campus Accommodation Information for students
Contents Equal Opportunities
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Renting a Property - Location Of Properties - Map Of Ormskirk
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Property Checklist
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Contracts - Fixed Term Contracts - Joint And Several Contracts - Licence Agreements
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Dealing With Landlords - Illegal Evictions - Harassment
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The Accommodation Team - Publication Of Registered Housing List - Advertising Vacancies - Advice And Support - Property Visits - Student Regulations - Streetwise Booklet - Data Protection And Human Rights
Looking For A House – Useful Tips
Types Of Student Accommodation
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10 13
Deposits - Tenancy Deposit Schemes - Guarantors - Summer Retainers
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Repairs And Maintenance - Gas Safety - Electrical Safety
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Rents And Bills
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Off Campus Accommodation
Introduction
Useful Information - Moving In - Council Tax - Housing Benefit - TV Licences - Insurance
Living Together - Money - Cleaning
Staying Safe - Staying Safe At Home - Staying Safe When Out
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Living In The Community - Noise - Parking
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Useful Contacts
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Refuse Collection And Recycling
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The most important thing to remember is not to panic. It is much better to take your time and choose the right house for you and your friends, than rush into signing a contract before you have found out all you need to know.
This guide provides some useful things to bear in mind when searching for properties, as well as a handy checklist and some really important information on types of contract.
If you have any questions or concerns at any point in the process of looking for a property, just get in touch with the Accommodation team who will be happy to advise you or point you in the direction of someone who can help. Happy house hunting!
Off Campus Accommodation
Moving off campus for the first time is a big step which is why we’ve put this guide together to help you find the right property whilst avoiding potential pitfalls.
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Introduction
Equal Opportunities Edge Hill University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all. The University seeks to identify and eradicate any practice which discriminates on the basis of race, disability , sex, gender re-assignment , age , sexual orientation , marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion, belief or none , or socioeconomic background .
The University recognises that equality and diversity embraces all aspects of employment and service delivery including curriculum; teaching; learning and assessment; research issues; and extra curricular activities.
The University makes it a condition of service and admission that staff and students adhere to this Statement and our Equality & Diversity Policy. Any breaches of this are dealt with under the Staff or Student Disciplinary Procedures, as appropriate.
The University makes every effort to ensure that traders, contractors, institutions, organisations or individuals who interact with Edge Hill are aware of the policy. Discovery by the University of any inequitable policy or practice by them may result in Edge Hill breaking links and ceasing to do business with them
Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: Friday:
8.45am - 6.00pm 12.00pm - 6.00pm 8.45am - 6.00pm 12.00pm - 6.00pm 8.45am - 12.00pm appointments only (please contact us to arrange an appointment using the details below) 12.00pm - 5.00pm
Telephone: 01695 584 200 Email: accommodation@edgehill.ac.uk Website: edgehill.ac.uk/studentservices/accommodation/students-off-campus Facebook: StudentsEHU Twitter: StudentsEHU
Publication of Registered Accommodation List and Housing Fair Over 300 properties are registered with Edge Hill. All of these properties have an up-todate registration form, gas certificate and contract.
Our registered accommodation list, which shows all available vacancies for the following September, is released in early December as part of our annual Housing Fair. The Accommodation Fair is a popular event on campus each year. As well as giving you the chance to be one of the first to access the registered list of properties, you can also speak to the Accommodation Team and Students’ Union and representatives from the local police, fire service and council. Make sure you keep a check on your emails and social media for details on when and where this year's event is taking place.
Our advice to students is to wait until the official Accommodation list is released before making arrangements to sign a contract for a house. In this way, you have far more choice and can be sure that all houses on the list are registered by the Accommodation Team.
You can access a list of current vacancies and September vacancies at any time by logging into the Go Portal and clicking on 'Student Accommodation Finder.'
The Accommodation Team is happy to advertise vacancies for landlords but we ask that they let us know when a room has been signed for so that we can update our database and ensure the information we provide to students is accurate.
