Finding Accommodation Information within this document is for information only. The Advice Service cannot comment on and are unable to make any guarantees regarding the suitability and quality of any accommodation or accommodation provider listed in this document, including accommodation supplied by individual accommodation providers, such as private halls, landlords or Letting Agents. Inclusion on this list should not be taken as a recommendation by RUSU or the Advice Service. Please consider your options carefully and only enter into an agreement or sign any contract when you are happy to do so. If you are already in accommodation and are looking to end an existing tenancy early, please see our Information Sheet “Leaving your accommodation early” for further information which is not covered here, as it is likely that you will have responsibilities as a result of your current agreement.
Accommodation Options University Accommodation The University has Halls of Residence are on campus. Information on the Halls of Residence can be found at www.reading.ac.uk/life/life-accommodation.aspx. There are separate sections for prospective and returning students, as well as for staff and visitors. Some things to consider when renting University Accommodation: • Students living in University Halls of Residence sign an agreement which gives you rights as an occupier with basic protection. As an occupier with basic protection you are unlikely to be able to remain in the accommodation longer than your initial term. • Some Halls of Residence packages are catered. With a catered package, you are provided with food in addition to accommodation. The term of this agreement is usually 31 weeks, rather than for the whole period (either 40 or 51 weeks). • Halls of Residence are paid for in termly instalments. • Halls of Residence agreements usually last for an academic year: this means that you will sign an agreement to say that you will remain in the accommodation for a set period of time. It is unlikely that you will be able to leave within this period: if you do, you may still be liable to pay rent. There is information on the University website (see above) which outlines the circumstances where you can leave early, and see also the Information Sheet “Leaving your accommodation early”. • There is some accommodation which can accommodate families, however, the amount available is limited, and can they can only accommodate a maximum of two children under the age of twelve. Further information can be found on the University website: www.reading.ac.uk/life-family • There is less availability for returning students. This means that if you are progressing onto the second, third or subsequent year of your course, you may not be allocated a place in Halls.
Private Halls of Residence There are a number of Halls of Residence within Reading which are operated by private companies (rather than by the University).
Unite – Kendrick Hall and Crown House, both of which are located on London Road, which is a short walk or bus ride from the main University Campus. Information can be found at www.unite-students.com/reading Fawley Bridge – Operates two properties in Reading, Loddon House – which is just off the Wokingham Road, and the closer of the two to the main University Campus - and Kings Road, which is approximately half an hour walk. Information can be found on the Fawley Bridge website: www.fawleybridgestudents.com
Reading University Students’ Union PO Box 230, Whiteknights, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 6AZ 0118 378 4100 | advice@rusu.ac.uk | www.rusu.co.uk
Fresh Student Living – One property on Friar Street in the Centre of Reading, a bus ride away from the main University Campus. Information can be found on the Fresh Student Living website: www.freshstudentliving.co.uk/location/reading/central-studios-reading/ Collegiate – one new property, Saxon Court, off London Road. Information can be found on their website: www.collegiate-ac.com/uk-student-accommodation/reading/saxon-court-apartments
Inclusion on this list should not be taken as a recommendation by RUSU or the Advice Service. Some things to consider when renting Private Halls of Residence:
Private Halls of Residence tenants should be given a Tenancy Agreement which would usually – though not always – be an Assured Shorthold Tenancy. This means you are unlikely to be able to leave early without having to pay the rent for the duration of your agreement You may not be able to choose the people you will be living and sharing facilities with Extra costs: factor in any up-front or additional costs Some of the private halls in Reading are not close to the University so you will need to consider travel to and from campus.
Private Rented Accommodation Private rented accommodation is available throughout Reading. This involves renting a property either on your own or with other students or individuals, directly from a private Landlord or through a Letting Agency. This list is not an exhaustive list of Letting Agents in the local area and inclusion on this list should not be taken as a recommendation by RUSU or the Advice Service. Name
Website
Adams Estates
www.studentholmes.net
Telephone Number 0843 315 1643
Westgate
www.westgatestudents.co.uk
0118 9567722
Martin & Co
www.martinco.com/lettingsagents/reading
0118 453 0130
SPACE
www.space.uk.net
0118 453 0161
Atlantis
www.atlantisproperty.co.uk
0118 956 8888
The Flatman Partnership Reading Lettings
www.flatmans.com
0118 453 0154
www.readinglettings.com
0118 453 0236
Redress scheme / Accreditation scheme The Property Ombudsman / The National Approved Letting Scheme (NALS) The Property Ombudsman / The National Approved Letting Scheme (NALS) The Property Ombudsman / The National Approved Letting Scheme (NALS) Residential Landlords Associations The Property Ombudsman / Association of Residential Letting Agents The Property Ombudsman/ National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) The Property Ombudsman
Reading University Students’ Union PO Box 230, Whiteknights, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 6AZ 0118 378 4100 | advice@rusu.ac.uk | www.rusu.co.uk
Alternative places to look for Private Rented Accommodation include:
Accommodation search websites – for example, rightmove.com or zoopla.com e.t.c. – can help with searches across Letting Agents. Please be aware of online fraudulent activity. See our information sheet on “Scam Tenancies” for further information which can be downloaded from www.rusu.co.uk/housing Reading Chronicle is a local newspaper which advertises properties for rent. Free copies are available to view in the Public Library (on Kings Road in Reading Centre), or view online at www.readingchronicle.co.uk Get Reading local news website also advertises properties at www.getreading.co.uk Students often advertise spare rooms in private rented houses on the Facebook page ‘Reading University Student Union Find a Housemate’. This is often when a student wishes to move out or a house has a spare room. There is also a noticeboard in the students union where students can advertise for housemates.
