SOS.
Issue 001 Semester One 2012
Your guide to moving to Selly Oak
WHO?
A GUIDE TO DECIDING WHO TO LIVE WITH.
WHAT?
WHAT TO EXPECT FOR YOUR MONEY WHEN RENTING A HOUSE.
WHERE?
SELLY OAK AGAINST HARBORNE: IT’S WAR!
WHEN?
STUDENTS TELL YOU THE IDEAL TIME.
HOW?
HELP TO MAKE THOSE FINANCES BALANCE.
Welcome Welcome
SOS Smag OS mag
FROM THE TEAM FROM THE TEAM
SEMESTER 1 THE WINTER EDITION 2012 ISSUE 001 SEMESTER 1 THE WINTER EDITION 2012 ISSUE 001
A letter from the Editor A letter the Editor Well herefrom it is, welcome to the very first issue of SOS Magazine. Being a Fresher is an amazing experience; a year of partying, studying, and Well here itindependent. is, welcome to veryme, first ofextremely SOS Magazine. Being becoming Butthe trust it issue will go quickly. aBefore Fresher is an amazing experience; a year of partying, studying, you can say ‘Down it Fresher’, you’ll be moving out of hallsand becoming independent. But trust it will go extremely and into your very own house, andme, then things will start toquickly. get Before you can say ‘Down it Fresher’ , you’ll be moving out of halls complicated. andSOS intoMagazine your verywas owndreamt house,up and will Oak start Society to get was lastthen yearthings and Selly complicated. born. We poduce a termly magazine that will guide you through the SOS Magazine dreamt up lasthalls yeartoand Selly Oak Society can was stresses and strainswas of moving from houses. The process born. We poduce a termly magazine that will guide you through be complicated, and can feel like the most adult thing you have tothe do stresses and strains of moving from halls totohouses. Theout. process can at University, so we’ve got plenty of advice help you be It’s complicated, and cannofeel like the most adultour thing you have to do not all work and play though, within magazine you’ll at University, so we’ve got plenty of advice to help you out. also find puzzles, our very own agony aunt and some housing myths not all work and no play though, within our magazine you’ll thatIt’swe’ve busted! alsoThis findmagazine puzzles, our own aunt and some housing will very be the firstagony this academic year, and as it’smyths the that we’ve busted! winter edition we’re focussing on helping you find that dream house magazine will be the first thisissue academic year, and as it’son the andThis signing your contract. The next will give you advice winter edition we’re focussing on helping you find that dream house making the move, so keep your eyes peeled for it. andWe signing youryou contract. next issueas will giveas you advice on hope that enjoy The the magazine much we’ve enjoyed making the move, so keep your eyes peeled for it. making it for you. If you have any feedback or would like to get We hope thatproject you enjoy magazineon, as much we’ve enjoyed involved in the we’rethe embarking pleaseas don’t hesitate to making it for you. If you have any feedback or would like to get contact us at iloveso@guild.bham.ac.uk. involved in the project we’re embarking on, please don’t hesitate to contact us at iloveso@guild.bham.ac.uk.