House Hunting Workshops Before the release of the registered list of off campus accommodation, the Accommodation Team, Money Advice Team and Students' Union jointly run a series of House Hunting workshops.
These usually take place in November and are aimed at equipping you with as much information as possible prior to you finding somewhere to live. We strongly recommend that you attend one of your House Hunting workshops so be sure to keep a look out for when they are taking place.
Off Campus Accommodation
The Accommodation Team is based in the Student Information Centre and is open on a 'drop-in' basis on the following days and times:
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The Accommodation Team
Students ' Union Advice Centre You can seek housing advice via the Students ' Union Advice Centre, based in The Hub.
The Advice Centre is open at the following times:
Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday:
11.00am - 4.00pm 10.00am - 3.00pm 10.00am - 3.00pm 11.00am - 4.00pm 11.00am - 1.00pm (emergencies only)
You should make your first contact with this service during a drop in session, with the hope that their issue can be resolved promptly during this time. For those issues that are more complex, the advisor who is assigned the case will then work with you to set up times for you to seek further support .
If you are unable to come attend a drop-in session due to course/work/ family commitments then the Advice Centre will still continue to offer appointments outside of the drop in times and will be able to offer flexibility in relation to when you can attend.
Drop In sessions will operate on a first come first served basis and you will be advised by reception as to the likely wait time when you arrive. If you are unable to wait then you will be encouraged to come back to another drop in session or alternatively a pre booked appointment may be made if your availability is limited.
The emergency drop in on Fridays will be used to deal with emergency cases only and is primarily there to ensure students who are dealing with complex issues will not be left to wait over the weekend before they can seek support from an advisor.
It is important to thoroughly read this at the start of the year to familiarise yourself with the university’s expectations of you. Behaving responsibly is especially important when you are living in a residential area off campus and it is vital to remember at all times that you are an ambassador of Edge Hill.
The Accommodation Team has the power to impose disciplinary action against any student living off campus found to be in breach of any clause of the Student Regulations. Streetwise Booklet This is available via our website edgehill.ac.uk/studentservices/accommodation/students -off-campus. It is designed to provide students with useful general information with regard to fostering good neighbourly relations, staying safe, drinking sensibly, steps to take to reduce the risk of fire, recycling and much more.
The Streetwise booklet is produced in partnership with Lancashire Constabulary, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and West Lancashire Borough Council. It is important that you read it.
Data Protection and Human Rights Please note that in all dealings with you and with the landlord, Edge Hill adheres strictly to the requirements of the Data Protection and Human Rights Acts. This means that we cannot disclose information about any individual to any third party without their permission.
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Off Campus Accommodation
Student Regulations (Incorporating Code of Behaviour and Disciplinary Procedures) A copy of the Student Regulations handbook is provided to students at the start of each academic year. The handbook stipulates the basic minimum behavioural requirements of all students at Edge Hill.
Renting a Property Living in a student house is fun as well as challenging. As well as other people to talk to and socialise with, you will find that rent and bills work out cheaper.
There are downsides of course. The more of you there are, the more potential there is for friction. Simple things like keeping supplies stocked up and keeping the house clean can lead to disagreements. If you have previously lived in halls you will be aware how quickly things can get out of hand.
Therefore, it is vital that you give careful consideration to who you want to live with. You may think you know the people in your halls now, but living in a house with three or four others changes things.
Once you know who you’re going to live with you can start looking for properties with the number of bedrooms you need. Student houses generally contain three to six bedrooms and these often vary in size and rent. Make sure you all discuss between yourselves who is prepared to take on the larger rents for the bigger rooms and who prefers the smaller rooms for the smaller rents
Location of Properties The majority of properties on the Accommodation List are located in Ormskirk. Most are in or near to the centre of the town so are within a twenty minute walking distance of Edge Hill. Alternatively, you can use the EdgeLink bus service, which operates every 15 minutes from Ormskirk bus station and is free. The map overleaf will help you locate Ormskirk based properties.
