Private Housing Guide 2021 - Moving In: the First Few Days

FRONT

PRIVATE HOUSING

GUIDE 2021

MOVING IN: THE FIRST FEW DAYS Before you can relax into your new home, take some time to check everything is in order once you move in. Thoroughly checking over all the documents, inventory and safety requirements now will help you in the long term.

SECTION CONTENTS Moving in checklists

DOCUMENTS TO HAVE 33

Inventory 33 Insurance 34 Safety 34 Bills 36 TV Licence 36 Council Tax 37 Deposit protection

38

If you have an Assured Shorthold Tenancy check that you have been provided with the following documents: □ A copy of the signed tenancy agreement (if there are parts crossed and amended after you’ve signed it, this is not a valid contract) □ Check-in inventory (see page 33) □ Gas safety certificate □ Energy Performance Certificate (landlords are required to achieve a minimum of an E grade) □ Prescribed deposit protection information HOW TO RENT BOOKLET The government have produced a guide for tenants and landlords to help establish each’s rights and responsibilities. Find a copy here: bit.ly/gov-how-to-rent

32

TO DO LIST Check inventory

Sort bills Internet

Submit council tax exemption

Get insurance

TV Licence Gas Electricity Water

INVENTORY Taking an inventory is a crucial first step when moving into any property. The inventory should consisit of a detailed list of items in the property, the condition they’re in and comments upon the cleanliness of the property.

Take time to ensure that the inventory process is done well – you and your landlord will need to be able to compare the condition of the property at the start and end of the tenancy. If there is a dispute any adjudicator or court will look at this evidence.

Checking the inventory When you move in, check the inventory and note any discrepancies and take photographs. You should then email the agent/landlord and state: “We moved into (address) today (date) and noted the following discrepancies” listing all of the changes.

If an inventory hasn’t been organised, you can create one yourself using a template and then send it to the landlord or agent within seven days of moving in.

Example of an inventory: Item

Condition

Lounge sofa

Not new, a few years old, worn with coffee stain on the arm

Lounge carpet

Not new, general good condition

Lounge walls

Painted a few years ago, mark by the window, dent near door frame

33

INSURANCE Landlords are responsible for insuring the building and their contents within it, however it is your responsibility to insure you personal possessions by taking out contents insurance.

Many companies offer student deals. Look out for clauses that mean your possessions are uninsured if the property is unattended for a specified period of time. Whatever you decide to do about your insurance policy, remember that no or low insurance is false economy.

SAFETY BE AWARE AND TAKE CARE London as with any large metropolitan centre can be intimidating. But do not worry, staying alert and taking the right precautions will improve your safety and allow you to enjoy everything London has to offer.

Things to think about when searching for a place to call home

Look at different routes to and from your accommodation. Ask yourself: Would this route feel safe in the day and night? Is there sufficient lighting?

Make sure you explore the area to see if you feel comfortable with it before making a decision.

Check that windows and external doors are secure and that they have adequate locks. If the property is in a building, is the building secure? Does

it feel safe in and around the property.

Does the property have smoke alarms?

Does it have a carbon monoxide detector? Is there fire exit in the property?

If the property needs any alterations to make it safe, ensure you have this written in the tenancy agreement with a specific date this work will be completed by.

Gas Safety You should ask for a copy of the current Gas Safety Certificate. Landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that all gas appliances are checked each year by a registered Gas Safe Engineer.

This ensures that your appliances are working effectively and guard against the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning which can be fatal. It is not a legal requirement for the property to have a carbon monoxide detector, but you can ask your landlord for one to be installed or you can buy your own from around £20.

34

Electrical safety Private landlords must make sure that inspections and testing are carried out on all electrical installations. These must be done before the start of your tenancy.

You can request to see the Electrical Safety Certificate from your landlord. If the landlord refuses to provide this you can contact your local council. As they are required by law to meet the Electrical Safety Standards, they can be fined if they have failed to uphold the law.

If you are a lodger in a property with a resident landlord they are not required to carry out electrical safety checks however can choose to if they would like to ensure their home is safe.

