subu
Advice
A guide about the issues of renting too early so you can make an informed decision as to whether you are ready to rent
WWW.SUBU.ORG.UK/ADVICE
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SUBU will have a positive impact on every BU student’s journey.
Top 5 truths & myths about renting a house
Have you been asked if you would like to rent a property for next year? Have your housemates or friends asked you if you want to view some houses as ‘all the best ones go before Christmas’? Do you feel like you are ready to make this commitment? To help you make a decision we have put some useful information together, along with some truths and myths about renting.
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www.subu.org.uk/advice
Lots more info online
Check out ice
rg.uk/adv www.subu.o
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GUIDE CONTENTS TOP 5 MYTHS ABOUT RENTING....... THE COST OF RENTING...................... SUBU ADVICE: HELPING YOU........... SUBU COMMUNITY WARDENS......... USEFUL ONLINE LINKS....................... KEY EVENTS LISTING..........................
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All the best houses go by Christmas
Not all the best houses go by Christmas and in fact you can find an amazing property later in the academic year. Most student houses are joint and several Assured Shorthold Tenancies, meaning that when you agree to rent the property as a group you are actually signing to say that if someone doesn’t pay, you will do so.
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I can get out of my housing contract at any time
This means that if someone pulls out of the contract you could find yourself liable to pay their rent. Landlords could go to the other student’s guarantor but they are not legally obliged to and they are far more likely to charge you the extra rent.
It’s typical to rent a private house 11 months before you move in
In the private rental sector tenants typically sign contracts, pay admin fees and deposits one month prior to moving in. The student rental sector differs as students fear that all the best houses will be gone before Christmas and they wish to secure their accommodation early as a result.
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I will remain friends with those who I plan to move in with
If the whole student body waited until Easter to search for their next house then students would be less likely to encounter problems such as, housemates walking away from contracts, having to find replacement tenants, houses being sold by the landlord after deposits have been paid, houses being renovated and not finished in time for Sept but students moving in to the property anyway.
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If anyone drops out of uni or pulls out the housing contract I won’t have to pay their rent
Unfortunately you may not remain friends with people who you have signed a contract with. This is especially true for first year students. Are you willing to sign legally binding contract with someone you have known for two months? Do you trust them not to pull out the contract or are they thinking of leaving uni? A peak period for student’s withdrawing is after Christmas. Waiting until after Christmas could reduce the risks involved and potentially save yourself a lot of hassle and money.
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@sububournemouth #wearestudents
SUBU will have a positive impact on every BU student’s journey.
The cost of renting Letting agent fees are due to be banned in 2018, however until then the average fees are: • Holding fees and admin fee: Average of £225 each • Security deposit: £360-£490 (usually equivalent 1 months rent, or 1.5 months rent) The security deposit may not need to be paid until later in the academic year. However the holding fee and admin fee will need to be paid when you agree to rent the property. 4
www.subu.org.uk/advice
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You may also be charged a moving out fee so ensure you check for this as not all letting agents charge you for this. Do you have this money right now? Would you have more available money after Christmas? Contact SUBU Advice if you are worried about your finances.
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Take your time, view at least three houses and rent when you feel ready
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Don’t feel pressured by your peers or the letting agents
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Start your house search when you know that you’re definitely staying at BU for another year
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Make sure you understand the contract before handing over any money or signing the contract. SUBU Advice can help you with this Don’t believe that all the good houses go before Christmas, this is a selling technique.
SUBU Advice: helping You with housing Our Advice workers are trained in housing law to ensure we provide accurate Advice on a variety of housing issues. Including: Tenant disputes Damp and mold Utility bills
There’s no such thing as a silly question and SUBU Advice provide a nonjudgemental, friendly and confidential service to BU students. SUBU Advice can also help you with:
Deposit guarantors
Money
Where to look for accommodation
Employment
Contract checking Ensure you know your rights and responsibilities in your accommodation Negotiating with landlords on your behalf, where appropriate
Academic issues Personal
FIND OUT MORE:
/advice
u.org.uk
www.sub
Consumer
01202 965779 subuadvice@bournemouth.ac.uk
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@sububournemouth #wearestudents
SUBU will have a positive impact on every BU student’s journey.
SUBU Community Wardens The Community Warden Scheme is a scheme run by SUBU, BU, AUB and supported by Bournemouth Borough Council. The Wardens are a team of students who are paid to work each week, patrolling the main student roads in Winton, Wallisdown and Charminster. They are there to support both students and permanent local residents, and to help everybody integrate together as one in the local community.
You can email the Community Wardens on communitywardens@bournemouth.ac.uk* Or you can follow them on twitter here to stay up to date. @sububournemouth
USEFUL online LINKS We’ve scoured the internet and found that there’s some excellent relevant info all about student housing on the following websites and we recommend you bookmark the pages. Once you’ve finished here there are yet more useful links if you visit the SUBU Advice webpages.
*Please note that this email address should not be used to formally report incidents of noise or anti-social behaviour; such reports should be made via the Bournemouth Borough Council form.
www.subu.org.uk/advice www.subu.org.uk/communitywardens readytorent.nus.org.uk england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice
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www.subu.org.uk/advice
www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk www.stepchange.org
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Key Events Listing Am i ready to rent? week Mon 13th Nov Housing Advice drop-in BG07 10am-2pm ResLife Roadshow 5-7pm Student Village: Stay Safe – Wellbeing and renting
tue 14th Nov Housing Advice drop-in 2-4pm in SC202 ResLife Roadshow 5-7pm Corfe House: Stay Safe – Wellbeing and renting
wed15th Nov Guide Dogs – take the stress out of renting and come tickle a dog Advice Crew hosting Housing Myths and Truths: 2-4pm on the ground floor of the SC ResLife Roadshow 5-7.30 pm Chesil and Cranborne: Stay Safe – Wellbeing and renting
thurs16 Nov th
Housing Advice drop-in 10am-2pm in BG07 Advice Crew hosting Housing Myths and Truths: 2-4pm in Atrium
Fri17th Nov ResLife Roadshow 4-6.30pm Homepark and Purbeck: Stay Safe – Wellbeing and renting
Thurs 15th Feb, 2018 On Thursday 15th February 2018 SUBU will be hosting the Housing Fair in the Student Centre. Come along and find out more about health and safety, looking for a property, maintaining positive relationships with your landlords, learn more about the Community Wardens and property search with Lettings BU.