A small number of properties on our list are in Southport and Liverpool, both of which are easily accessible from Edge Hill via public transport.
If you would prefer to live outside of Ormskirk and need some further advice, please call in to see the Accommodation Team.
Off Campus Accommodation
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Map of Ormskirk
Looking for a House - Useful Tips Searching for a place to live can be a frustrating and time consuming experience. However, if you are organised and remember the following useful tips, you will find that the process is much less stressful than you envisaged:
1. Wait until the list of registered properties is released in December. This will provide you with more choice and you can be sure that the house you select is registered by the Accommodation Team.
2. Allow yourself plenty of time. Don’t take the first house you see.
3. Be well prepared. Take paper and a pen with you to take notes of each house you visit, as well as any discussions you have with the landlord.
4. Ensure you have a clear idea of how much deposit and how much weekly rent you can afford to pay. Average Ormskirk rents are £80.00-£100.00 per week. 5. Check your contract to see if your rent includes payment of bills.
6. Be patient. Don’t let your fellow house hunters rush you just because they don’t want to look anymore.
7. If possible, take a parent with you to look around properties. Their experience may prove extremely useful.
8. Make sure you thoroughly read all information provided by the Accommodation Team prior to visiting properties, including this booklet. If you are unsure of anything, contact us as soon as possible for advice.
9. Don’t be afraid to seek clarification from the landlord about any issues of which you are unsure. This is particularly important with regard to the contract. 10. Ask the landlord to put everything in writing to avoid any misunderstandings later.
11. Make sure you get a comprehensive inventory of the property’s contents and that you check things in the presence of the landlord. Only sign and date it, together with the landlord, when you both agree that the inventory is correct.
12. Clarify with the landlord whether you have to pay a summer retainer. This is a reduced rent that you pay for June to September to reserve the house but it does not mean that you can live there during the summer.
13. Make sure you obtain a copy of the contract after you have signed it.
14. Finally, don’t sign a contract unless you have viewed the property first and you are one hundred per cent sure! Please remember, any contract you sign is a legally binding agreement between you (the tenant) and the landlord and does not involve Edge Hill University.
Try to visit at least three houses. In this way, you can look at the checklist and see which of the houses is best for you.
Remember to record as much information on the checklist as possible. This information will really help you when it comes to making a decision about which house to choose.
Off Campus Accommodation
It is extremely important that you thoroughly inspect a house before signing a contract. The following checklist provides a useful guide as to what you should look for.
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Property Checklist
Address Name and contact details of landlord Weekly rent
Bills included? Arrangements for bill paying Deposit
Any other charges
(e.g summer retainer, internet, replacing lost keys)?
Type of contract
Length of contract Standard of house
(record any defects or maintenance issues such as damp, mould or lack of appropriate furniture)
Gas safety
(is there a gas safety certificate?)
Fire safety
(are there fire doors and a clear escape route?)
Smoke alarms
(Are they mains wired or wireless?)
Security
(do the doors and windows have adequate locks?)
Property 1
Property 2
Property 3
Types of Student Accommodation
Shared house accommodation – most properties on our accommodation list fall into this category. Students share all amenities of the house (kitchen/bathroom etc) but have sole occupancy of a bedroom/study room.
Bed-sit accommodation – a bed-sit is a unit that contains a self-contained cooking area. Bathroom facilities are usually shared.
Flat accommodation - a flat usually contains a bedroom(s), kitchen, bathroom, living room and toilet. All amenities listed are usually for the sole use of the registered tenant.
Lodging accommodation- lodgings are rooms in private households, in the landlord’s home. This kind of accommodation is generally offered on a five or seven day basis. The average rents range from £80.00 to £110.00 per week, depending on how many days the student stays and whether meals and/or cleaning are provided.
Landlords who are prepared to offer flexible contracts, for example termly or weekly lets, are more likely to be successful in attracting applicants.
