WELFARE
Not everyone lives in Jesmond!! One of the most exciting parts of University life is renting your first student property. Where you’re going to live after first year is a big decision and it’s really important you don’t rush in without being clued-up on all the facts. Newcastle is over-stocked for student houses, there is not a shortage: there will always be plenty of property available so there is no need to rush into signing a contract. This booklet is packed with top tips and all the key information that you need to know before you take that plunge. Please take the time to read through this booklet, take it along with you when you’re viewing houses so you don’t forget anything and come along to our housing presentations on the below dates:
Monday 4th November 1-2pm: Live Q&A Session, History Room, L1 Students’ Union 5pm: Live Q&A: The History Room
Tuesday 5th November 10am-4pm: Housing Adviser drop-in: Student Advice Centre, L0 Students’ Union
Wednesday 6th November 11am-4pm: Housing Advice & Info: Venue, L-2 Students’ Union 5pm and 6pm: Housing Advice & Info: History Room, L1 Students’ Union
Thursday 7th November: Out and About – see www.nusu.co.uk/sac and www.facebook.com/nusustudentadvicecentre for more details.
Things to think about before you start house hunting... Housemates: Make sure you are certain about who you want to live with! Do you know them well enough? It’s a big step moving in with someone! For example, if you’re a clean freak – can you handle their mess? You also need to make sure you are all looking for the same things in a property, for example: would you like en suites? Does it need to have a large kitchen and will you need parking space? Agree on a price you can all afford and stick to it!
Do some research on the different areas you’re thinking of living in. There are plenty of areas apart from Jesmond that students live in such as Heaton, Byker, Fenham, Sandford, SheildFields, Spital Tongues and South Gosforth. Price ranges can differ hugely, so think about your budget. It’s about what’s important to you! Do you want to live near shops and bars or would you prefer to be in a more residential area? Do you want to be able to walk and if not do you know where the nearest metro line or bus route is? Student top tip! ‘Check the shower and don’t be embarrassed to flush the toilet when you’re viewing houses! You want to have good water pressure and some electric showers can literally just be a dribble of water.’ George, 3rd year Business Management
Checklist- before you start House Hunting: Do you know: Who you want to live with What type of property you want Where you want to live How much you are willing to pay
Things to think about when you’re looking around Houses… Agencies and Landlords: There are so many landlords and letting agencies in Newcastle that it’s hard to choose. A starting point is to make sure that the Agency is accredited to a professional body and that the Landlord is a member of the Landlords’ Association. This is not an exhaustive list but some of the main professional bodies include: •National Approved Lettings Scheme (NALS) •National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) •Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) •Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) •Local Authority Shared Housing Accreditation Scheme •The Property Ombudsman •National Landlords Association •Residential Landlords Association When you are looking around properties don’t let landlords or agents rush you. Take your time and look at rooms more than once. Ask whether you can take pictures. There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking to see a property more than once before you decide to sign a contract!
Student top tip: ‘If the current tenants of the house are around, use them – ask what their current landlord is like and what it’s like living there. You’re much more likely to get the honest truth from the current occupier, who has nothing to lose, than from a landlord or agent.’ Rosie, MA English Literature
Checklist of Questions for House Viewings Are they members of professional bodies? Does the landlord have a current gas safety certificate? Does the agency just sign you up or would you deal with them after as tenants? Are there agency fees? How much? Is there a deposit? How much? Is there signs of damage, damp or mould? What furniture is included with the property? Is the property double glazed? Is it gas and electric or just electric? Is the water metered? Ask how the property kept secure
Signing the contract: Looking around a house can be overwhelming, so make sure you ask the right questions! • There are hidden costs in houses e.g. paying for the water you use (being metered) is often more expensive than being on a fixed rate and an all-electric property is also more expensive to run. • Property that isn’t double glazed costs more to heat. • Consider the safety of the property – is there a burglar alarm? Is the front door just a Yale lock as these are not very secure and easy to kick in? • Check that there are smoke alarms in the main rooms and locks on windows. • If you see problems with the house like damage, mould or damp ask whether these are being addressed. Sometimes problems aren’t always visible. • Ask if you can speak to the current tenants – if not, are they trying to hide something? • If work needs to be done make sure it’s written into the contract as verbal promises are hard to enforce!
Firstly you need to make sure you are 100% happy with the property, so don’t feel pressurised by the agencies or your friends into signing a contract. Contracts can seem very lengthy and confusing but you must take the time to read it. You need to know what you are signing as you are agreeing to certain responsibilities. If unsure seek advice! ** The Student Advice Centre in the Students’ Union offers a free Housing Contract Review Service subject to an appointment and a copy of your contract being sent to the advisor 48 hours before the appointment. ** Most contracts for student properties will ask for a guarantor. This means you need someone, normally a parent or a close relative to agree to pay your rent if you don’t. If joint liability is included in your contract, it means you are responsible for making sure all the rent is paid – not just your share. This means that you or your guarantor could end up paying a housemate’s share of rent if they don’t pay it!
Student top tip: ‘Check the window sills and bathrooms for mould! Living in a house with mould is not only unhygienic, it’s just not very fun. For example, mould in cupboards can make your clothes smell musty and make stored suitcases mouldy too.’ Eve, 3rd year Linguistics
Moving day is exciting but you still need to make sure you don’t rush in over the threshold and start unpacking straight away! Make sure you receive an inventory and check that everything that is supposed to be there is there! Take digital pictures (that display the date they were taken) of the whole house. This is so you have proof of what condition the property was in when you arrived, as any disputes about returning deposits at the end of your contract will be based on the evidence you can provide. You also need to make sure that your landlord has protected your deposit in an official government approved scheme. They need to do this within 30 days of receiving your deposit and you should receive a letter confirming that the deposits have been put in.
Checklist for your contract: Get someone to check your contract (can be done for free at SAC) Is it Individual or joint liability? Have any agreements for improvement to the property been included in the contract? Tenancy deposit scheme? Inventory and photos?
Useful Contacts Student Advice centre Our free and confidential service has a trained housing advisor and offers a housing contract review service. Web: www.nusu.co.uk/sac E-mail: student-advice-centre@ncl.ac.uk Tel: 01912393979
Welfare and Equality officer Can signpost you to find the help you need, and also offers a confidential listening service if you would like to discuss any personal issues about housing issues or housemates. Emily Waller E-mail: welfare.union@ncl.ac.uk Tel: 01912393917
NUstudenthomes This is the private rented section of University accommodation. Web: www.ncl.ac.uk/accommodation/private Tel: 01912083333
Newcastle private Rented Service Offer free support and advice on the private rented sector. Contactable between 8.30 and 4.30 pm Monday-Friday and offering a drop in enquiry service 8.30- 12pm. E-mail: privaterentedservice@newcastle.gov.uk Web: www.privaterentedservice.co.uk/site/ Tel: 01912736103
Shelter North East Offers free specialist advice on your legal rights as a tenant. E-mail: Tyneside@shelter.org.uk Web: www.shelter.org.uk Tel: 0808 8004444
Directgov Has a wealth of information on the private rented sector including information on tenancy deposit protection schemes. Web: www.direct.gov.uk