Bradford Tabloid February 2016 by Unipol Student Homes

Housing

www.unipol.org.uk/nottingham

November 2014

F E B R UA R Y 2 0 1 6

The best advice around

THE HOUSE HUNTING GAMES May the odds be ever in your favour Use Unipol

www.unipol.org.uk/BradfordHH The Unipol Codes Your perfect property awaits See page 3

facebook.com/ unipolbradford

@Unipol_Bradford

House Hunting Tips

Where to live in Bradford

See page 13

See page 14

FEBRUARY 2016

NEWS

Note from the editor U

nipol is THE place to start your search for your new home. From Monday 8th February you will be able to see hundreds of accredited properties on Unipol’s website www.unipol.org.uk/bradford. In the meantime we have included in this addition some our favourite suppliers to showcase their properties to you. All are accredited and committed to offering students a great service. Here at Unipol we have your wish list covered. From all-inclusive properties of all sizes, to rooms in halls, to studio apartments, to single room lets and traditional shared houses. We have properties on the most

popular streets and areas across Bradford all on one website. You can easily compare properties, shortlist and book viewings without having to trawl around different letting agents. House hunting is fun but can be stressful and tiring too - it is not unusual to feel like this so remember to take your time. Often after seeing lots of properties they will all look the same, so regroup, decide your priorities, remember your budget and do a second viewing if you can’t decide. The great thing is that Bradford has a surplus of good accommodation and Unipol advertise properties throughout the year. Resisting the rush can make it all a calmer and more successful affair!

Jason’s hot tip: Don't forget to allow £12 a week for bills when you are looking at properties that don't include the bills.

Your Bradford Hub Team Left to right:

Robert, Dorothy and Elhannah

The Housing Hub - Here to Help T

he Housing Hub team holds a wealth of experience - Jay is a former student in Bradford and the rest of team are all current students like you. Help is at hand in all areas from how to choose the right property to checking contracts (at the Students' Union) and finding other people to live with. A friendly bunch who have your best interest at heart and will always try to help but if we can't will put you in touch with

NEW: You can now talk to us via WebChat - visit our website for more details and look out for the Livechat invitation on the right hand side if you'd like to connect. someone who can. Find us at: The Hub, Richmond Building, University of Bradford E: info@unipol.Bradford.ac.uk

T: 01274 235899 W: www.unipol.org.uk Open daily 11am - 4pm

Unipol Facts and Figures

Contents The Unipol Codes

Deposit Protection

House shares

Going House Hunting

Property searches made through the Unipol Bradford website in 2015: 15,536, with 40,723 advert views Landlords/agents covered by the

Ask the landlord Selection of the best accredited properties

Where to live in Bradford 14

Unipol Code 40 (and rising)

5 - 11

Advice from the Students' Unions 15

Bed spaces covered by the Unipol Codes: over 3,900

Average rent of a Unipol Code property: £42.57

Visitors to the site: 8,364

This tabloid is produced by Unipol Student Homes. It is for guidance only and is no substitute for the diverse legislation covers. Unipol Student Homes is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, No. 3401440, Registered Charity number No. 1063492. VAT Registration No. 698 8456 49. Unipol Student Homes accepts no liability whatsoever in respect of the advertisements prepared by Unipol Student Homes based on the contents on Accommodation Details Forms and in no circumstances (whether caused by negligence or otherwise) will Unipol Student Homes be liable for any consequential or indirect damage or loss of rent or loss of profit suffered or incurred by you or any third party howsoever caused. © Copyright 2016 Unipol Student Homes

THE CODE

FEBRUARY 2016

The Unipol Codes are at the heart of everything we do. They are a set of standards, and ensure that your student home is safe and comfortable and your landlord will play fair. Safe and comfortable

4 4 4

Your Code home:

Will conform to security and fire safety standards higher than legally required Will be ready and any refurbishment or building work finished before your tenancy starts , unless agreed with you Will be clean at the start of your tenancy

Any landlord who lets to students can choose to sign up to the Unipol Codes, and in doing so they agree to keep to the high standards set. Landlords who sign up to the Codes show they are committed to improving student housing, starting with your home.

Fair Play

All Code homes and landlords should meet Code standards – if they don’t, we can provide help and advice, and you can use the Code complaints process to help you resolve the matter.