Off Campus Accommodation
Self-catering accommodation - this is subdivided into three distinct types, all of which mean that the student has access to a kitchen area or cooking facilities. Average rents range from £80.00 to £100.00 per week, depending on the standard of the accommodation, facilities provided and whether bills are included.
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Student accommodation falls into two broad types: self-catering and lodgings.
Contracts It is essential that you understand the contract that you sign and that you recognise your rights as a tenant or licensee. When you sign a contract, you are creating a legal agreement between yourself and the landlord.
We strongly recommend that you obtain a written contract from your landlord. Please be aware that under the 1988 and 1996 Housing Acts, you have certain statutory rights, which protect you regardless of what contract you sign. However, although you are protected by the legal system to a certain extent, it is still extremely important that you examine the contract before signing it. The type of contract you sign will depend upon when the contract started, whether you live with the landlord and whether you share the flat/house with other tenants.
The Accommodation Team offers all landlords the opportunity to use the Edge Hill University Tenancy Agreement. This contract clearly sets out the rights and responsibilities of the student and the landlord. The most important section of this contract is the clause which allows you to vacate a property by giving four weeks notice or by paying four weeks rent in lieu of notice.
Depending on your living arrangements, the type of contract you will sign will either be an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement or a Licence Agreement.
An Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement is used if you and any other tenants have sole occupancy of the property. A Licence Agreement is used if you have a resident landlord.
Fixed Term Contracts When you receive a contract it will most likely be Fixed Term. This means that you are guaranteed occupancy of the property for the duration stated in the contract. This is normally a minimum of six months if it is an Assured Shorthold Tenancy. However, it also means that you are committed to paying rent for the entire period. Therefore, if you decide to move out of a property before the fixed term ends you will still be liable to pay the full term of the contract.
The fixed term is valid as long as you and your landlord keep to the terms and conditions of the contract. If you are concerned that a breach of contract has concerned you can make an appointment with the Edge Hill Univesity Law Clinic. For more information visit edgehill.ac.uk/law/clinic/enquiry. You could also visit Shelter: www.shelter.org.uk or the Citizens Advice Bureau: www.citizensadvice.org.uk.
Licence Agreements A licence agreement gives you the right to live in a house but does not give you exclusive possession. The licence agreement merely gives you permission to stay in the premises and leaves the general control of the household with the landlord.
Permission to stay in the property can be taken away at any given time and consequently the landlord can effectively evict you without having to acquire a possession order through the courts. However, if you have signed a fixed term licence agreement, the landlord cannot evict you until the stated period has expired.
A landlord must have the premises as their main residence before they can legally ask you to sign a licence agreement. Any student or group of students who have sole and exclusive occupation of premises will be tenants not licensees. If the landlord tries to provide you with a licence agreement in such circumstances, it will not be valid.
Sometimes licence agreements are used when landlords are trying to reduce your legal rights as a tenant so please be vigilant.
Remember, if you are unsure about any aspect of your contract, don’t sign it before first having it checked.
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Off Campus Accommodation
Joint and Several Contracts If you and your fellow house hunters all sign the same contract it becomes joint and several. This means that all tenants are liable for the full rent of the property. Therefore, if one of the tenants withdraws from Edge Hill and leaves the property, the rest of the tenants are liable for the full rent of the property until a replacement is found.
Deposits Most landlords ask future tenants for a deposit. This is to safeguard against any damage caused to the property or against any unpaid rent or bills. However, money cannot be deducted for reasonable wear and tear.
Remember to retain a copy of your signed inventory. It may prove very useful in the event that you and your landlord disagree on whether damage was caused by you or was already present when you moved in. Tenancy Deposit Schemes Tenancy deposit protection (TDP) schemes guarantee that tenants will get their deposits back at the end of the tenancy, if they meet the terms of the tenancy agreement and do not damage the property. Landlords must protect their tenants' deposits using a TDP scheme if they have let the property on an assured shorthold tenancy which started on or after 6 April 2007.