rina Gray The Editor: Ker rina Gray The Editor: Ker
Editor
Selly Oak Society Committee
Illustrations
Editor Kerrina Gray
Selly ChairOak - EdSociety Gilbert Committee
Illustrations Max Rose-Fyne (200907@ccb.ac.uk)
Kerrina Gray
Chair - Ed Gilbert Vice-Chair - Rachel Armitage
Max (200907@ccb.ac.uk) Elise Rose-Fyne Ashby
Editoral team
Vice-Chair - RachelJakes Armitage Secretary - Rachel
Elise With Ashby thanks to ArtSoc
Editoral team Rachel Armitage
Secretary Jakes Treasurer - Rachel Caoimhe King
With thanks to ArtSoc
Rachel Armitage Ed Barclay
Treasurer - Caoimhe King Publicity OfficerKaren Pickering
Contact us
Ed Barclay Catriona Bell
Publicity OfficerKaren Pickering Events Officer - Ste Schizilli
Contact us iloveso@guild.bham.ac.uk
Catriona Bell Natalie Coles
Events Officer - Ste JessSchizilli Flanagan
iloveso@guild.bham.ac.uk
Natalie Coles Sophie Crane
Events Officer - Jess Flanagan
Get in touch
Sophie Crane Carys Lewis
Magazine design
Get in touch facebook.com/sellyoaksociety
Carys Lewis Liam Scally
Magazine design Kerrina Gray
facebook.com/sellyoaksociety guildofstudents.com
Liam Scally Abi Tunney
Kerrina Gray Ed Gilbert
guildofstudents.com @sellyoaksociety
Abi Tunney Gilbert The views expressed in SOS Magazine do not necessarily reflectEd the views of the Guild of Students, the publishers or the society. We aim to@sellyoaksociety provide a high quality magazine consistently, but if you find an error of fact in the magazine, then please feel free to contact us on iloveso@guild.bham.ac.uk. This publication has been produced by the Selly Oak Society, part of the University of Birmingham Guild of Students. The views expressed in SOS Magazine do not necessarily reflect the views of the Guild of Students, the publishers or the society. We aim to provide a high quality magazine consistently, but if you find an error of fact in the magazine, then please feel free to contact us on iloveso@guild.bham.ac.uk. This publication has been produced by the Selly Oak Society, part of the University of Birmingham Guild of Students.
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Contents
E T N
O C
S T N
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Contents
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Sophie Crane
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It seems like only yesterday that your parents were moving you into halls, and now you hear the news that you’ve somehow got to decide who you want to live with and find yourself a house. It’s always tempting to dive straight in there and perhaps even settle upon the first house you look at, but that is not a good idea. The rumours that there are not enough houses in Selly Oak for everyone. are not true. The houses aren’t going to run out. It’s a tale that has first-years worrying every year. Getting a house this early will mean rushing into signing a year-long contract to live with people you may not be sure you want to be living with. Getting a house sorted in first term just isn’t really necessary, it is often a good idea to wait until Semester two. The most important thing about looking for a house is knowing that you’re looking for a house with people you really want to be living with. You may have a list in your head about everything you want from your first student house, but if you’re not living with those special people, things can be tough. Waiting until after the Christmas holidays is good because it helps you make up your mind about who to live with. This time also gives you the opportunity to think about your own personal preferences for the house you’re going to start looking for, whether that includes cheap rent or a double bed. If you’ve already hurried into sort- ing a house out before Christmas, you miss out on this precious thinking time! It is also important to remember that you have to pay a deposit when you settle on a house, and this can often be quite a signigcant sum. Therefore you need to be really certain that this is the house for you. Heartbreaking as it always is to see a few hundred pounds disappearing from your bank account, it’ll feel a lot less painful if you know you’ve made the right decision and won’t regret it in a few months time. At the beginning of Semester 2, you’ll also have the opportunity to go to the housing fair. This will help you find a house and landlord accredited by the Guild. It is a good idea to have done a bit of research before the fair so you know what sort of houses you are looking for and can book viewings with landlords whilst you’re there. After the fair, h ou s e s may start to go quickly and you have to be prepared that a house you were looking forward to seeing will already have gone, so it’s important to have a few backups. However, there will be more than one right house for you so there is no need to panic! There is definitely a level of patience needed for traipsing round student houses, Having learnt from experience, it’s probably for the best if you throw yourself into house hunting with a clear head. After all, after you’ve got your house, you can make up for it with a big celebratory night out!
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When should you start looking for your house?