4 Will act professionally and courteously at all times 4 Will advertise properties, without misrepresentation, and all fees made clear to you Will give you at least 24 hours to check over your contract before signing, and won’t let to 4 anyone else during this time 4 Will outline rent and bills clearly to you before you sign, so there are no surprise costs 4 Will protect your deposit in a protection scheme and be fairly managed Your Code landlord:

And there’s lots more! For more info, pick up a copy of our Unipol Codes leaflet, or look online at:

www.unipol.org.uk/the-code

Tip for house hunting Find out if your landlord or agent is a member of one of Unipol’s Codes at: www.unipol.org.uk/landlords/landlord-directory Call on 01274 235899 or email bradfordcode@unipol.org.uk

FEBRUARY 2016

FINANCIAL

Not sure you’re in the right house share? There are many reasons why groups can fall through, if it happens to you don’t panic! There is plenty of help and advice available. I was in a group but now I’m alone - help! If your group falls through before you’ve even found a house you don’t need to worrythere are plenty of student bed spaces available and new friends to make. Many landlords offer bed spaces on individual contracts so you can sign for a room in a house, sharing with others. Unipol holds house hunting events to help you meet other house hunters from February onwards. Also try our online student noticeboard, we have a dedicated board ‘forming a group to look for housing’ that helps hundreds of students each year. I’m just not sure about living with these people If you have formed a group but you’re not sure about living with them it is best to speak up as soon as possible - don’t tie

yourself to a contract if you’re not 100% sure. Most student lets are nine months to a whole year and this is a long time to live with people that you feel may not be right for you. It won’t be easy but you will feel so relieved and they might be feeling the same. For further help and advice you can speak to your student advice centre at your students’ union. We’ve found the perfect house but someone has just pulled out The good news is there are lots of students looking to join groups. Search for ‘student notice board’ on the Unipol website to direct you to a forum to help you contact others and post a message about your property and group. Keep the landlord informed. We’ve signed for a house but decided to go our separate

ways - what can we do? If you have already signed a contract and paid a deposit for a property and then the group falls through it is important to contact the landlord straight away. You will all be legally bound to the contract and the landlord does not have to cancel the contract because of your circumstances. Most landlords will release you from your liabilities if you find another group. Ask your landlord if they can re-advertise the property on their website and Unipol. You can use the Unipol student notice board to search for replacements. Spread the word on social media and ask course mates and friends if they know anyone who is still looking. Your landlord may charge an admin fee for the extra paperwork and time involved in swapping the group over so remember to ask about this in advance.

What is a deposit?

Contract checking

It’s super quick, free and understanding the small print can save you money

igning for a property with your friends is one of the best things you will do but before you decide to sign on the dotted line, remember to call in to your students’ union and get your contract checked. They can point out any ‘shaky’ clauses and explain the tricky bits so you know exactly what you are committing to before signing. The sorts of questions that are useful to ask are: n

What’s the difference between an Individual Tenancy and a Joint Tenancy and which am I signing? n What does my deposit cover and how is it protected? n What is an admin fee for? n What is a Guarantor? n What’s a HMO Licence fee? n Will I be dealing with the Landlord or with a Managing Agent? n Is there anything I should be wary of?

Don’t sign a contract if you are not happy with the terms or there are any aspects of the agreement you do not understand. A Unipol Code Landlord should always give you at least 24 hours to take a copy of the contract away and

Sarah's TOP Tips on Groups

look over it, so take advantage of this. Many Unipol Code landlords are now using the Unipol Model Tenancy Agreement that offers clearly understandable terms and is recommended by the students’ unions

So remember: Once you have signed the contract it is legally binding on all parties so you can’t change your mind.

deposit is a sum of money taken at the time of signing your contract. Your landlord should confirm in writing what the deposit covers. This may be set out in your tenancy agreement or your landlord may give you a separate document. Your deposit is your money. If you've paid all the rent due and caused no damage, the full amount of your deposit should be returned at the end of your tenancy. Your landlord can make reasonable deductions from your deposit to cover certain losses. This can include money to cover any damage to the property; pay unpaid rent; pay for cleaning. Your landlord should let you know how much money they're keeping from your deposit and the reasons

why. Your landlord must return what's left of your deposit to you. Tenancy Deposit Protection This is good news for students. All tenancy deposits paid by an assured shorthold tenant have to be protected by the landlord in a government-backed scheme and the details of which supplied to you within 30 days of receiving your deposit. To find out more about deposit protection visit: https://www.unipol.org.uk/advice /students/know-your-rightscontracts-and-muchmore/deposits

