Reference
Advertising Terminology
130
Useful websites
133
Index
134
Credits
135
About the University of London Housing Services
136 129
Advertising Terminology Many property advertisements use a range of abbreviations and terms with which you may not be familiar. Frustratingly, the abbreviations are not always consistent. For example inc. and incl. are both abbreviations for inclusive, meaning that the bills are included in the rent. In order to show how these abbreviations and terms are used we have written two typical advertisements, together with a translation of what they mean. These two advertisements include the majority of terms and abbreviations that you will come across. First advertisement Brockley Lrg bedsit. Nr stn. N/s prof pref. Dep/refs reqd. W/m, m/w, & all mod cons. ÂŁ656 pcm Gch, Bills incl Brockley Most adverts begin by saying where the property is. Brockley is an area of South East London (SE4).). Lrg bedsit Large bedsit. A bedsit is a room with its own cooking facilities but where you would share the bathroom and toilet with other tenants.
Nr stn Near station.
N/s prof pref Non smoking professional (ie not a student) preferred. Dep/refs reqd Deposit and references required. 130
London Student Housing Guide
W/m, m/w
Washing machine, Microwave.
all mod cons
‘All modern conveniences’. There is no precise definition of what this means. It could just mean you have a fridge and cooker. Ask what they mean by this phrase when you call them.
£656 pcm
The rent is £656 per calendar month.
Gch
Gas central heating.
Bills incl
Utility Bills are included in the rent. Inclusive can also be abbreviated as ‘inc’ Second advertisement Finsbury Park Dble en-suite room with p/shwr on grd flr in quiet hse. Share kit. Veg pref. Newly refurb. F/f. £140 pw. Bills excl. Cls to all amenities. 20 mins to central London. No DSS
Dble
Double room. Please note that there is no agreed definition of a double room. Most of the time when landlords describe a room as a double, they are just indicating that a room is large rather than that it is for two people. Always check what they mean by this when you call.
en-suite rm
An en-suite room is a bedroom with its own bathroom or shower.
p/shwr
Power shower Reference
131
grd flr
Ground floor (ie street level)
quiet hse
Quiet house.
veg pref
Vegetarian preferred. The people you would be sharing with would prefer to share with another vegetarian.
Share kit
Share kitchen with others.
Newly refurb
Newly refurbished
F/f
Fully furnished. The vast majority of property in London is rented furnished.
ÂŁ140 pw. Bills excl
ÂŁ140 per week. Bills excluded (ie you will need to pay bills in addition to this rent)
Cls to all amenities
Close to shops, takeaways, restaurants
20 mins to 20 minutes travelling time to central London. central London
132
No DSS
London Student Housing Guide
The landlord will not accept Housing Benefit. This generally does not apply to students.
Useful websites Starting www.nationalcode.org.uk www.loot.com www.gumtree.com www.arla.com www.nalscheme.co.uk www.tpos.co.uk
www.zoopla.co.uk www.rightmove.co.uk www.equalityadvisoryservice.com www.ncil.org.uk www.ukcisa.org.uk
Planning http://commonplace.arts.ac.uk/where-i-live www.tfl.gov.uk www.energysavingtrust.org.uk www.oystercard.com www.spendometer.co.uk www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance
Looking www.landregistry.gov.uk www.mydeposits.co.uk
www.tds.gd.com www.depositprotection.com
Moving www.tvlicencing.co.uk www.endsleigh.co.uk
www.saxoninsurance.com www.cover4students.com
Resolving www.shelter.org.uk www.justice.gov.uk www.moneyclaim.gov.uk
www.citizensadvice.org.uk Agencies . . . . . . . . . 24, 100 Advice . . . . . . . . . . 126, 127 Reference
133
Index Discrimination Act ��������� 33
Local authorities ������61, 81
East London ������������� 44, 45
Loot ���������������������������������� 23
Alternative Dispute Resolution ������������������������ 98
Environmental Health Officers �������������������������� 126
Mice �������������������������������� 121
Studio Flats ���������������������� 19
Neighbours ���������������������� 83
Areas of London ����������������������� 36, 37
Energy Saving ������������������ 68
Noise ����������������������� 83, 126
Tenancy Deposit Scheme ��������������������� 95, 96
Families ���������������������������� 29
Assignments ��������� 122, 123
North London ������������40, 41
Gas Safety ������������������������ 82
Average Rent ����������� 38, 39
Guarantors ���������������������� 86
North West London ������������������������42, 43
Bedsits ����������������������������130
Halls of Residence ������������������14, 18
Bills �������������������� 63, 64, 109 Break Clauses ������������������ 90 Budgeting ������������������62, 63
Holding Deposits ����������������������92, 93
Notice boards ������������������ 23 Overseas Students ������������������� 30, 32 Postcodes ����������������� 38, 39
Building Regulations �������������������� 118
Host Families ������������������ 17
References ������������������������ 85
Hostels ������������������������������ 17
Repairs ������������������� 116, 118
Buying a Property ���������������������������� 27
Houses in Multiple Occupation ���������������������� 79
Resident Landlord ��������������������� 16, 89
Central London ���������52, 53
Housing Act 2008 ���������������������������������� 79
Safety ������������������ 58, 60, 82
Contracts ������������������� 84, 87 Council Tax ������ 62, 64, 109
Insurance ����������������� 60, 110
Court ��������������������� 119, 120
Inventory ���������������106, 107
Sharing ���������� 14, 15, 69, 70
Damage Deposit �������������������� 94, 119
Joint tenancy ������������������ 87
Smoke detector �������������� 78
Licensing of landlords ��������������������79, 81
South East London ����������������������� 46, 47
Disability
134
South West London ����������������������� 48, 49
Agencies �����������������24, 100 Advice ������������������� 126, 127
London Student Housing Guide
Schedule of Condition ���������������105, 106
Tenancy Relations Officers �������������������������� 126 Transport �������������55, 56, 57 TV licence ����������������������109 West London ������������50, 51
Credits Project Manager Aisling Traynor University of London Housing Services Contributions Roland Shanks University of London Housing Services, various Gemma Dormer University of London Housing Services, various Kate Logsdon University of London Housing Services, ‘Repairs’ “Is your property and landlord licensed?’ Edward Rees University of London Housing Services, “Tenancy Deposit Protection’ ‘Damage deposits’ James Sewell University of London Housing Services, ‘Letting Agents’ ‘Agency
Charges’ Emma Nabavian London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, ‘Housing for international students’ Steven Hawdon Kings College London ‘Budgeting and Council tax’ Barry Hayward Goldsmiths, University of London, ‘Housing for students with disabilities’ Helen Deakin Transport for London ‘Getting Around’
Thanks to University of London Union, Kings College London, Goldsmiths, University of London & University of the Arts London and Sam Nightingale (www. samnightingale.com)
for providing photographic material Additional Photographic material: Material: www. londonhostfamilies. com Richard Baker Haringey CouncilSean Wallis, Benedict Richards, Andy Wood, Richard Baker, Haringey Council, Nick Dolding, Visit East London-Tour East London, Camden Council, City of London, www.urban75.com, Lambeth Council, Ian Teh, Sam Nightingale, Dave Tett, Photogen, Fotolia, Simon Judd
Design Simon Judd SJ Creative studio@sj-creative.co.uk www.sj-creative.co.uk This is the 11th edition of the Guide and all those not mentioned here who assisted with the production of the first 10 editions, have also contributed to the success of this edition. If you would like to order copies of, or, advertise in the guide, please contact housing@lon.ac.uk
Reference
135
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