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‘In first year I started looking around late November, we rushed into it and I feel now we could have got more for our money. I’d say looking before Christmas is fine but make sure you look at plenty of houses first.’ Dan, Geology, year 3
‘I started looking for my current house around the end of January but because six is such a popular number we struggled to find something and ended up living in a house of 7. I wish we would have looked before Christmas.’ Lottie, Geography, year 3
‘We looked for our house in January, and I would say it was the right time because we weren’t rushed into a decision and there were still plenty of good houses left.’ Helena, Modern Languages, year 2
‘We started looking for our house in early December, it was way too early. We rushed into signing a contract thinking all the best houses would go quickly and ended up getting a terrible house.’ Tara, English, year 2
‘We looked in March, it appeared that all of the good houses were gone and we were left with the remnants of the poor quality, long distance and overpriced houses.’ Robert, Mechanical Engineering, year 3
‘I started looking for my house in late November as I wanted to get the pick of the crop. In retrospect, this was probably rash. My advice would be not to rush into a contract. Also using the ARC was helpful.’ Jack, Physics, year 3
‘We thought that although it was good and a relief to sort it before we broke up for the Christmas holidays, we don’t think we gave it our full attention and didn’t look properly for houses. Maybe we should have spent longer’ Mike, History, year 3
‘I started looking for a house after christmas, in fact we even waited until the housing fair. We felt that it was a bit stressful at the end of term since people had various deadlines.’ Catriona, Modern Languages, year 2
‘We started looking for a house after Reading Week in first semester and had signed for our house by Christmas. There were still plenty of houses avaliable to view though so we probably could have waited longer.’ Sarah, Natural Sciences, year 2
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Abi Tunney
Who to live with Try not to underestimate how important choosing your housemates is. Once you’re out of halls it’s not as easy to just pop in and out of peoples’ flats whenever you fancy, so living with the right people will be crucial to the rest of your University life. It’s first worth saying that you shouldn’t feel obliged to live with your current flatmates if you do not get on with them; it might cause some tension initially but they’ll quickly get over it. The chances are if you don’t want to live with them, they may not want to live with you either, so it’s better to be honest than end up living in a house you’re not happy in, as this could ruin your Selly Oak experience entirely. Before you make a final decision on who you will live with, make sure they have a similar budget to you so that you don’t start having arguments before you’ve even moved in. The most important thing to do is make a considered decision that you’re happy with. Finding the right housemates really is the most important thing you can do before looking for your house.
Couple Syndrome The worst mistake you could possibly make when choosing your housemates is to live with your other half. Whilst the chance to live with your partner away from prying parents is tempting now, moving in together could quite easily ruin your relationship and friendships along the way. Let’s face it, no one wants to be the gooseberry witnessing awkward PDAs, or suffer through choosing between friends when the inevitable arguments and possible break-up occurs. Lucy, a third year Psychology student, who lived with a couple for a year said, ‘when they broke up they couldn’t stand each other which meant my housemates and I were totally divided. It caused massive tension in the house and pretty much ruined our second term. My advice would be to not live as a couple or with another couple - it could possibly sour your Uni experience.’
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When they broke up they couldn’t stand each other... we were totally divided
How many people?
Max Rose-Fyne
Another question that you should definitely ask yourself is how many people do you want to live with? Living in a house of seven or eight in Selly Oak is very different to living in a smaller house; mess - and particularly washing up - will build up much quicker. Also, the bigger the house, the colder the house. If you all want to put the heating on, then this could result in bigger bills! On the flip side, getting a house of three could also be risky as it’s much easier to end up being alone in the house , and bills will be more expensive as there are less of you to split it between. Houses of 4-6 seem to be the common number, but remember that these sized houses go the quickest, so keep this in mind when you think about looking for your second year home.
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Abi Tunney
SOS mag
Girls vs. Boys
Max Rose-Fyne
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Living in a mixed or single sex house is something else you will want to think about. Girls, you should consider what you want to be constantly on the TV screen in your living room: TOWIE or Fifa? Guys, are you down for the hair clogged plugs and listening in on girl talk? This might be a slight stereotype but it does happen! Sophie, who has lived with girls for three years said ‘I’d never live in a mixed sex house, I like our guy friends and wouldn’t want to ruin our friendship by living with them. A girls’ house means we can gossip about guys, watch endless chick flicks and of course have a beautiful man wall!’ However, Dan, a third year, said ‘I love living in a mixed house, the girls calm us down and make us clean - without them we’d be living in a tip and I think it would just get too crazy.’ So, if you get the right mix, living with guys and girls can still be a lot of fun (and can always add some variety to house antics!).