S tu d Com ent m en ts

What do you like about your current landlord/agent? We only see them when we need them Why is the Unipol Code good for students? It helps to make the houses safe

Zosh Skomronska

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The University Managed Accommodation

The Green

En-suite and Townhouse Rooms available

The Place to live while studying at the University of Bradford ■ 1026 Rooms onsite ■ Opened in September 2011 ■ Managed by the University of Bradford Accommodation team ■ Located on the University of Bradford main campus ■ Wi-Fi internet ■ 24Hour security cover ■ Electronic fob system ■ BREEAM Accolade of ‘outstanding’ for sustainable design

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Why not contact us!

Warden Team Green Ambassadors Weekly ‘drop in’ advice sessions CCTV throughout site Accommodation Team

01274 234883 accommodation@bradford.ac.uk www.brad.ac.uk/accommodation

10 Pemberton Drive

The following adverts are from individual landlords. They are arranged by bedspaces and street name >> Horton Grange Rd.

Rare and different student property Lovely semi Gardens with parking for 4 cars Large bedrooms Separate living room Quality furnishings

BD7 | 3 Bed

Leather suite Lawned gardens maintained by gardener Must be viewed to appreciate Not your usual student let Book early

Rent: £45 pppw Contact: Sharaz 0783 002 1896 Gt. Horton Road

Only seconds away from campus Very large rooms Fully furnished For groups of 8, 9 or 10 Separate WC Not to be missed - first to see will take! Will consider all inclusive

BD7 | 8,9,10 Bed

Separate living room Parking for 4 cars 3 bathrooms 2 kitchens Rare property Directly opposite University gym Super location View Early!

Rent: £48 pppw Contact: Sharaz 0783 002 1896

BD7 | 2 Bed

Fieldhead Street

BD7 | 3 Bed

This is a very comfortable and well decorated two bedroom flat with its own kitchen and bathroom. Ideally located within 100 metres from the main campus, it’s been very popular with undergraduates and couples. Rooms are available individually if required.

Three bedroom house in quiet residential area Close to university and amenities Excellent condition Summer concession Unipol golden owner

Rent: £55 pppw Deposit: £250 pp Contact: Chandu Mistry 0785 219 6699

Rent: £44 pppw Contact: Josie Smith 0771 531 5053

Fieldhead Street

BD7 | 4 Bed

Merton Road

BD7 | 7 Bed

Four bedroom house in quiet residential area Close to university and amenities Excellent condition Summer concession Unipol golden owner

This is a 7 bedroom with excellent facilities. It has 6 bathrooms of which 4 are ensuite. It also has a double kitchen facilities. From the 7 bedrooms, one is a studio flat with its own ensuite and kitchen. Rooms are available individually. Rent range is between £46 to £75 per week.

Rent: £38 pppw Contact: Josie Smith 0771 531 5053

Rent: £46-£75 pppw Deposit: £250 pp Contact: Chandu Mistry 0785 219 6699

Laisteridge Lane

BD7 | 10 Bed

Merton House has 10 self-contained studio flats with own kitchens & en-suites. Full furnished. FREE use of washing machines and FREE fibre- optic internet. Sound-proofing between each flat. Building & Fire regulations compliant. 24 hour on-call manager.

Rent: £80.77pppw Deposit: None Contact: Sijad Housing Group 07831 557730

Laisteridge Lane

BD7 | 11 Bed

All inclusive rents available for groups of 11 or 12. Just a few minutes walk from the university, large spacious rooms throughout with excellent facilities inside. Includes jacuzzi, steam bath, CCTV and a burglar alarm. This is a property to show off to your friends.

Rent: £80 pppw Contact: Jawed Akhtar 07966 543055

Ashgrove

FEBRUARY 2016

LIVING

BD7 | 3 Bed

Laisteridge Lane

BD7 | 4 Bed

St. Margarets Rd.