If these conditions do not apply - for example, if the landlord lives in the property with the tenants – the landlord does not have to protect tenants' deposits. However, it is still good practice to do so.
Landlords or agents must use one of the three approved TDP schemes to protect tenants' deposits where these conditions apply. If any other scheme is used, deposits are not protected in law. The three approved schemes are: -
Deposit Protection Service (DPS): www.depositprotection.com MyDeposits: www.mydeposits.co.uk Tenancy Deposit Scheme: www.tenancydepositscheme.com
Failure of a landlord to protect your deposit can result in them being taken to court and made to repay your deposit plus between one and three times the amount of your deposit.
Within thirty days of paying your deposit, your landlord must provide you with this information: -
The contact details of the tenancy deposit scheme The contact details of the landlord or agent The address of the rented property and the amount of deposit paid Name and contact details of any third party that has paid the deposit Items or services covered by the deposit The circumstances under which the landlord will be able to retain some or all of the deposit What to do if there is a dispute over how much deposit should be returned
Your deposit should be paid back within ten days of the end of your tenancy.
For more information visit www.gov.uk/tenancy-deposit-protection/overview.
Guarantors As part of their contract, most landlords will ask for a guarantor. A guarantor is someone who agrees to vouch for a tenant’s ability to pay rent, as well as any damage that the tenant may cause. Should the tenant default on rent payments and/or fail to pay for any damage caused to the landlord’s property, the landlord may proceed against the guarantor for payment to be made.
Summer Retainers Your landlord may ask for a summer retainer to reserve your room for you over the summer. It does not mean you can occupy the property unless otherwise agreed by your landlord. As a rule, retainers are not returnable and do not constitute payment of rent.
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Off Campus Accommodation
If you break the terms of the tenancy agreement you and the landlord should agree on how much should be deducted from the deposit. If you are unhappy with the amount the landlord wants to deduct from the deposit or the landlord/agent refuses to engage in the deposit return process, you are entitled to raise the issue with the relevant tenancy deposit scheme.
Dealing with Landlords It is important to make an effort to develop a cordial relationship with your landlord from the moment you sign your contract.
If you feel that you are not receiving a fair service from your landlord you can call in to the Accommodation Office for advice. Alternatively, you can contact the Students’ Union Advice Centre or visit the Shelter or Citizens Advice Bureau websites.
By registering their property with Edge Hill University, landlords agree to abide by the terms of the Landlord Code of Practice.
Illegal Evictions As a tenant you have security of tenure, whereby you can’t be evicted without the correct notice. If you have an Assured Shorthold tenancy you can only be evicted with a court order.
Without this documentation, a landlord cannot legally evict you, even if you owe rent or have breached your tenancy agreement.
Harassment Harassment is classed as something done by your landlord that interferes with your occupation. Examples of harassment are: -
Refusing or restricting your access to parts of your accommodation Stopping you from having a guest Frequent visits from your landlord without prior notification Offering you money or threatening you Entering the property whilst nobody is there Neglecting the property so that it is in such a bad state of repair as to be dangerous or unfit for human habitation Forcing tenants to sign agreements which reduce their rights
If you feel that you are a victim of harassment you should inform the Accommodation Office as soon as possible.
However, please remember that whilst your landlord is responsible for general maintenance of the house, it is up to you to report any issues if and when they do arise. It is also your responsibility to ensure that the house is left in an acceptable state at the end of the contract.
We recommend that from the outset, landlords and tenants are aware of their responsibilities in relation to repairs and maintenance to the property.
When reporting faults, it is a good idea to confirm any requests to your landlord via a polite email. Make sure that you clearly state the issue and ask that it is resolved within a reasonable time frame. If the issue is not resolved within the specified time frame it is advisable that you send a formal, signed letter. You can also visit the Accommodation Office for further advice. It is a good idea to keep a copy of all emails, letters or other correspondence so that, if required, you can provide evidence that you have raised issues to your landlord.
Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, landlords are legally bound to keep the structure and exterior of the house in repair and in proper working order. This includes: -
Installation of water, gas and electricity supplies Repairs to the roof, floor, walls and windows Upkeep of the gutters, pipes and drains Repairs of plumbing and sanitary convenience, i.e. baths, showers, toilets, sinks Repair of electrical wiring, gas plumbing, fixed heaters, central heating and water heaters Repair of window frames, internal doors and glass frames Repairs to the bath, basins, boiler and pipework
In addition, landlords are expected to keep their property up to a standard fit for human habitation. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, local authorities have the legal power to take court action against any landlord who provides poor living conditions.
Off Campus Accommodation
Regardless of what your contract states, landlords must carry out specific repair duties as defined by law. Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, the Housing Act 1996 and the Environmental Protection Act 1990 the landlord must keep the structure and exterior of the property in good repair and maintain all installations in good working order.
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Repairs and Maintenance
As stipulated in The Housing Act 1996, local councils have the authority to take action against any properties that are a statutory nuisance. For a property to be defined as a statutory nuisance there should be a number of faults or be in such a condition that the comfort of the tenants is affected. Examples of faults that cause statutory nuisance are as follows:
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Major structural problems e.g. subsidence and dilapidated brickwork Dry rot Burst pipes Falling plaster Damp, mould growth or condensation Leaking roof Faulty windows Faulty or dangerous wiring Infestations (mice, rats, lice, etc.)
If a landlord refuses to carry out essential work in the property in which you live you can seek help from the Environmental Health section of the relevant local authority.
An Environmental Officer will visit the property and make a judgment on whether it is fit for human habitation and whether any repairs need to be carried out. The landlord is then legally required to implement the recommendations.
If a landlord fails to respond to this notice, the local council can arrange for external contractors to complete the repair and transfer the costs to the owner. The landlord can appeal against the decision but non-compliance to the notice could lead to prosecution.
A landlord who lets a property equipped with gas appliances has three main responsibilities:
Maintenance: pipework, appliances and flues must be maintained in a safe condition. Gas appliances should be serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If these are not available it is recommended that they are serviced annually unless advised otherwise by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Gas safety checks: a twelve monthly gas safety check must be carried out on every gas appliance/flue. A gas safety check will make sure gas fittings and appliances are safe to use.
Record: a record of the annual gas safety check must be provided to the tenant within 28 days of the check being completed or to new tenants before they move in. Landlords must keep copies of the gas safety record for two years. The Accommodation Team will only advertise a property on the Edge Hill Accommodation List if the landlord has provided a Gas Safe Register gas safety certificate.
If you find your student accommodation from sources other than the Edge Hill Accommodation List, it is vital you check that the gas appliances have been examined within the last twelve months by a Gas Safe Registered gas fitter. It is important that you insist that the landlord provides written confirmation that the gas appliances have been serviced.
Always remember that you need to protect yourself against the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.
If you smell gas or think there is a gas leak, turn off the gas at the meter, extinguish naked flames, open windows, leave the area and call the Gas Emergency Freephone number 0800 111 999 immediately.
For more information about gas safety contact www.gassaferegister.co.uk or ring 0800 408 5500
Electrical Safety Landlords must ensure that all electrical wiring in a rented property is tested by a NICEC contractor every five years. You can ask your landlord to see the electrical safety certificate.
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Off Campus Accommodation
Gas Safety The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 deal with landlords’ duties to make sure gas appliances, fittings and flues provided for tenants are safe. As of 1 April 2009 this must be done by a Gas Safe Register registered installer.
Rents and Bills Make sure that you are clear as to how much your weekly rent is and if a deposit is payable. Your contract should state the total amount due over the course of the fixed term and how much is payable on which dates.
Landlords usually ask for rent to be paid in three instalments in September, January or April to coincide with student loan payments. However, most are flexible in altering the dates to suit your financial situation. Always retain proof of payments.