Living with course mates We did everything together and I couldn’t escape
Next tricky scenario: to live with course friends or not? Living with course mates can be great; you’re on similar timetables, so you’re rarely in the house on your own. Also, when it comes to exams you have a handy revision buddy without even leaving the house - and you can make it a team effort to drag yourselves to those 9AM lectures after nights out! If you are considering living with a course friend, always bear in mind they should have a similar work ethic to you. The last thing you want is someone who will take advantage of living under the same roof, driving you totally crazy by copying notes and stealing books. Sarah, who chose to live with her coursemates during her second year, said, ‘Living with coursemates was a big mistake for me. Although I loved them when I wasn’t living with them, it was a whole different board game when I moved in with them. Because we were on the same course we did everything together and I couldn’t escape.’
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Ed Barclay
Housing Myths BUSTED As if finding somewhere to live isn’t difficult enough, there are a lot of myths thrown around that can catch out the unwary student. Below are some of the most common housing myths:
‘If we don’t act soon there’ll be nowhere to live’ There are more than enough rooms for students in Selly Oak, and while it may seem that everyone else is getting their house sorted, there’s no need to panic. Every year, there are unfilled houses and bedrooms.
‘Selly Oak is a really scary place to live’ While you may have heard horror stories about crime in Selly Oak, there are often some simple ways to protect your home and possessions. Selly Oak has plenty of pubs, shops, restaurants and other amenities that make it a great place to live. Fear of crime should not dissuade you from moving there.
‘It will be cheaper if there are more of us’ There are many factors that decide how much rent will cost beside how many of you are sharing the house. These include room size, proximity to the university and what the interior of a house is like, so if you want to pay less bare those in mind too. Also, it can also be harder to find a house for more people due to the limited size of the houses.
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‘It will be so much quieter than halls’ Unfortunately this isn’t always the case. Houses in Selly Oak can be over 110 years old, so expect to hear noise more often from those in upstairs bedrooms as the floors may creak. Also, as most of the houses are terraced, you may hear the neighbours more often than you’re currently used to.
‘All the best houses are gone by the start of December’ This is definitely not true. Don’t rush to get a house before December thinking you will only get a bargain before Christmas. It’s natural to want to get your house signed quickly, but remember that it’s ultimately better to take your time searching and comparing houses rather than rushing!
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Top Tips
Catriona Bell
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WHEN LOOKING ROUND HOUSES
Before your visit:
Have a mini meeting beforehand. Most importantly you need to agree on what your budget is, not everyone will have the same income. Also you should decide what things are most important to you. Do you want to be close to University? Do you need more than one bathroom? Never go when you are tired, hungry or hung-over. You will be more concerned with getting back home than looking at the houses. If you have never been to Selly Oak before, go and check it out before you go house hunting. Then you should get an idea of where everything is and perhaps where you would like to stay.
During your visit:
Make sure everyone is there. Although people might say they don’t mind that much and that they trust you to make a decision for them, in the end it never turns out to be the case. Take notes and photos of every house that you look at. You will probably look at quite a few places and many of the houses in Selly Oak have a similar layout so it is very easy to completely forget what each of the houses looked like. Jot down the pros and cons of each property. Ask the tenants about the property. Once you have finished looking at the property have a quick chat about it before you go on to look at the next one. This will give you a chance to write down your first impressions and decide if it was somewhere you could consider living without the awkward presence of a landlord.
After your visit:
With all the photos and notes that you’ve taken you should be able to make profiles about each house with a list of pros and cons. If possible try and work out how far each house is from the University. If you’ve spent the day looking at lots of houses you may not realise how far you walked! Don’t rush into signing a contract. The landlord might be pushy and try and tell you that the property will go if you don’t sign the contract straight away. Although this could happen, it is worth the risk if you are not 100% happy.
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What To Expect
What to expect from a house that costs... The Selly Oak Society Magazine team conducted a survey to help you know what to expect from a house which costs a certain price. We spoke to 100 people who lived in houses in Selly Oak from varying prices of £50-90 per week. These people were surveyed on: how long their walk into University is, how many people live in their house, whether the house contains single or double bedrooms, the number of bathrooms in the house, and the number of fridges. We also asked them to give their house a star rating out of 5 on quality. Once you’ve decided your budget, make sure you’re realistic in what you can expect from a house in Selly Oak.