BD7 | 4 Bed

Rothersay Terrace

BD7 | 5 Bed

Newly refurbished throughout with rooms available now Just a few minutes walk from the main campus Rent can be inclusive of utilities, inclusive rent just £67.00pppw

Available for groups of 4 or 5. Just a few minutes from the university. Large spacious rooms with excellent facilities inside including two bathrooms with power showers and sinks in all bedrooms.

£55.50/pppw bills inclusive or £44/pppw bills exclusive. 4 bedroom coucil in good decorative order. New bathroom, brand new large modern kitchen. Car parking space for 2 cars in the yard. 5 minutes walk to the university. Ideal home for a group of 4

Rent £57.70pppw contact: S Laycock 07946 619 266

Rent £50pppw

Rent £44-£55.50pppw contact:

£58/pppw bills inclusive or £47.25/pppw bills exclusive. 5 beds, fully licensed in good decorative order, 2 new bathrooms, smart TV, 200 metres from Foster Halls. 5 minutes walk from uni. 3 of the current tenants would like to live there for 2016-2017. Ideal for a group of 5 too. Rent £58pppw contact:

K Shan 0779 1169689

contact: Jawed Akhtar 07875 394331

Ask the Landlord

Are all inclusive rents better?

One of our small portfolio landlords Chandu Mistry has kindly put together some of the questions that he is almost never asked and thinks you should consider asking before signing for a property. However nice the property looks when you view it you also need to take a view on how the property is managed. This is not always easy to determine but below are some of the questions to ask that might help you form a view Think about asking the landlord: n Will the landlord do a written inventory or a video inventory showing not only the inventory but the condition of the property? n If there is a need for maintenance who do the tenants contact and how quickly are the repairs undertaken? When can the Landlord be contacted and by which preferred means? n When meeting the Landlord to view the property was the Landlord friendly and easy to talk to? n How many properties does

the Landlord have and who manages them? Does the condition of the property viewed and currents tenant’s references reflect good management? How many years experience does the Landlord have? Which scheme does the landlord use to protect the deposit? With regard to the house security are the front door lock cylinders and bedroom lock cylinders changed with every tenancy or are the keys copy protected so copies cannot be made and retained by previous tenants?

If the rent is inclusive of bills, is there any restrictions on the use of heating and lighting? Is the heating restricted to a certain number of hours per day? Are the heating controls accessible to all tenants? What are typical bills for the property? Is the house adequately insulated? What improvements to the property have been made since the energy performance certificate has been done?

ike most things they can be for some but not for others. There is no doubt that having an all-inclusive rent can appear on the surface to be the best option particularly for larger shared properties. The obvious pros include less hassle; its set up and ready to go when you move in; no arguments with flatmates over bills and easier budgeting. The potential cons would be that some all-inclusive deals turn out not to be quite that! So make sure you check your contract carefully to see what the usage limits are. Sometimes the cost of setting up the inclusive items and over estimates of your usage will be reflected in a higher rental cost to you. Exclusive rents will often

mean more work at the beginning but does give you maximum flexibility over which providers you use and the services you want and this can lead to savings. There are lots of helpful student focussed websites that will help you narrow down which providers to use. However if your property turns out to be not very energy efficient you could end up paying more or turning the heating down more than you want. Checking the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating on adverts on Unipol’s website will give you an indication.

t Studen Comments

What do you like about your current landlord/agent? Very polite on the phone, when they do fix problems they do it well Why is the Unipol Code good for students? Helps landlords to keep to standards

Amy Hevern

THINKING ABOUT YOUR

DREAM HOME? Excited about choosing your next home? We’ve got your back. The Unipol Code has been designed specifically to help you be sure that you’ll be living in a property that’s safe, secure and well managed. And if you have any difficulties with the property Unipol can help you out.

Read our house hunting guide It’s jam-packed full of everything you need to know about house hunting in Bradford: https://www.unipol.org.uk/accommodation-list/ house-hunting-in-bradford/download-guides/bradford-house-hunting-guide-2016

FEBRUARY 2016

DEPOSITS

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HOUSE HUNTING

FEBRUARY 2016

We're going house hunting Who do I want to live with? Think about who you want to live with. You may be asked to sign a joint contract in your 2nd & 3rd year, so can you can rely on your friends to pay the rent and the bills? Are you very sociable and like to go out a lot or do you prefer a quiet house and place to study?

