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
SUBU will have a positive impact on every BU student’s journey.
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
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GUIDE CONTENTS SUBU ADVICE: SUPPORTING YOU... TOP 5 RENTING MYTHS..................... THE COST OF RENTING...................... SUBU COMMUNITY WARDENS......... USEFUL LINKS....................................... KEY EVENTS LISTING..........................
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SUBU Advice: Supporting You 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 Deposit guarantors Where to look for accommodation
SUBU Advice provides free, independent, non-judgemental and confidential advice and information to all BU students. There’s no such thing as a silly question. SUBU Advice can also help with issues related to: Money
Personal
Contract checking
Employment
Consumer
Ensure you know your rights and responsibilities in your accommodation
Academic issues
Negotiating with landlords on your behalf, where appropriate
FIND OUT MORE:
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01202 965779 subuadvice@bournemouth.ac.uk
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SUBU will have a positive impact on every BU student’s journey.
Top 5 Renting myths 1
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.
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I can get out of my housing contract at any time
Once you’ve signed a contract you are legally bound to fulfil that contract for the period stated within the contract, unless there a break clause. This is called the ‘fixed term’. Some landlords will allow you to find a replacement, but this is at their discretion and can be costly. SUBU Advice can check your contract to see if a break clause is included and discuss your options if not.
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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 so they wish to secure their accommodation early as a result. The only way to change this and therefore reduce the risks with renting early, is for you to stand up to the agents and rent later, when you’re ready. 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.
I will remain friends with those who I plan to move in with
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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If anyone pulls out the housing contract I won’t have to pay their rent
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.
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The cost of renting
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The average fees are: • Holding fee: maximum one week’s rent per property. • Security deposit: Maximum of five weeks per property. The security deposit may not need to be paid until later in the academic year. However the holding fee will need to be paid when you agree to rent the property to take if off the market.
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Would you have more available money after Christmas? Contact SUBU Advice if you are worried about your finances. Check out the SUBU Advice private rent guide for information.
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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
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Don’t believe that all the best houses go before Christmas, this is a selling technique.
Do you have this money right now? www.subu.org.uk/advice
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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 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.
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www.subu.org.uk/advice
For information about the Community Wardens you can email communitywardens@bournemouth.ac.uk* Or you can follow them on twitter here to stay up to date. @sububournemouth *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.
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USEFUL 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.
Housing information and advice www.subu.org.uk/advice readytorent.nus.org.uk england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice
Money information and advice www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk www.stepchange.org www.nationaldebtline.org.uk www.moneysavingexpert.com
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Check out the SUBU website for details on upcoming Find a housemate events and other housing information: www.subu.org.uk
If you’re ready to rent check out our Private Renting Guide.