[£50
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We surveyed 16 people who live in houses which cost between £50-59 per week about what they they get for their money (all results are an average of survey responses): Minutes walk from University: 22 minutes Number of people in house: 3.4 people Double/single rooms: Mostly single rooms, occasionally a mix Number of bathrooms: One bathroom in all cases Number of fridges: One fridge in all cases Star rating (out of 5):
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We surveyed 26 people who live in houses which cost between £60-69 per week about what they they get for their money (all results are an average of survey responses): Minutes walk from University: 17 minutes Number of people in house: 4.4 Double/single rooms: 69% had all double bedrooms, 27% had a mix and 4% had all single bedrooms Number of bathrooms: One bathroom in all cases Number of fridges: One fridge in most cases, occassionally two Notes: Make sure to look round as many houses as possible, as in this price range the quality of house for your money varies enourmously Star rating (out of 5):
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WhatToToExpect Expect SSOOSS What mag mag
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We surveyed 35 people who live in houses which cost between £70-79 per week about what they they get for their money (all results are an average of survey responses): Minutes walk from University: 15 minutes Number of people in house: 4.89 people Double/single rooms: 83% double rooms, 17% mix Number of bathrooms: 57% had two bathrooms, 43% had one bathroom Number of fridges: 66% had two fridges, 34% had one fridge Notes: When you start paying this amount of money, you are looking at larger houses (i.e. houses of 5,6,7 bedrooms). Make sure to check out how warm a house is when you walk in, as heating (mould/damp too) can be a serious issue with larger houses. Star rating (out of 5):
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What to Expect
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We surveyed 23 people who live in houses which cost between £80-90 per week about what they they get for their money (all results are an average of survey responses): Minutes walk from University: 12 minutes Number of people in house: 4.67 Double/single rooms: 91% had all double bedrooms, 9% had a mix Number of bathrooms: 13% had three bathrooms, 83% had two bathrooms, 4% had one bathroom Number of fridges: 78% had two fridges, 22% had one fridge Notes: Be warned that this is the higher end of rental prices for Selly Oak houses. If you are all prepared to pay this amount of money, make sure that you get the best house you can - you should be getting all the modcons for this price range. Star rating (out of 5):
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Ed Gilbert
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‘Do it Right!’ Selly Oak Society’s Chair Ed Gilbert spoke to the Guild of Student’s Vice President of Housing and Community (VPHC) James Robertson to get his top tips on the house hunting process. 1. Don’t rush and make sure you do it right
Hi James, so first tell us what you do. I’m the VPHC (Vice-president of Housing and Community), responsible for anything in regard to university accommodation. On top of that I oversee students living in the local community. Moving into Selly Oak can be a tricky and scary ordeal, what are your top tips for the transition?
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2. Have a look through all of the Guild publications (housing leaflet and this magazine) 3. Watch the top ten tips housing video on my blog (find on guildofstudents.com) 4. Think about what you really want and who you want to live with
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Ed Gilbert
Do you have any regrets about when you moved into Selly Oak? If so, what? And how would you warn against students from making the mistakes you did. I moved into a property that wasn’t complete when I looked around, scheduled for completion for the start of the contract. It was finished 6 weeks after the beginning of the cotract. So, always try to avoid signing on houses that aren’t complete. If you’re determined on moving in to a particular house that isn’t complete then make sure of the following: 1. Make sure the contract is tight so that you’re covered in the event that the house isn’t finished in time 2. Ensure your letting agent has a policy on alternative accommodation (or what they can do if your house isn’t finished). They will have a policy of some sort – whether it would be re-homing or refund of rate. When is the ideal time to start looking for a house? I would recommend that you don’t start looking for a house until after the Christmas break. This is to ensure that you have all the information that you need to do it right, and have found the right type of people to live with. Letting agents will start pressuring you to sign for a house from November onwards, but always bear in mind that there are more houses than students. What should students keep in mind when looking for a house? 1. The essentials of a property, such as secure doors, adequate fire and burglar alarms, as well as adequate space and facilities for the amount of people living there 2. Students should avoid being blinded by big televisions and double beds. Although these are nice to have, they are not necessities. Keep your eyes on the things that will keep you safe! What are the things to avoid when looking for a house? 1. Look for landlords that are accredited through the Midland Landlord Accreditation Scheme (MLAS). You can find a full list of accredited landlords on the MLAS website – the ARC will also check whether your landlord is accredited when checking your contract. 2. Try to avoid properties with single-glazed windows and single locks on front doors
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3. Talk to tenants to find out their top tips 4. Avoid houses with obvious damp and mould, as this can often indicate deeper underlying issues Do students need to be worried about moving into Selly Oak with the crime level as it is? No – myself and the community wardens (run by the Guild of Students) work with our local police force, and are always trying to improve the safety of Selly Oak. Over the last few years, things have been getting increasingly better. Statistics may seem scary, but remember that you can do simple things to avoid being part of the statistics. How can the Guild help with the moving in process? The Guild will provide a booklet at the end of the third term with all the information you need for living in the local community. The booklet will cover issues ranging from bin days to home safety to being a good neighbour. I will also be at all the housing road-shows this term. These will be happening in the last two weeks of November (20th-29th) across the Guild of Students, the Vale and Pritchatts Park. You can also contact me on vphc@guild.bham. ac.uk. I’m here to help and give advice where necessary.