It is important to carefully budget and plan your finances throughout the year so that you can be certain of covering your rent payments. You can access advice and support by contacting the Edge Hill Money Advice Team on 01695 657 250 or email moneyadvice @edgehill.ac.uk. Visit the team’s webpages at edgehill.ac.uk/moneyadvice for lots more information and advice
If bills are not included in your rent, contact the appropriate utility company and inform them that the tenancy has changed hands. Make sure you provide them with the meter readings and the date you moved in.
A list of utility companes as well as price comparisons can be found at uswitch.com/utilities-companies.
Council Tax Properties occupied only by full-time students studying for at least 21 hours a week are completely exempt from paying council tax. You will need to send your Edge Hill council tax exemption certificate, which proves your student status, to the landlord. A property occupied by one part-time or non-student is liable for 75% of the tax. If you are living with more than one such student, the property is liable for the full tax. It is your responsibility to provide the evidence of your status to your local authority. It is important to update your term time address at Edge Hill. This can be done via the Go Portal by clicking on the Student Central tab.
Housing Benefit Most students in full-time education are not eligible for Housing Benefit during their course of studies. However, if you fall into one of the following categories you may be eligible for Housing Benefit and should contact your local authority for further advice: -
Part-time students Lone Parents Lone foster parents with a child formally placed with him/her Individuals in receipt of Income Support Couples who are full-time students with dependent children Students with disabilities
Off Campus Accommodation
Moving In When you have moved in, make yourself familiar with the house. Find out where and how you can turn off the water, gas and electricity in case of emergency and check all of the meters and take a reading.
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Useful Information
TV Licences The law has changed which means you now need a TV Licence if you watch or download any programmes on BBC iPlayer – whether live, catch up or on demand. In addition to this, you will still need a licence if you watch or record live TV on any channel and on any device.
The TV Licensing website has a frequently asked question section for students and can be found here: tvlicensing.co.uk/studentinfo. Insurance It is always a good idea to insure your personal possessions. Check your parents’ existing insurance policies first in case your belongings are covered whilst at university. If not, be sure to shop around the various insurance companies so that you get the best deal.
Money If everyone in your house has similar taste in food then it might be worth setting up a communal shopping budget. In a lot of cases though, this could prove problematic so it might be easier to agree to split the cost of shared household products, e.g. washing up liquid, bleach, kitchen cloths.
Cleaning It is a good idea to set up a weekly cleaning rota for communal spaces (e.g. kitchen, living room, bathroom) as, this way, everyone will do their fair share and the chores won’t be left to one person. It is also just good manners to clean up after yourself - your housemates will certainly appreciate not having to pick up your dirty dishes.
Getting Along It’s not difficult to get along in shared housing, as long you have respect for the people you’re living with and vice versa. Make an effort to leave shared spaces tidy and try not to be too anti-social, e.g. listening to your music really loudly, or eating someone else’s food.
Off Campus Accommodation
Soon after you move in to your new property it is worth spending some time together as a group to lay down some ground rules for living together. You are all sharing the same space so it makes things easier in the long run if everyone is clear about expectations and responsibilities.