Get the right info Start with Unipol, either a visit to our website: www.unipol.org.uk/BradfordHH or call in to our housing hub in the Richmond Building. Unipol has terminals to search for properties, free phones to arrange viewings and staff on hand to give advice.

What area should we live in?

Consider: n n n

there are four of us!

n n

where you study where you work how much public transport costs what amenities an area has going out on a night

Using the Unipol website Our website gives you access to more properties than any other in Bradford so there is no better place to start your search.

IBLE FULLY COMPAT BLET WITH YOUR TA NE. OR SMART PHO

Signing the Tenancy Agreement Read through the tenancy agreement and make sure you understand what you are signing for. Check the start date and finish date, how much you are paying and when. Chances are you will not be able to change your mind.

Viewing the property Take the checklist from inside the Unipol House Hunting Guide when you go around a property. It will remind you to check things you might not think of and ask questions of the current tenants. What do they think of the house? Have there been any problems?

landlord said deposit is in TDS

Note to Self: must remember to get contract checked....

Paying a deposit Most landlords require a deposit at the time of signing a contract. This is refundable at the end of the tenancy. The group make sure they get a leaflet from the landlord giving them information about which scheme the money will be protected in. If you are not paying a deposit, make sure the signing fees, booking fees and rent level are not increased or used in replacement of it. What might be appealing, may not add up financially.

Sorted There is nothing more for this lot to think about until they move in to their new home. ..â&#x20AC;Śthey seem pretty happy!

feeling happy :-)

FEBRUARY 2016

LOCATION

Where to live in Bradford Deciding on which area to live in is likely to be one of your top priorities so we asked some of our student staff who are living out in the popular student areas to give you their reasons for choosing their location. City Centre Bradford City Centre has increased in popularity with students in recent years and there has been an expansion in housing provision, largely in converted warehouses and offices. The City Centre in Bradford is becoming increasingly popular amongst students and it is offering more and more accommodation options within walking distance of the facilities, entertainment and amenities and the university and college. The city centre offers students all the perks of the student life.

The city centre is host to a wide range of shops, pubs, restaurants, museums and public spaces. City Park is home to the mirror pool, the largest urban water feature in the UK. Bradford is also the proud host of one of the most sought after museums - National Media Museum. In 2015 the new Broadway Shopping Centre opened, adding another 70 stores to the city centre in addition to the existing Kirkgate Shopping Centre, local shops and markets. There are also regular bus routes from most of the university area to the city centre.

Frizinghall Frizinghall is located close to the University of Bradford School of Management. The area is quiet, and very popular amongst families and students. Various shops can be found in Frizinghall, mostly along Keighley Road. Frizinghall is next to the award winning Lister Park, home to an art gallery, boating lake, Mughal Gardens and more. Also, Heaton village is located close by the village centre is home to pubs, restaurants and shops perfect for a weekendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s day of relaxation.

Great Horton

There are frequent bus services to the city centre run by a number of different operators. The journey takes approximately 15 minutes and services run every 7 minutes during weekdays. There is also a train service to Bradford on the Airedale Line. In addition, Yorkshire Tiger A99 runs direct between the School of Management (a few minutes walk away) and main university campus during term time. The A99 Bus is free to all Bradford University students.

Little Germany

University This is the most popular area with students. There is a wide variety of accommodation available, including halls of residences, flats, terraced houses, back to backs, semi detached and detached properties. Even though there is no shopping centre, there are numerous shops, restaurants, pubs, take outs and much more. The city centre is between 10 and 20 minutes walking, and a Free City bus links some of the areas with the city centre, Foster Square shopping area and the train stations.

Great Horton is a large area of Bradford, with the east of Great Horton popular with students due to its proximity to the University and the College. The area offers a lot of take-away shops, restaurants and local shops. There is also a Tesco Extra that is located approximately 20 minutes away from the main campus. Horton Park is a popular park in Great Horton benefiting from leafy gardens, a duck pond, football, basketball and cricket courses and play area. There are frequent buses to the city centre with the journey taking between 5 and 15 minutes. Buses run every 10 minutes during weekdays and many of the services pass the university and college. The main student area is close to the university and college and is around a 10 minute walk.