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When looking for a house, take your time and make sure to do it right.
How can students make sure they’re not ripped off? Listen to all our advice and attend as many housing road shows as possible. Listen and act on our advice. Also ensure that you look round as many houses as possible with accredited letting agents. The ARC checks contracts for free, and I thoroughly advise all students to get contracts checked here before signing a contract with any letting agency. Look for letting agents that don’t charge any fees for students too. I would like to make you aware that SHAC (located in the Guild of Students) does not charge student fees on any of their rentable accommodation. If you want more tips or advice, you can always contact the mentor scheme on mentorwelfare@guild.bham.ac.uk.
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Jessica Flanagan
The SOS guide to... finances Financially, it is a big step moving from living in accommodation to living within the student village of Selly Oak. Whether paying your own bills, or living in a house where bills are all inclusive, you will gain a lot of independence living in a student house. Firstly, be wary of what you are paying for. When looking around a property, assess whether the rent matches what is being offered. If the rent is high, and the house is shabby and without bills then something is not quite right. Always ensure your house is good value for money in terms of rent, bills, potential insurance and any added extras. It is always a good idea to look around lots of houses and suss out what else you can get for your money. When you have found the house which is right and looks like somewhere you can reside for the next year, then now is the time to confirm it with the estate agents. However this is when you will encounter hidden costs which you may not have previously thought about. Unfortunately there is the deposit to pay and also sometimes a holding fee. These pages will help you get clued up as to what both of these are. Always remember to keep a record of every amount of money that you put towards a property in receipt form and make sure that the other tenants intend to do so similarly. On a final note, make sure you can trust the estate agent or private landlord you rent your house from.
Holding Fees When you have finally made your decision about what house is right for you a ‘holding fee’ can be requested by the landlord or estate agent who will reserve the relevant property. Sounds simple enough, however, it is important that you are aware of the basic facts before you give your money away. Firstly, it is imperative that you find out how much your particular ‘holding fee’ will be. These can range significantly and are subjective, meaning it is at the landlord’s/agent’s discretion as to how much they charge. Holding fees tend to be substantial sums as you are effectively taking the property off the market and committing to renting the property. This becomes particularly relevant when you realise that if you change your mind, the holding fee can be difficult to recover. The landlord is entitled to retain your money to cover costs and losses. In most cases however, landlords can only legally retain an amount that is equivalent to the reasonable cost of re-advertising the property. It is also important to note that holding fees do not guarantee that the landlord has to let the property to you (although in this instance you can get your money back). The only time when you can be confident that the property is yours is after you and the landlord have signed a contract and a deposit has been paid. Here are two key steps to follow before paying your holding fee: i. The landlord or agent should provide a written document which explains what the holding fee is and any terms and conditions attached to it.
