Advice - Private Accomodation

Advice Private Accommodation This information is accurate as of April 2016

1

Moving into private accommodation.

This information is for all students moving into shared houses

Different ways of renting privately The main types of accommodation that students rent privately include: • Flat-shares - rooms in a shared student house/flat You will have your own bedroom sharing the living room, kitchen and bathroom (occasionally en-suite bedrooms are available). For this type of accommodation you can choose whether you wish to share with undergraduate or postgraduate students.

You are most likely to have an assured shorthold tenancy.

• Resident owners - a room in the same property as the landlord The normal arrangement is for you to have your own bedroom sharing the kitchen and bathroom and sometimes the living room with the owner. Your landlord might own the property, or they may be a tenant themselves and rent a room to you.

You would be what’s commonly known as a lodger.

Typical tenancy arrangements Tenancy arrangements in shared accommodation can vary. The most typical scenarios include: • Joint tenancy: One tenancy agreement which each student in the property signs. You all share the property and its facilities and don’t have exclusive possession of any part, even though in practice you may agree to occupy a particular bedroom and pay individual contributions towards the rent.

• Sole tenancy:

- Each student in the property has their own tenancy agreement because they each have exclusive possession of one specific room while sharing other facilities such as the kitchen. In this case, each student has a sole tenancy.

- One student in the property signs the tenancy agreement and has a sole tenancy. They then sub-let rooms separately to other students either as lodgers or sub-tenants.

Your rights and responsibilities will vary depending on whether you have a joint or sole tenancy or whether you have a tenant as your resident landlord.

http://www.goldsmithssu.org/advice

This information is accurate as of April 2016

2 How do I pick my future housemates Picking who you will be living with will be the most important decision you will make both from a personal and financial position, and you’ll need to ask yourself the following questions about the people you want to share with: • Do you mind living with mixed gender households?

• How many people do you want to share with?

• You get on well with your friends, but what are they like to live with?

Do you have similar lifestyles and compatible social lives? (NB: good intentions do not pay bills!)

• How do you and your potential housemates manage money?

• Are you prepared to be involved with the household chores such as the shopping, cooking, cleaning, washing up?

Consider how you live and how the others like to live. You don’t need to be the best of friends, but it’s important to have a chat about lifestyles. Do they like to party often? Do they study a lot? Do they have a similar philosophy to you?

Discuss your expectations before you consider setting up house with them. If you can’t communicate now, you will have problems later. All this will impact on the atmosphere in your flat, and influence the kind of environment you want to live in.

Sharing Accommodation It’s not uncommon to experience friction or difficulties living in shared student accommodation. Most common issues that may occur including noise, antisocial behaviour, cleaning, household bills, fall outs and personality clashes.

If you are a good communicator, and are willing to listen, you have the chance that it will be a happier house for all concerned. Draw up a cleaning rota, or an agreement which includes everyone. Putting things in writing might help avoid misunderstandings.

On the following link you can find a list of basic precautions to take when you are in a new environment with new people: http://www.suzylamplugh.org/personal-safety-tips/free-personal-safety-tips/ student-safety/

http://www.goldsmithssu.org/advice

This information is accurate as of April 2016

3 Where do I look for properties to rent?

Goldsmiths SU – Housing Group OFFICIAL on Facebook This Facebook group is designed to help facilitate the finding of housing for Goldsmiths students.

University of London Housing Services (ULHS) database http://www.housing.london.ac.uk/ Spareroom This is a popular website, however you should be aware that some offers of accommodation will not be genuine. Scammers will often target students, particularly those who are new to London, asking for deposits on properties that do not exist. https://www.spareroom.co.uk/london https://www.spareroom.co.uk/content/info-tenants/safety-tips-forroom-seekers/ Other options include: • Adverts around campus noticeboards and shop windows • Local newsagents • Websites of agencies specialising in student accommodation (note that it is illegal for an agency to accept or demand money for simply providing a list of addresses, but it is legal for them to charge fees if they find you accommodation and you subsequently move in.

Check these details very carefully before using agencies) • Word of mouth • Estate agents.

Many letting agents will ask you to provide details of someone who can act as guarantor for you. The guarantor generally covers the rent in case you don’t pay it.

See separate leaflet on Guarantors

Agents can charge an administration fee. Fees can vary from one letting agent to another. Agents often ask for one month’s rent in advance in addition to the security deposit.

See separate leaflet on deposits

http://www.goldsmithssu.org/advice

This information is accurate as of April 2016

4 Before moving in...

Before moving in check that the property is in good working order. For example, make sure that the toilets flush, the kitchen equipment and sockets work. A good tip is to photograph the ‘move-in’ condition of the flat, e.g..

If there are holes in the walls from previous tenants. Collecting proof at the beginning of the lease that the damage was historical, you shouldn’t be liable of any reduction for it in your deposit.

The landlord may do an inventory of the property when you move in. Read through it carefully before signing to ensure you are happy with it. It can also be helpful to produce your own inventory if the landlord doesn’t do it.

If the flat is furnished, make sure you get a copy of the inventory.

If you need to furnish your flat, keep a look out for second-hand furniture in the local papers, Gumtree or charity organisations in your area.

It is a general good advice to ask for receipts for any payments you make.

Paying Bills

Generally all household bills are separate to the rent, but some items may be inclusive, for example, water charges. The tenancy agreement should outline if the rent includes any other payments.

When sharing accommodation, if only your name is on the utility bill, you’re legally responsible for the whole of the bill until you end the contract.

If someone else who lives with you won’t pay their share, you’ll will be left making up the difference. Make sure that the utility bills are in all the flatmates names, so making everyone liable for the bill. Winter bills will be quite radically different to summer ones, so try and make an average costing for the year. Obviously the living habits of the tenants will impact on these bills.

Keep an eye on your usage – many utility companies issue quarterly bills based on estimates of your use. Supply them with actual meter readings and you should not be surprised with a huge final bill when you move out. Ask your landlord where the meters are kept if unsure. Bear in mind, if the flat comes with a prepayment meter, you will be paying more for your utilities.

More tips about how to keep the costs of bills are available on the NUS website: http://www.nus.org.uk/en/advice/housing-advice/cutthecosts-of-studentliving-go-green/?load=6&top=0

http://www.goldsmithssu.org/advice

This information is accurate as of April 2016

5 Do I have to pay Council Tax?

If you are in a registered HMO (House of Multiple Occupation) and you are all students, you should not have any council tax to pay. If you are the only student living with workers, you should not be eligible to pay and there will be a 25% reduction for your housemates. Make sure that the council have been notified of your status, and get in touch with Student Services if you need further evidence of your student status.

See separate leaflet on Council Tax.

Do I need Insurance?

The landlord is only responsible for insuring the fabric of the building.

Ultimately, insuring your belongings is your responsibility. It usually doesn’t cost too much on a monthly basis and there are insurance companies that specialise in providing this for students.

Any Extra Costs?

Strictly speaking, costs such as upkeep of the garden area or maintenance of the building should be met by your landlord. However it is best to check it out to be certain nothing unexpected comes your way.

Where can I find further information on private rented for students?

Citizen’s Advice Bureau https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/renting-a-home/studenthousing/students-in-private-rented-accommodation/ University of London Housing Service http://housing.london.ac.uk/housing-advice/legal-advice To book an appointment with University of London Housing Service, you can drop them an e-mail at housing@lon.ac.uk, or give them a call on +44 (0)20 7862 8880.

Contact Us

Visit us on the Goldsmiths Students’ Union website and click on Advice or contact us via e-mail: advice@goldsmithssu.org. http://www.goldsmithssu.org/advice

This information is accurate as of April 2016