Little Germany sits alongside Bradford City Centre and takes its name from the German industrialists who built warehouses and based their businesses here in the 1800s. Much of the accommodation today is a range of apartments in these converted warehouses. Little Germany is in close proximity from the City Centre, a short 5-10 minutes walk will take students to all the museums, pubs, clubs, shops and restaurants have to offer. The newly opened Broadway Shopping Centre is located 5 minutes away, and so are the cinema, bowling and Bradford interchange. The city centre is just a few minutes walk away and the university and college are approximately a fifteen minute walk away.

For detailed information on the areas of Bradford from local amenities to transport information and rental costs please visit our online guide at: www.unipol.org.uk/advice/students/living-in-bradford/where-to-live-in-bradford

ADVICE

FEBRUARY 2016

Bradford College Students’ Union advice for House Hunting H

ouse hunting for the 2016 academic year begins in Bradford on Monday 8th February. You may never have looked for accommodation before and house hunting can be a scary experience. However, At Bradford College, the accommodation service is provided by a specialist student housing charity, Unipol, ensuring you get the best advice to help you find the perfect home. With the help and advice available from your student union and Unipol, you are fully prepared for successful house hunting. Don't forget how important it is to rent Unipol Code accredited properties and the importance of getting your contract checked by your

student union before signing. Remember, once you have signed a contract it is a legally binding agreement. With the support of your student union and Unipol, you will be fully prepared and ready to go. Plan for house hunting, seek advice and your house hunting experience will be much easier. There's a surplus of accommodation so above all else, do not panic and rush. Take your time, seek advice. Visit Unipol to collect a House Hunting guide, find out about deposit protection, ask about the Unipol Code and why you should only rent accredited properties. Bradford College Student Union Advice offers a free contract checking service. Any

good landlord will give you time to do this and all Unipol Code landlords will give you at least 24 hours to have your contract checked. Don't be put under pressure to sign too quickly. Read through the contract yourself but if there is anything you're unsure of or you have any questions, please contact SU advice by email suadvice@bradfordcollege.ac .uk or by phone 01274 433007

Happy House Hunting!

Katy says don’t panic, don’t rush in! House hunting has begun and you may think you have to rush out and take the first house you see because it’s just right for you. But stop! Bradford has a huge surplus of student accommodation which means you can plan, prepare and take your time to pick the accommodation that’s right for you. In the long term this means you will be happier and you might even find accommodation you wish to stay in next year too. Contracts Anyone who knows anything about accommodation will tell you to get your contract checked! There’s no reason not to - Unipol Code landlords must give you 24hrs to have your contract checked and any reputable landlord will allow you to have your contract checked too. If you would like someone to check it come to the student advice centre and ask for an appointment with the

welfare advisor. You should know that your tenancy agreement can be negotiated if YOU are not happy with it. Tenancy agreements are a legal contract and protect you throughout your time in the house so you want it to be right and to understand it fully. If you’ve made any agreements with the landlord before signing for example, agreeing to redecorate or replace the mattress’ etc. make sure it’s

written into the tenancy, a verbal contract doesn’t give any proof of agreement and is difficult to argue should there be disputes. Unless something is very wrong with the house, contracts are almost impossible to terminate early. So make sure you’re happy before you sign. Which agency/landlord shall I go with? The University of Bradford recommends, that students sign with agencies or landlords that accredited by the Unipol Code. All Unipol Code properties are inspected and it’s free for landlords to join. If a landlord or agency isn’t a member of the Code you need to ask why? Once you decide to sign for a property make sure you know exactly who you are dealing with – an agency may have shown you around but once you’ve signed the landlord becomes your main contact. Make sure you have all their details and try to meet them/find out more about them before you sign. The agency could be great, the landlord may not be.

Budget! Money is one thing that is always on a students’ mind and renting a house is expensive. Only you can know how much you can afford so make sure you have a proper think about your income and be honest about what you can afford. Make sure that you have a good talk with those you intend to share with as you may have different budgets and none of you want to be in a position next year where you can’t afford to pay for the house.

By Student ad visor Katy Hargrea ves

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