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Selly Oak Society - Winter Edition
Caoimhe CaoimheKing King SSO OSS mag mag Elise Ashby
ii. Try not to pay in cash- credit card or a cheque is preferable. You should also ensure you receive a receipt for the money you have paid. This may seem slightly excessive but it is the only way that you can ensure that you will re-gain your money once you have signed your contract. Having said all of this, it is not always necessary to pay a holding fee. It is possible to go straight to the estate agent and pay an administration fee instead. This has the same effect in principle as the agent will inform the landlord that there are people interested in renting their property. It is important to note that this fee is non-refundable but it is pretty difficult to avoid it, regardless of whether you have paid a holding fee or not. It also operates in the same way as holding fees meaning you must sign a contract with the landlord before your tenancy becomes binding. On a final note, make sure you can trust the estate agents or your landlord. Get ARC in the Guild to read over your contracts, ensure that any payments to the agents is documented and legitimate, and keep in communication with any queries.
Deposits
The final step in securing your house for the next year is paying your deposit. Once you have paid your deposit and signed your tenancy agreement the property will officially be yours. Yet there are a few key issues that you should note when paying your deposit. Generally speaking a deposit will be one month’s rent, however this can vary up to as much as two month’s rent. There is not a definitive amount of money that you should expect to pay. However you should consider whether the deposit seems relative to the property you are renting. If more than two month’s rent is being asked for then you should consult ARC in the Guild and check that your landlord is accredited. The real issue that arises in relation to deposits is trying to get them back at the end of your tenancy. The deposit is a safety net for the landlord, to cover any damage done by tenants. Hence it can lead to disputes over whether you should recuperate your full deposit. To try and minimise any possibility of not getting your full deposit back there are a few things that you should bear in mind. Firstly, once you get your contract it is very important to read the various clauses that make up the body of the document. The contract will lay out what you can and cannot do as well as stating what the landlord’s rights and responsibilities are. If you are aware of the various provisions that make up your contract you can make sure you do not become liable to pay any money due to non-compliance with the terms. It is important to remember that a contract is a legal document and by signing it you are agreeing to uphold all of its provisions. It will take no more than 10-15 minutes to read through the contract but it could end up saving you a lot of money. Secondly, when you move into your property you should make a list of any items that are already damaged. There is no point in coming to the end of your tenancy and arguing with your landlord over an item that has been broken since you got there. By taking a few minutes at the very beginning and informing your landlord of any current problems it will ensure that you won’t be blamed for them when your contract concludes. Finally, it is important that you make sure to chase your deposit at the end of the year as it is your responsibility to ensure that you get your money back. It may require a little bit of effort but you are fully entitled to receive your money back so do not settle for being told that you cannot. If you follow these simple tips, paying for your deposit but more importantly getting your money back at the end of your tenancy should be straightforward and hassle free.
Selly Oak Society - Winter Edition
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SOS mag
Liam Scally
The first thing to remember when looking round any house is that the current tenants know best. They know all the inside information you can’t get from simply looking around the house. On top of that, they’re likely to be more honest than the landlord. When looking around houses you are thinking of renting, it is always a good idea to ask the current tenants what they think. Liam Scally has put together a list of the most useful questions you can ask the tenants. Don’t forget to take note of their answers!
What to ask current tenants 1. How busy is your road? Is it constantly busy or loud at certain times of the day? 2. How would you rate the landlord or letting agency? Do they respond quickly to any problems you have? 3. How much are the bills on average per month? Would you recommend the companies you are with? 4.
How long does it take to walk to campus? Does it bother you?
5. Is there a lof of damp? Is the house warm? Does it keep its warmth when the heating is on? 6. Did you get all of the appliances with the house? Are there any quirks we should know about with the appliances? 7. Have there been any problems with crime? Do you feel safe? Are the next door neighbours students?
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Selly Oak Society - Winter Edition
SOS mag
Carys Lewis
Selly Oak Agony SOS Magazine’s very own agony aunt helps solve your Selly Oak and housing problems. Grrr... Every time I step into my lounge it’s almost as if I’m treading on landmines! I’ve nearly broken my neck many times trying to hop and leap over all the mess. What should I do? I firstly suggest that you invest in some fancy dress style bunny ears. This should significantly improve your hopping; and ensure that you are at less risk of an injury. Perhaps a pogo stick may also help? Alternatively, I would suggest spending some time making a cleaning rota. That way you can share the cleaning duties and ensure that your house is in a habitable condition and would not need risk assessing before entering. A rota is a simple and effective way to bond as a house, cleaning can be fun if you do it with a friend and blast some cheesy songs at the same time.