Some things to consider when renting private accommodation:
The Enterprise & Regulatory Reform Act 2013 requires all Letting Agents to belong to one of the following redress schemes: o The Property Ombudsman o Ombudsman Services Property o The Property Redress Scheme As a general rule, more reputable Letting Agents also belong to accreditation schemes such as: o ARLA/NAEA o National Approved Lettings Scheme (NALS) o RICS The Advertising Standards Authority made it clear that all Letting Agents should clearly advertise compulsory fees from the outset, whilst the Accommodation Agencies Act 1953 forbids Letting Agent’s from charging fees until a property has been identified and accepted by the tenant. It is illegal for fees to be charged for supplying address lists; for fees to be taken for a tenant simply registering his/her name, interest or requirements with an Agent. Persistent, misleading or aggressive practices are considered to be unfair and regulated by the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. Further guidance on this can be found at www.parliament.uk/business/publications/research/briefingpapers/SN06000/the-regulation-of-private-sector-letting-and-managing-agents-england You should be provided with a Tenancy Agreement when you enter into an agreement to rent a private property, which outlines your responsibilities, as well as those of your Landlord. It is important that you carefully read the Tenancy Agreement, and highlight to the Letting Agent or Landlord if there is anything you are unclear on or are concerned about. See the Advice Service Information Sheet “Housing Contracts” for further information. If you are taking over a tenancy from another student ensure that a new tenancy is drawn up with your name on it or subletting is agreed by the landlord. If you are unsure seek advice from the Advice Service. You will have to pay a deposit for the property, and this deposit should be protected in a government registered scheme: see our information sheet on “Housing Deposits” for further information. Letting Agents charge fees, which can include Agency Fees, Administration Fees, Reference Fees and Holding Fees. If you are unclear what you are being charged, or unsure as to whether you should pay a fee, seek advice. It is likely that a Letting Agent will require you to obtain a Guarantor – someone who will sign for you to agree that they will pay the rent on the property if you don’t pay. This can be an issue if you are an international student, as you may not have a Guarantor within the UK: in these instances, it is likely that you will be asked to pay some rent in advance for the property. For further information see our “Guarantor Agreements” information sheet. RUSU Advice Service offers a Tenancy Agreement Checking Service, where an Adviser will look through your Tenancy Agreement and discuss terms or conditions and highlight any unfair terms or responsibilities that you may need to be aware of prior to signing the contract. You MUST bring your Tenancy Agreement to the session. Reading University Students’ Union PO Box 230, Whiteknights, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 6AZ 0118 378 4100 | advice@rusu.ac.uk | www.rusu.co.uk
Temporary Accommodation Temporary Accommodation is accommodation you should use on a temporary, short-term basis. • Cedars is the University owned hotel on campus. Information and bookings can be found on www.venuereading.com. Email: thecedars@reading.ac.uk Tel: 0118 378 8906. • There are also a number of Private Hotels and Bed & Breakfasts in Reading - first place to search is online.
Homestay There is no homestay service operated by the University of Reading or the Students’ Union. If you wanted to consider this option, you would need to look for an external suppler. A search on the internet can provide details of website which match host families with people looking for a homestay. Some things consider when looking at homestay: • The location of the homestay may not be as convenient, as it is likely that they will be offered all over Reading and the surrounding area: this means that as well as the cost of the homestay, you will also need to think about the cost of travel. • You are likely to be considered as an ‘excluded occupier’ or ‘lodger’ which give you less rights and protection from eviction than in other private renting situations.
RUSU Housing Advice RUSU Advice Service provide individual specialist housing advice to students in the following areas;
Housing Law Rights & Responsibilities of tenants and landlords Checking Housing Contracts Tenant/tenant or tenant/landlord disputes Paying rent and household bills
Disrepair and getting repairs done Damp, mould and other environmental health issues Paying deposits and getting your deposit back Eviction process and dealing with illegal eviction County Court Claims
You can drop in without an appointment during the following times; Term Time: 11.00am – 1.30pm Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri 14.00pm - 16.30pm Weds
Vacation: 11.00am – 1.30pm Mon & Thurs 14.00pm - 16.30pm Weds
Alternatively, contact us via email at advice@rusu.co.uk We are located in the Students’ Union building on Whiteknights Campus.
Reading University Students’ Union PO Box 230, Whiteknights, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 6AZ 0118 378 4100 | advice@rusu.ac.uk | www.rusu.co.uk