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Living Together
Staying Safe Ormskirk is a safe place to live with a low level of crime. Nevertheless, it is vital that you remain vigilant at all times and remember these tips:
Staying Safe At Home -
Check that the property has decent door and windows and that the locks work. If this isn’t the case, raise the issue immediately to your landlord Lock up when you leave the house – don’t leave it to someone else Don’t leave your possessions on show through windows Be careful who you invite into the property Be especially alert when there are visitors in the house Keep valuable possessions locked up and out of sight
Staying Safe When Out -
Try to go out as a group and don’t become separated Use taxis and public transport to get around wherever possible Don’t walk up dark alleys or poorly lit pathways Keep your cash, mobile cards etc. close to your person Control your alcohol consumption – you are far more likely to be a victim of crime when you are drunk
Fire Safety In order to remain registered with Edge Hill, landlords must fit their properties with smoke alarms (mains wired or wireles)s. All properties must also have a clear escape route or means of escape directly from bedrooms via an escape window or door. If you notice that any of these are either not present or not working, please contact the Accommodation Team immediately. Keep these useful tips in mind at all times in order to greatly reduce the risk of fire:
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Before going to bed, close all doors to prevent the spread of fire All final exit doors should be easy to open without the use of a key Plan an escape route, making sure that there is nothing blocking the way Don’t leave pans unattended NEVER use water to extinguish a chip pan fire. Doing this will create a dangerous fireball Take care when smoking in the house, especially if you have consumed alcohol Don’t smoke in bed and make sure your cigarette is fully extinguished before going to sleep Keep candles away from flammable surfaces or textiles such as curtains, TV sets, or bath tubs and never leave them unattended Don’t overload plug sockets and remember to switch off electrical equipment when not in use Secure portable heaters against a wall so they don’t fall over, keep them away from curtains and furnishings and never dry clothes on them
Living in a town is a completely different experience to living on campus. As well as many students, you will be part of a wider community made up of a whole host of different people and how you integrate yourself into the community will play a big part in shaping your experience of off campus living.
In these instances, we also contact the landlord and expect that the landlord also speaks to the students separately to further reinforce the message.
Council Powers Relating to Excessive Noise In cases where complaints relating to a particular property persist, West Lancashire Borough Council may become involved. The steps that are taken are outlined below. Usually, the process does not need to be followed beyond the second step, but in rare cases can be seen through to its conclusion: •
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Noise logs/diary of events sent by resident to the council prompts a warning letter from the council to the student property If noise continues the council requests that the resident sends another log/diary of events, which means a second warning letter is sent to the student property If noise still persists the council installs noise recording equipment in the property and/or visits the property If the council receives evidence of nuisance via these methods they can serve a Noise Abatement Notice If noise still persists the Noise Abatement Notice can be prosecuted in court and noise making equipment (e.g. stereos) seized from the property If none of the above steps are effective then a closure order can be served (the police can also issue this) via a magistrate.
Parking Parking in Ormskirk can be difficult so it is advisable to check with the landlord whether there is an allocated parking space for the property and with the council to see if you are eligible for a parking permit. For more information visit lancashire.gov.uk/roads-parkingand-travel
Refuse Collection and Recycling It is your responsibility to ensure that your rubbish is disposed of correctly. Not doing so will annoy your neighbours and may lead to a fixed penalty fine from the local authority.
West Lancs council recycles paper, card, glass, cans and plastic bottles, garden waste and textiles and provides each household with bins, bags and boxes. Make sure you put the correct material into the correct receptacle and try to get into the recycling habit. For information on collection arrangements and recycling in Ormskirk, visit West Lancs council website at www.westlancs.gov.uk/refuse-recycling.aspx.
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Excessive Noise If a local resident contacts us to report an issue connected with noise or antisocial behaviour at a student property, our standard procedure is to invite all students at that property in for a meeting, whereby we will make clear what our expectations are of you and enforce the Student Code of Behaviour.
Off Campus Accommodation
Try to get to know your neighbours. Introduce yourself and let them know a little about you in order to put their minds at rest.
Useful Contacts Students’ Union
Telephone: 01695 657 301 Email: su@edgehill.ac.uk Website: www.edgehillsu.org.uk Lancashire Fire Service
Telephone: 01695 572 223 Website: www.lancsfirerescue.org.uk Ormskirk Police Station
Telephone: 01695 566 430 Website: www.lancashire.police.uk Police (to contact the police 24/7)
Telephone: 101
West Lancs Council
Telephone: 01695 585 247 Email: customerservices@westlancs.gov.uk National Gas Emergency Service Telephone: 0800 111 999
NHS
Telephone: 111
Shelter
Telephone: 0808 800 4444 Website: www.shelter.org.uk Citizens Advice
Telephone: 03444 111 444 Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Off Campus Accommodation
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Notes
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Edge Hill University St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 4QP United Kingdom