I’m too scared to venture out of bed in the morning because I know I will be instantly hit by a flying icicle! In all seriousness, it is really cold in my house and my housemates won’t let me turn the heating up because they can’t afford to pay the bills. The key to avoiding flying icicles is to always wear a helmet. I appreciate this would be uncomfortable to sleep in so often a hoody can be a good alternative. However it is good to heat your house in the mornings and evenings, explain to your housemates that having the heating on a low thermostat for a couple of hours in the day is extremely cost effective and will ensure you all remain warm. There can be dangers to never having the heating on, and although it is expensive it is worth saving on something else (perhaps have one less drink on a night out) in order to have the heating on occasionally. It will also mean your clothes and sheets will dry – avoiding damp smelling washing. Using the dryer will take up a lot more energy, and ultimately only your washing will be warm – not you! Want our agnoy aunt to deal with your worries? Then email iloveso@bham.ac.uk
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Illustrations by Max Rose-Fyne
Selly Oak Society - Winter Edition
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Across 5. President of the Guild (8) 8. First music professor of the University; Pomp and Circumstance (5) 11. Campus building that looks like a radiator (8) 14. Loss of power (8) 15. Legal name for someone living in a property (6) 16. Major city; main road in Selly Oak (7)
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Down 1. Practice fight; shop in the Guild (4) 2. Don’t forget to fill in an exemption form for this (7, 3) 3. Famous architect of the University (4) 4. Letting agency in the Guild (4) 6. Forced from home (8) 7. Advance downpayment on property (7) 9. Position of James Robertson (4) 10. Tells you if you’ve burnt your toast (4, 5) 12. Monthly payment (4) 13. Tallest free standing clock tower in the world (3, 3)
Selly Oak Society - Winter Edition
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SOS mag
Catriona Bell
Harborne: the Selly Oak alternative? Selly Oak is not necessarily for everyone, and it’s useful to remember that there are other options out there for students. Although most second and third year students end up in Selly Oak, if it’s not for you then there are other options. Harborne is a popular alternative and there are plenty of reasons why. Harborne is in the opposite direction from campus to Selly Oak. However in terms of distance, it is only a little further away from main campus than Selly Oak is. It offers a quieter lifestyle away from the crowds of students in Selly Oak and in more of a family-orientated area. Many residents are academics from the Univerisity, and also workers from the nearby Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Harborne offers plenty of restaurants, pubs and independent shops. It is also steeped in history. Some medical students choose to live there since it is closer to the Medical School for them. It is also popular with postgraduate students who may prefer a quieter lifestyle than Selly Oak has to offer. There are downsides to Harborne too, the main one is that most of your friends will live in Selly Oak and so being in Harborne can mean a lot of walking or high taxi fares. It is also worth bearing in mind that there is no big supermarket and so you might find yourself stuck with high cost branded food. Another inconvenience is that most of the student homes, while being close to the university, are quite far from the high street. This could mean you could have a long walk to go food shopping or to the pub. It is worth taking into consideration that Selly Oak has developed around students and so may meet more of your needs. Whatever choice you make, it pays to think about all your options before rushing into making a decision.
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Selly Oak Society - Winter Edition
Kerrina Gray
SOS mag
Housing Checklist The Selly Oak Society have come up with a checklist to help you through the housing process. Tick off as you go along and know that you are making progress towards securing where you live in your second year. 1. Decide who you want to live with
6. Attend the Housing Fair
2. Take a trip round Selly Oak, Harborne and anywhere else you are considering living
7. Plan to look round some houses
3. Decide which area you want to live in 4. Brainstorm what you want/need from a house e.g. how many bedrooms/bathrooms, do you all want double beds etc. 5. Give yourself a budget that everyone agrees to (don’t forget to factor in your deposit and possible holding fee)
8. Think about possible questions to ask before looking round 9. Refer to our ‘Top tips when looking round houses’ page before you go house hunting! 10. Look round as many houses as you possibly can 11. Don’t rush into a decision
Selly Oak Society - Winter Edition
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