Precautions to take while residing in your property

Makes sure you lock all windows and doors before leaving your property

Get insurance for your belongings

Never leave cooking or appliances running unattended

While the risk of electric shock or electrical fire is small, look for warning signs:

Frayed, cut or damaged leads

Cracked or damaged cases on plugs or appliances

Burn marks on plugs, leads or appliances

Loose cord grips in plugs or appliances

Make sure you report any issues to your landlord right away. It is then their responsibility to ensure that the necessary electrical work is carried out.

Safety in your daily life

Keep personal belongings with you at all times

Always try to let a friend or flatmate know where you are going. Check to make sure people you have been with have arrived home safely

Be aware of scams. If a situation makes you feel uneasy, trust your instincts.

Stay alert and vigilant but most of all enjoy all that London has to offer

35

BILLS

USEFUL TIPS

All residents are jointly responsible for paying utility bills. Some landlords insist that you do not switch utility companies.

Please check before doing so and be aware of utility companies who try to persuade you to switch bills.

If you have a choice, you may prefer a monthly payment scheme so you do not receive large quarterly bills

Arrange an area where bills and correspondence can be left for each other to see

Make a note of your meter readings on the day you move in and inform the supplier as soon as you can to avoid paying for the previous tenant’s bills.

Keep records of all letters and correspondence that you have had with suppliers. When a bill comes in, pay your agreed share immediately

Consider the following:

Open a joint bank account for bills only, and each set up a standing order

Start a money pot for household essentials, e.g. loo roll, washing powder

Will you all pay the utility companies individually or will bills be split evenly?

How will you let each other know when the bill arrives and who needs to pay what?

TV LICENCE If you watch live TV, catch up service or streaming, you will need a TV licence. How you will pay for your licence will depend on the type of tenancy agreement you have.

The current licence fee is £157.50 per annum, and if you are caught without a TV Licence you could face prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.

If you are away during the summer period you may be eligible for a refund.

For more information go to: www.tvlicensing.co.uk

36

DO I NEED A LICENCE?

If you are in shared accommodation, with a TV in your room, and you have a separate tenancy agreement, you will need your own licence

If you have a joint tenancy agreement for an entire house or flat, you’ll just need one licence to cover the whole property

COUNCIL TAX

Council tax charges

Council tax is a property tax which local councils will use to maintain services within the Borough.

Students living in a property which is only occupied by full time students are exempt from paying council tax. There are a few steps which need to be taken in order for the property to be exempt from council tax.

Step 1: Find your local council. You can do this using your postcode and visiting www.gov.uk/pay-council-tax

All full time students = Full council tax exemption

Step 2: Gather the correct documents and submit them to your local council.

Each of the tenants will need to submit a Statement of Registration which can be found on your My Imperial.

The council may request your tenancy agreement. This must include all tenants’ names.

Details regarding how to submit these can be found on local council’s website. Make sure you keep copies of the documents for yourself.

One is not a full-time student = 25% Discount

You are required to pay Council Tax if one or more of the tenants are not full-time students however, you may still qualify for a discount.

If your spouse, civil partner or dependent is not a British citizen and is prevented from working or claiming benefits under the terms of their leave to remain in the UK, they will be treated as a full time student with regards to Council Tax. Keep yourself informed. Seek advice if you receive a notice relating to Council Tax or you think that you have been wrongly refused an exemption.

2 X full time students 1 X part time student 1 X non-student = Full council tax is payable

37

TENANCY DEPOSIT PROTECTION You’ve already paid your security deposit to your agent or landlord (pg 21). Now you need to confirm this has been protected. Your landlord or agent is required to provide details about how your deposit is protected within 30 days of you making the payment.

This information should include:

The address of the rented property

How much deposit you’ve paid

How the deposit is protected

The name and contact details of the TDP scheme

The landlord or agent’s name and contact details

Who is paid the deposit

Depending on the scheme, you may be given a certificate signed by the landlord or be provided with a repayment ID number. Keep this safe as you’ll need it to claim your deposit when you leave.

With your postcode, surname, tenancy start date and deposit amount, you can also contact the schemes directly (pg 26) to check if your deposit is protected.

See page 45 for how to get your deposit returned at the end of the tenancy.

38

The name and contact details of any third party

In what circumstances would some or all of the deposit be retained

How to apply to get the deposit back

What to do if you can’t get hold of the landlord at the end of the tenancy

What to do if there’s a dispute over the deposit