Moving
Inventory and schedule of condition 105 Utility companies
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Introduction Having found where you are going to live you will, hopefully, be keen to move in. However, whilst you are doing so, you need to remain organised and take some basic precautions to ensure that your stay is as problem free as possible. This chapter also covers moving out. Most problems with private sector housing occur because of mistakes made at these two crucial times.
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Inventory and schedule of condition
Tenancy Deposit Protection has eliminated most protracted disputes about the return of deposits (see page 95).
However, in order to ensure the swiftest possible return of your deposit, it will still be essential to keep accurate and comprehensive records of the condition of the property both at the beginning and at the end of the agreement. The deposit is a large sum of money and you do not want to be charged for damage that you have not caused. Preparing an inventory (a list of contents) and schedule of condition (description of the overall condition i.e. cleanliness etc) should help to avoid this. This inventory and schedule of condition is used when looking at the condition of the property at the end of the letting agreement. Some deterioration is allowed (i.e. fair wear and tear) but if the walls are covered in blu tack stains at the end of the agreement, unless the schedule of condition shows that those stains were also there at the beginning, you could get charged for repainting. A blank inventory form can be downloaded from our website under the downloads section: www.studenthousing.lon.ac.uk
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Moving in inventory
If not provided, do your own inventory and schedule of condition on the day the tenancy starts, (you should also take dated photographs) ideally with the landlord/agent who should also sign and date the documents. You should both have a copy. If the landlord is not there, prepare one anyway and send it off to them with a polite letter asking them to confirm that they accept that it is a fair record of the contents and condition of the property (keep copies of both the letter and inventory and schedule of condition). Every item down to the last teaspoon should be ticked off on the inventory. If something does not work, note that as well and ask for the landlord to repair it. Note on the schedule general cleanliness and condition; marks on walls, carpets, mattresses, knife cuts on kitchen worktops etc. It is not enough to have a record of the contents and condition of the property at the beginning of the tenancy; you also need to have one at the end. Ideally you should clean the property up as much as possible two weeks before the end of the tenancy and then arrange a visit by the landlord/agent. This will give the landlord/agent the opportunity to discuss any matters that need attention.
Moving out inventory
For example, it may be that you have not noticed that the oven needs thorough cleaning or that there is some chipped paintwork 106
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on one of the doors. By arranging a visit two weeks before, you will have the opportunity to carry out any necessary cleaning or other small jobs without the landlord/agent employing professionals to do this work. On the last day of the tenancy, arrange for the landlord/agent to visit and inspect the property to go through the inventory and schedule of condition. Once you have agreed any differences between the moving in inventory and schedule of condition and the moving out one, get the landlord/agent to confirm in writing the agreed differences. The landlord/agent should sign and date the inventory. If the landlord/agent is not cooperative and does not visit the property either two weeks before the end of the tenancy or to carry out the inventory check out, you should make your own record of the condition of the property on the last day. Mainly you can do this by taking photographs. Try to have something in the photograph to indicate the date the photographs were taken (a good way of doing this is to hold up a newspaper headline in front of the camera for the first photo). Whether the landlord has returned the deposit or not, you should return the keys. If you do not return the keys the landlord/agent can argue that you have not given up possession of the property and you could, therefore, continue to be charged rent until the keys are returned. Moving
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Utility companies When you move into the property, you will need to arrange for the supply of water, electricity and gas to be transferred into your names unless these are included in your rent. This is a relatively straightforward process. For the gas and electricity, you will simply need to contact the current suppliers and provide meter readings. The water is not usually metered so it is just a case of contacting the supplier and transferring the account into your name. If you are unsure about how to do this, just ask the landlord or their agent. It may be possible to save money by transferring your account between different gas and electricity suppliers. However, before doing this, you will need to check that your contract allows you to do this. Many contracts explicitly prevent tenants from changing their suppliers or at least require the landlord’s permission to do so. When you move out, you will need to take final meter readings for the gas and electricity and provide these to the relevant companies in order to close the accounts.
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Council Tax
For the rules concerning who does and does not pay council tax, please refer to pages 64-65. If you are entitled to any exemptions, you will need to arrange your exemption certificate (stating that you are a full time student) from your college as soon as possible. You will then need to contact your local authority. If you don’t know what local authority you live in, you should ask your landlord/agent.
TV Licence If you have bought a TV licence for the year and return home for the summer don’t forget to contact TV Licensing for a refund. www.tvlicensing.co.uk
Getting caught without a TV licence means you could face prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000, so it’s a good idea to get one. A colour TV Licence costs £145.50; a black and white licence is £49.00. The following are the rules regarding payment. You will have to pay for a licence, if you are sharing a house with other students and use a TV in your room, and your room is a separately occupied place (a separate tenancy agreement would normally indicate that this is the case – see Individual Tenancies on page 86).
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If you have a separate tenancy agreement but a television is only being used in a communal area, then only one licence is required. If you are sharing a house with other students and you use a TV in your own room but the house can be treated as one place shared by all, then only one TV licence is required (a joint tenancy agreement would usually be evidence that the house is a single licensable place for this purpose – see Joint tenancies on pages 87-88). The easiest way to pay and get any clarification of these rules is to go through the TV licensing website: www.tvlicensing. co.uk
Insurance
Don’t economise by not taking out insurance. It is essential. However, before you buy your own insurance, check whether you might already be covered by your parent’s or guardian’s policy. There are many insurance companies that cater to students. Endsleigh insurance (www.endsleigh.co.uk) is probably the best known and long established but other companies include Saxon insurance (www.saxoninsurance.com) and Cover4students (www. cover4students.com) As with anything, the best advice is always to shop around.
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Top student tips... “Prearrange how you will pay the bills (i.e. whose name is going to be on what bill) and check all the meters (gas, electricity etc.) before you start using any of them.” “Decide in advance who is going to have which room.” “Decide in advance what other amenities the house will wish to share and divide rental of (i.e. Sky TV, Broadband).”
Moving checklist... Read the meters, gas, electric and possibly water and change the bills into your names. Compile an inventory and schedule of condition. Take dated photos of any existing damage. Check for evidence of any pest infestation and report this to the landlord in writing. Check that all appliances are in good working order and you have copies of all instruction manuals. Contact the Local Authority regarding Council Tax. Moving
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Moving checklist... Start a property file. Include in it your copy of the tenancy agreement, copy of gas safety certificate, important contact numbers such as landlord, utility companies, Local Council, Police and taxi service. Arrange to pay the TV Licence. Confirm your insurance arrangements. Make sure all copies of property keys work. Make sure standing order for rent payments is in place with your bank. Introduce yourself to the neighbours. Make sure you know where the stop clock is so you can turn off the water in an emergency. Test the smoke alarms are in proper working order and all batteries in place. Find and put the kettle on ...
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